Free The Seventh Gate (The Seven Citadels ) by Geraldine Harris Page B

hate the sea, so I am forced to
cage my poor Shageesa, or she would drown trying to escape. I fear she may
disturb your sleep by hissing and beating against the bars.”
    “And how long is it after each voyage
before she forgives you?” asked Kerish.
    “Her temper will be villainous for a day or
two,” answered the Khan, “and I shall be forced to coax her with live dainties
. . . ah, that reminds me. Little Princess, my wife wants you to travel with her
on the second ship, at least for part of the way. She didn't command you, so
neither shall I. You can stay with your lover if you like . . . That's better,”
O-grak chuckled. “A little color in your cheeks makes you easier to see.”
    “The Princess will remain with us,” said
Forollkin, no longer bothering to take offence, but Kerish intervened. “It
would be a kindness to go, if only for a day.”
    Startled by the entreaty in the Prince's
eyes, Gwerath found herself saying, “Yes.”
    “Now don't scowl so, Forollkin,” said
O-grak, “or you'll tempt her to go back on her royal word. You won't lack for
company with your silver-tongued brother, your charming Forgite, and an angry
snake to talk to.”
    Ignoring the interested stares of O-grak
and his men, Forollkin kissed Gwerath briefly on the lips before he allowed her
to be escorted to the second ship.
    “Now,” said the Khan, “for your homecoming.”
     
    *****
     
    The ships of Oraz hugged the coast of Az
for three days but on the fourth they sailed out round the island of Gant, for the
straits were impassable. The fire giant was angry and strove to reach his rival
more fiercely than ever. O-grak told his prisoners that such an eruption was
thought to signify that the Goddess had left the temple and was walking unseen
through her lands.
    “And is that a good omen?” Forollkin had
asked.
    “With a goddess, who can tell until after
the event?” Smiling, O-grak had gone on to talk of the mysteries of women, with
no encouragement from anyone but Gidjabolgo.
    As the Khan had foretold, Shageesa did
disturb the prisoners but it was only the worst of many noises. They were
separated from the main part of the hold merely by the thickness of a hide
curtain and the guards were always close, so they had no real privacy. For the
first time Forollkin began to feel the grimness of their captivity. Kerish
seemed to need no reminder. He spent hours by Shageesa's cage, watching the
serpent fling herself against the bars, desperately trying to find a weak
place. It was some time before Forollkin realized that Kerish was not
mesmerized by the snake but simply aware that the noise would cover a whispered
conversation, even when their guards were only paces behind.
    At the first opportunity, he asked why
Kerish had wanted Gwerath to stay with O-grak's wife. Shageesa thrashed against
the door of the cage and Forollkin flinched, but the bars held.
    “I want them to be friends,” murmured
Kerish. “The Khan's wife could be a valuable ally.”
    Forollkin snorted. “She's too meek to hiss
at a butterfly. What use could she possibly be?”
    Kerish's eyes remained fixed on the furious
snake. “Also, she needs help and comfort.”
    “And there was I,” exclaimed Forollkin, “foolishly
thinking that it was us who needed help!”
    Kerish smiled wearily. “Perhaps we're
beyond it. Helping Neeris may do us no good, but at least it shows we still
have some freedom of choice.”
     
    *****
     
    A high wind that night caused the three
ships to anchor in a cove on the eastern coast of Gant. Since they would be
there until morning, O-grak gave permission for the Galkians to be escorted to
the second ship to fetch Gwerath.
    The Princess of the Sheyasa was seated
opposite Neeris, playing a board game which she had quickly mastered and was
now winning for the third time in succession. The Khan's wife dropped all pretense
of concentration and urged Gwerath to tell her more about Seld. The Princess
moved a piece shaped like an axe