The Crystal Keepers, An Overseers Novel
Page 49
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Noya listened as Tannis laid out his plans. “Good, it seems like you’ve given this a lot of thought.”
“This way, if one group is attacked, the other group can step in and help,” Tannis offered.
“That’s a good idea. Have you decided who is going, besides you and Katarina?”
“Yes, but there needs to be more than six. I’m not certain, Noya, but there might be a traitor among us.”
Her face lit up with surprise so he proceeded to explain about the suspicious behavior he had observed with Anton, of late. He mentioned the Brethren that he saw at the gate and the concern showed on her face as she listened intently.
“I’d like to take six others, besides Katarina and myself. Maybe I can flush him out and get him to reveal his true identity.”
“Do you think that’s wise, taking him on such a critical assignment?
“It couldn’t be a better opportunity.”
“Who do you plan to take?”
“Simon, Zack, Geoffrey, Pria, Anton, and James. And, of course, Katarina and myself.”
Noya nodded. “Those are good choices.”
“I will tell them tonight and we leave at first light.”
“Fine. Be careful, Tannis. Keep the light around you and watch your back.”
“I will.”
FIFTY TWO
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Brethren of Darkness
Desert
“But I haven’t had to make the Sound Eating Fog for many, many years,” wheezed Hector.
“Check it anyway,” ordered Draevil.
Hector limped to the shelves. From a shelf about midway up, in the corner, he pulled out a jar and set it aside. Then he bent over to get the one behind it. As he did, he noticed that the dust, which had accumulated on the shelves for years, had a mark in it as if the rear jar had slid forward.
“Hmmm. Perhaps you’re right.”
Draevil stepped closer as Hector pulled his hand back and studied the jar itself before he touched it. Then he reached for it, as gently as his pudgy fingers would allow, grabbed it near the bottom and set it on the table where he could observe it in better light.
It was a dark brown glass jar, with a wide base and a narrow neck. The base contained a good coating of dust, creating a dull surface, except where a few marks had revealed shinier glass as if someone had recently handled it. Hector lifted off the top and looked inside. He poured some of the contents into his hand and examined the granular substance. He raised his hand to his nose and sniffed. Then with his tongue he took a quick taste.
He looked at Draevil, unsure of what reaction he was going to get.
“Well?” pressed Draevil.
“Salt,” muttered Hector. “It has been replaced with rock salt.”
He watched the expression on Draevil’s face change and he visibly flinched when the irises of Draevil’s eyes turned as black as his pupils.