Page 22 (1/2)
He hastened along the track, ignoring the preternatural mists that closed in around hiate, the clefts and crags of the East Tahlyn Hills disappeared entirely, theto reveal a featureless, stony plain beneath a sickly sky Further out on the plain sat a ragged hide tent, s hurried towards it
Chest labouring, the artisan crouched down before the entrance and scratched on the flap covering it
A ragged cough sounded from within, then a voice rasped, ’Enter,crawled in Thick, acrid smoke assaulted his eyes, nostrils and throat, but after his first breath a cool nu his head lowered and eyes averted, Munug stopped just within the entrance, and waited
’You are late,’ the god said, wheezing with each breath
’Soldiers on the trail, master-’
’Did they discover it?’
The artisan smiled down at the dirty rushes of the tent floor ’No They searched my pack, as I knew they would, but notheard a scrape as the brazier was drawn across the floor Seeds popped on its coals, and the smoke thickened ’Show me’
The artisan reached into the folds of his threadbare tunic and drew forth a thick, book-sized package He unwrapped it to reveal a stack of wooden cards Head still lowered and working blind, Munug pushed the cards towards the god, splaying theod’s breath catch, then a soft rustle When it spoke again the voice was closer ’Flaws?’
’Aye, master One for each card, as you instructed’
’Ah, this pleases es of pain and iuish They assault the eye and bleed the heart More, I see chronic loneliness in such faces as you have fashioned within the scenes’ Dry amusement entered its tone ’You have painted your own soul, mortal’
’I have known little happiness, od hissed ’Nor should you expect it! Not in this life, not in the thousand others you are doo you have suffered enough to have earned it!’
’I beg that there be no release inmumbled
’Lies You dreaold that you believe will achieve it, and you mean to prostitute your talent to achieve yet more -- do not deny this,here in these ies Fear not, such emotions amuse me, for they are the paths to despair’