Page 57 (1/2)

This end of the tomb smells fresher because in the oracle’s cha to people outside Five la a table set with a basin and pitcher, a stack of books atop a wooden chest, and a curtained bed where the oracle must be seated, hidden from the mourners

One of the bed curtains stirs I stiffen, holding ers brush through a slit in the curtains, probing from the inside

She sees me I know it A wave of dizzy fear makes me sway

The oracle speaks in a whisper like the scratch of a poisoned thorn

"The tale begins with a death Where will it end? There could be a victory, a birth, a kiss, or another death There ht fall fire upon the City of the Dead, upon the to adversary Poisonheart ht be a esI stu the clammy skin of Lord Ottonor’s dead hand with my oeat breaks down my back A pulse pounds in my ears and I am not sure if it is my own or that of the spark that animates the corpse’s chest Maybe the oracle’s heart beats in ti

I cannot think

At the archway that leads out frolance desperately back toward the five attendants, realizing I have lost my only chance to try to communicate with them, just to h teeth like a snake giving warning before it strikes, Gira drags h the outer chaulp of fresh air I see the blue sky unfolding above A sob knots in my throat, but I keep it down in my heart where itcorpse as we return through the city to Garon Palace

The training stable gate with its horned and winged fire dog greets us like a refuge

It is already late afternoon as ash up with the ritual prayers Many servants ree repast to celebrate the dead s we receive in the stable are the nificent feast I have ever laid eyes on None of Father’s victory feasts nor any of the social engageered-orange quail, date-stuffed chicken, wine-soaked beef, white fish garnished with almonds and saffron, salted eel, barley cooked with herbs and onions, honey cakes, and enough beer to drown a city

I force myself to place a moist honey cake onin the tomb?" My voice quavers I am afraid they will say yes, but I am even more afraid they will say no

"No, but it sure s up her nose "Why do you ask?"

"No, thank the gods" Shorty cuts her off "And I’ll thank you not to repeat the question"