Now Zyung’s eyes shed their gleam upon Lavanyia. “What of our prisoners?”
“None of those on Morovanga survived its sinking,” she said. “Yet we have gathered some five thousand from the highlands of the lesser islands. All have pledged themselves and their families to serve the Living Empire. I have dispatched three Lesser Seraphim to remain here and construct a temple. When this is done, a new King of the Jade Isles will be chosen from the survivors to rule in the name of the Almighty. As for the forces that supported Khama’s resistance, all were burned, drowned, or devoured by Trills. Our foes died bravely, if stupidly.”
Zyung nodded and turned his gaze to Gulzarr. “And how fare our alchemies?”
“Our stores are not in the least depleted, Celestial One,” answered Gulzarr.
“Seven hundred vats of liquid fire remain untouched,” added Darisha. “And the oarsmen we lost to the Feathered Serpent’s sorcery mean extra elixir for the rest of them. When we reach the mainland we can gather ingredients to produce more. We hope to set up a foundry with the building of the new Holy Mountain.”
Zyung asked Myrinhama for details of the surviving slaves’ distribution. She summarized the dispersion of the oarsmen plucked from the wreckage of the lost dreadnoughts. Their strength would ease the burden on ships whose oarsmen were reaching the end of their short lives. The drugs that gave them inhuman vigor tended to shorten their natural lifespans, and the journey across the Outer Sea had been their most taxing service yet. Still, Myrinhama assured the Almighty that more than enough healthy oarsmen remained to reach the mainland, where a few days of rest would restore their vitality.
The other four Seraphim spoke of minor shipboard matters, confirming what their lord must already know. Again Zyung’s blazing eyes turned to Sungui, but there was no question for her. At least, none put into words.
“We sail at once for the ruins of Shar Dni,” announced Zyung. “There we will crush our enemies and build the seat of the Extended Empire. Iardu the Shaper gathers forces against us, a handful of Old Breed who remain defiant. We will cast them down as we did the Feathered Serpent. This was no true battle, but an act of deliberate insolence. A symbol of the true resistance we must soon face. Spread my word across the armada, as you are accustomed to doing. We will meet again when the mainland shore has been secured. Go now, all of you, to consult your captains.”
The ten Seraphim bowed as one and turned to leave.
“Sungui, remain,” said Zyung. “I will speak with you in confidence.”
Sungui resumed her place of attention, ignoring the jealous glance of Lavanyia as she departed. The great doors closed, leaving Sungui alone with the Almighty.
This would be the true test of Ianthe’s power. If she could screen Sungui’s thoughts from Zyung’s all-knowing gaze, it must be now. Perhaps he already knew of Sungui’s verbal and mental treachery. This could be the day of her execution.
Her body began to change, almost instinctively morphing toward her more dutiful male incarnation. Her jaw began to pulse and lengthen as her chest grew smaller and muscle mass began its expansion.
“No,” said Zyung, his voice a drum in her ears. “Maintain your female aspect, Sungui the Venomous. That is what they call you?”
She reversed the flow of her unbidden power, mastering her body once again, reinforcing her female nature and eliminating the masculinity that had begun to manifest. In a matter of seconds she was once more fully female. Her eyes studied the floor of living wood. Her bare feet upon it connected her with the Ethus Tree below, and she drew upon its deep calm to fortify her own.
“Some have named me that, Lord,” she admitted. “A testament to my fierceness in both aspects, I am sure.”
Zyung smiled. She was not looking at his face, but she felt the smile.
“Your duality is the core of your nature, child,” he said.
I am as ancient as you are.
No, hide that thought. Think only of his greatness and your worthiness to serve him.
That is what he wants from you. Nothing else.
Silence hung between them. She feared him enough not to break it. Perhaps he was reading her mind in that very moment. He might do this without ever alerting her to his presence.
“Sungui.” He said her name again, this time with a deep tenderness. Like the lazy thunder that still rolls when storm has departed. Or perhaps it was the sound of thunder looming in the distance, heralding the approach of the true storm.
“I know that you seek to betray me,” said the Almighty.
Sungui’s legs grew weak. She nearly fell. Her breath stopped for a second.
She would face obliteration with bravery, defiant as she had lived. If she must.