Station, стр. 86
Glen cut in. "Is that your message? That The Krownis happy Hadder is alive? You're wasting all of our time."
The Riser turned quickly to Glen, so fast thatHadder's hand went to the knife in this belt. "No, plain man. Thatis not the message; that is a sentiment. The message is this. TheKrown invites you, and however many residents you want to a meetingat the Samsara. Early this Haela. He has one last proposition foryou. One last chance to save your weak lives."
Glen looked to Hadder. "An obvious trap."
"That's why I don't think it's a trap."
"It's no trap, stupid Setters. My king, althoughall-powerful, has a weakness for the people of Station. He wants togrant all residents one last chance to join him, to free themselvesof these suffocating walls, and show the world the next evolutionin mankind. You owe your people one last option. After all, that iswhat your ethos is based on, is it not? Freedom of choice? Let themhear the offer straight from The Krown's mouth. After that, we cancommence with war."
Hadder stepped forward, stopped just in front of theRiser. "Is that all?"
"That is all, Marlin Hadder."
Hadder seized the woman by the throat, squeezinguntil her dark eyes went wide. "If this is a trick or some otherghastly display, I'm going to put a knife between those fuckingshark eyes of yours." He released, and the woman coughed through abruised windpipe. "Tell The Krown I'll be there, with any otherswho choose to come. Now get this bitch away from me."
Hadder and Glen watched as the Riser was escortedfrom the lawn. "This is a mistake, Hadder."
"The Krown is confident he'll win this war.Assassinating Royal and me was one thing. But he won't want to lookweak to his followers. And a cheap trick would do just that. No, hewants to gloat. He wants to instill fear in those of us who willface him, weaken our resolves before he drops the ax."
"Then why go?"
"Because I think he might fuck up. Plus, we're deadanyway, Glen. What could it hurt?"
CHAPTER 26
Almost two hundred residents crossed theBridge Gab'Riel with Hadder and Glen after the onset of Haela.While many wanted to trek with a full arsenal, Hadder talked theanxious group out of this approach. He was confident that The Krownwas merely using this meeting as the last opportunity to strikefear into the hearts of those he was soon to conquer, enslave, anddestroy. Coming to this gathering armed would merely incite abattle, one the Setters would surely lose.
Hadder heard the grumbling behind him as the groupwalked. Most were against accepting The Krown's invitation, butsomething nagged at the base of Hadder's skull, urging him to visitthe Risers one last time before the Great War, allowing residentsto truly see who it was they were up against.
"I sure hope you know what you're doing," said Glenas they made the final turn into the path that would empty into theSamsara clearing, passing the onyx statue of the man raising hisfists to the heavens. In this moment, the figure had added meaningand impact.
"I don't know what I'm doing, Glen. But I know thisis what needs to be done."
Hadder had spent the remainder of the Solay rollingthe potentials of this meeting over in his mind. From what he couldgather, the conference would have a two-pronged effect for TheKrown. First, he would terrify the Setting one last time, makingsword arms quake and knees wobble at the thought of the Riserinvasion. Second, he may gain new converts through scare tactics.Hadder had to continually remind himself that The Krown was playingat a more ambitious game, one that entailed venturing out into thewider world and bringing chaos to that hurtful land. To accomplishthat, The Krown would need to minimize losses and take significantnumbers into the Before.
What Hadder was unable to calculate was how TheKrown could possibly dishearten the residents who accompanied himto the assembly. What could be said that wasn't already said? Whatcould be done that hadn't already been seen or spoken of?
As Hadder and Glen crossed into the Samsaraclearing, he quickly had his answer. And it turned his stomach andshot pins into his heart.
Tied to the Samsara's glistening black bark withrough rope stood a wet Lilly Sistine, her arms pinned to her sides.She violently shook her head to break free, liquid shooting fromher long hair. A hundred Risers stood behind the Samsara, manyholding torches that lit the clearing with an eerie glow. The Krownstood on the white sand just to the right of Lilly, his massivearms crossed over his enormous chest. Although he remained quiet,his jade eyes laughed at Hadder and the pain that was evident onthe man's fallen face. Next to The Krown stood the Riser femalefrom earlier; Hadder could imagine the smug smile she wore underher leather mask.
Amidst her struggles, Lilly spotted Hadder as hecame to a stop in the clearing. Her red eyes went wide. "Hadder!Please! Help me!"
Without thinking, Hadder moved forward, a knee-jerkreaction to a friend in need, but was stopped by Glen's firm handon his chest and two other residents holding down each of his arms.Hadder looked to his friend, desperation welling up behind hiseyes. Glen shook his head. "She made her choice, brother. RememberRoyal. He didn't have that opportunity. Lilly stole it fromhim."
Hadder stopped fighting his restrainers, and insteadshot an angry glare at The Krown. A disconcerting quiet fell overthe clearing, only the sounds of hissing torches and a pleadingLilly Sistine preventing total silence. Hadder quickly grew tiredof this standoff.
"You called this meeting, Riser," called Hadder."Say your piece and let us be on our way. We have a war to preparefor."
The Krown smiled. "Always one to cut to the chase,aren't you, Marlin Hadder. Never one to understand the power oftheatrics."
"Is that what this is? I thought you had a message.Or was I misinformed by your walking bird-bitch?"
"The theatrics is the message, Setter fool.But since you want to play obtuse, I'll spell it out for you. Andwhen I say you, know that I am speaking to all of youSetters who stand here this Haela.