Free The Bloodstained God (Book 2) by Tim Stead

for word. He spoke slowly and clearly.
     
    “I am Narak,” he said. “I have travelled from the great forest which lies north of Telas. In that land I am called the Wolf, and men serve me and do me honour. I have come to the Isles to speak with you, Sei Mun, and the words that I speak carry two messages. The first is a warning. The dark ships that have swept by your coast in months just past are the ships of a people who worship a god called Seth Yarra. This god tells them that all men must worship as they do, build as they do, farm as they do, dress as they do. Indeed the say that all men should do all things in their manner. They have come to make war on those who do otherwise. Now they fight the men of the north, but when they are done, if they should win, they will next come to the Isles, and with sword and fire they will remake them in their own way.
     
    “The second message is a plea for help. There have been wars before between the men of the north, the Telans, and the warriors of the Isles. The Telans now stand with Seth Yarra, and in their foolishness fight against their northern kin. I ask that Sei Mun consider this and in his wisdom side against Seth Yarra, and join the other men of these lands in resisting the tyranny of thought that Seth Yarra brings. It is our common interest that we be free to live in the way we see fit, and so I do honour to your ways, and in doing so honour my own, and defy the tyranny of Seth Yarra.
     
    “I seek audience with Sei Mun. I seek alliance.”
     
    He finished speaking, and as Narala had schooled him he took the herald’s hand from his chest, putting it on the man’s own chest. He bowed, an inclination of the head, and walked away. So it was that messages to the kings of the Green Isles must be sent.
     
    He walked to Narala who was waiting for him, anxiety written on her face like a mother who takes her child to school on the first day.
     
    “It is done.” He said. “Now we wait?”
     
    “Yes, Deus. Now we wait. There should be a reply in three days, if at all. It is gracious of you to be so patient.”
     
    “I want these people as friends, Narala, not vassals. I shall be guided by you.”
     
    They walked back towards the small house. It was one in a sea of similar dwellings, and he could not help feeling that a good breeze would blow them all away. Without Narala he would have had to rely on his sense of smell to find it. So many waited here, either to deliver their messages or waiting for an answer, that the island seemed a small town. There was even a market where provisions could be bought, and stalls that sold food ready cooked. The food had unfamiliar smells, and Narak was enticed again by memories of his previous visits. There must yet be spices and flavours to be discovered here.
     
    “Narala, have you lost your dog?”
     
    A fat man, resplendent in a blue silk robe, barred their path. His face was quite as dark as hers, and glistened with sweat. He seemed out of breath. There was a modest retinue of retainers at his back, including two muscular men who carried swords. Narak studied them with casual interest. The blades were more curved that those common in the north, even more curved than his own, and they were carried naked, tucked into a cloth belt without a sheath.
     
    “The wolf has gone, Salis Petraya,” she replied. She stepped aside, allowing Narak and the fat man to face each other. “This is my lord, Narak, prince of the great forest. My lord, this is Salis Petraya, a great and powerful merchant from the southern Isles.”
     
    “Prince of a forest? I have never met a prince of a forest. Tell me, Narak, who do you rule over? Trees?”
     
    “Mostly,” Narak replied. Salis laughed, his whole body shaking with it beneath the silk, and his retinue smiled among themselves and exchanged glances.
     
    “Well, we don’t have many trees here, not like your slow northern trees. They are good for many purposes. Perhaps we can do