she added, 'I think Earl could have offered himself for sacrifice.'
Chapter Ten
The man with cancer was Nakam Stura, a merchant, he explained and, from his clothing, Dumarest guessed he had been successful. The robe covered soft fabrics of expensive weaves and he wondered why the man hadn't used his wealth to buy medical treatment.
'We all follow the Wheel.' Stura answered his unspoken question. 'The Mother knows what is best. To fight against what is to be is to act the child. Better to accept with dignity and to serve as one is able. As you chose to do, my friend. As Pollonia and Reigan. In submission lies contentment.'
They waited in a room to which a priest had guided them. One with bare stone walls and a floor of tessellated segments of black and amber. Light shone from sources beyond tinted panes: a luminous glow enhanced by the minute flames of vigil lights set before various places on the walls. Reigen knelt before one, hands clasped, head lowered, words a soft mumble as he prayed before the stylized depiction of a quartered circle. A man like the woman, old, drawn, his face ravaged by time. One with eyes lost in a vision of things Dumarest couldn't discern.
'He lives only for the Mother,' said Stura. 'Always he has longed for her embrace.'
As had they all-if they were what they purported to be.
Dumarest edged away, sensing danger, not knowing when a word or remark would reveal him for what he was. Lauter, big, solemn, sat to one side, his face blank, eyes glazed as if lost in a world of his own. Dietz, small, restless, paced to one side. He slowed as he caught Dumarest's eye and turned to concentrate on a vigil light, the round, blotched circle it illuminated.
Sanchez said, softly, 'How long are we supposed to wait here?'
He had drifted close and spoke without looking at Dumarest but, even so, he was being unwise. As he had been willful when dedicating himself to the Temple. He should have followed Altini; instead, greed for loot had made him ignore the plan.
Now he said, 'We could break out. Grab a few of the priests and find out what they know. Gather what we can and get on with what we came to do.'
Dumarest said, 'The Mother is merciful.'
'What?'
'If you have sinned then there will be forgiveness.'
'Earl-'
'Be patient.' Dumarest glanced at the ceiling, the tinted panes, the frieze cut into the wall of the chamber. Who knew who could be watching? Listening to every word? In a whisper he added, 'Act the part you chose to play. Settle down. Pray. Look blank and wait. Damn you, wait!'
Beyond the chamber there would be ceremonies under way. Priests busy with the function of the Temple. The worshipers who would leave needed to be attended to-those who had dedicated themselves could be left for a time. He sat, hearing the soft mumble of Reigan's voice. Pollonia sighing as she sat in an apparent trance. Even the merchant was silent, head lowered, chin resting on his chest.
What would happen if he should change his mind and buy the treatment which would save his life?
A question Dumarest knew he dare not ask. He leaned back, shoulders against the wall, forcing himself to relax as he had done so often before when waiting to enter the arena. He drifted into a calming detachment during which his powers were conserved and vital energies husbanded.
In his mind he saw the model of the Temple, the plans of its interior. Guesses, but better than nothing and, so far, they had confirmed Karlene's memory. The great entrance doors, the altar, the passage which must have lain beyond, the one they had followed to this room-a chamber set on a lower level; others would adjoin it. Halls, more chambers, more passages. Places where she had worked and others where those serving the Temple had eaten, cooked, slept. A lot of people, a lot of rooms-but still the inner chambers posed a mystery.
How long had it been?
Dumarest glanced at the chronometer strapped to his wrist; an instrument which was more than it seemed. Time had moved faster than he had guessed and he inhaled, filling his lungs with air drawn through his nose, catching a pungent sweetness, a hint of acridity. Incense and something else, a truth-inducing vapor of some kind, perhaps, if they were under test it would be natural.
Lauter must have scented it too. He rumbled and sat upright and snorted as if to clear his nose. Rising, he crossed the room and checked the door. It resisted his pressure.
To Dumarest he whispered, 'I don't like this. We're in a cage. The air stinks and I've the feeling trouble's on its way.'
'So?'
'Why wait for it? We've got to do something.'
Dumarest said, softly, 'Use your head, man. We're outnumbered by the priests. We don't know where the treasure lies. We don't even know the way out and, even if we did, where would we go?'
'But!'
'They have to make the first move. Until then we wait.' He added, 'And watch Sanchez. He's as jumpy as you are.'
As Dietz could be but, if so, he didn't show it. A gambler who had learned to mask his features. An assassin who knew that he could be his own worst enemy. He glanced at Dumarest as if about to speak, then changed his mind as the door swung open.
Girls like angels stepped into the room.
They were young, lithe, nubile, neatly dressed in gowns which fell to just below the knee. Each had the left shoulder bared and on the soft flesh the imprint of a tattoo shone in reflected splendor. Each bore a tray on which rested a bowl, a plate, a steaming cup.
'Food.' Sanchez smiled at the girl who proffered him her tray. 'At least they aren't going to starve us. And what of you, my dear? Are you also a gift of the Mother?'
A fool, careless with his tongue, Dumarest saw the stiffening of Stura's face, the expression in Pollonia's eyes. Only Reigan, lost in his private world, seemed not to have noticed.
'All things are gifts of the Mother.' The girl lifted her tray. 'Eat so as to gain strength to serve her.'
'And after?'
'Eat!' Dumarest took the tray from the girl and thrust it into the fighter's hands. To the girl he said, 'How long must we wait before we can serve?'
'The ceremonies are almost over. When the worshipers have left, the priests will come for you.' Her hand reached out and rested on his own. 'You are strong and that is good. You must stay strong for the Mother needs you. Now eat and be patient.'
The bowl held a thin stew composed of stringy fibers which could have been meat together with an assortment of vegetables. The plate bore a portion of hard, dark, gritty bread. The cup held hot water into which herbs had been infused.
'Today is a special day,' said the girl who had given Dumarest his tray. 'And so we eat the feast of celebration.'
'Will you share it with me?' He read the answer in her eyes. 'Here.'
He watched as she spooned up the stew and dug sharp teeth into the bread. Not drugged, then, or if it was she didn't know it. And there was no mistaking her pleasure. He remembered what Ellen Contera had told him and wondered if the girl thought she was eating rare and expensive viands, drinking fine and special wine.
'Where will the priests take us?' Dumarest smiled as she stared at him. 'After the meal,' he urged. 'Where will we go?'
'Down toward the inner chambers.'
'And?' As she didn't answer, he said, 'Do all those who dedicate themselves to the Temple go down to the inner chambers?'
'Of course. The old and flawed and those who are ill.' She glanced at Pollonia. 'Those who seek comfort and to rest. And the strong.' Her eyes met his own. 'Those who are not young.'
'What is down there?' He saw the sudden blankness of her eyes. 'Do you know? Can you tell me?' Then,
