Nephyl's Heritage:  Latest (Part Ⅹ)

The eldest, Andar Movore, knelt over Milini’s small frame as other senior diviners hovered about. There was no chatter or twittering among them whatsoever. For them to lose their Oracle at a time like this only meant that something horrible was brewing. In a low and cracking voice, he spoke, “Sandanchan, please summon forth a messenger party. I fear we have no other way of contacting Midarra otherwise. Tell them to ignore any members of the Plateau. This is strictly the business of the Divinorium.”

“Yes, m’lord.” Sandanchan’s young and fluid voice was stark in contrast to Andar’s any day of the week. Were it any other week, at least two diviners would start twitting about it, for they rarely, if ever, gave Andar any rest about his age.

Reflections of candlelight reflected off of the huge bald spot in the middle of Andar’s head, adorning it with almost a crown of light. The crown stayed on Andar’s brow for only a moment as he turned away in the direction of his office.

“Adin, take care of this, and be sure to find a discreet undertaker.” Adin’s large frame bent toward the lifeless girl and placed her carefully over his shoulder as if she were a very fragile sack of wheat. Or barley. Or any other grain that alcohol could be made from. An undertaker wouldn’t be a problem, but one with a mouth could make all kinds of trouble. Perhaps it would be best to get the best of both worlds; find one who could be trusted, and take his tongue anyway.

Adin climbed the stairs leading to one of several low towers that encircled the Heart and the Eye. Someone long ago thought up these ‘Eyelashes’ to house the growing number of diviners, from some time long past. The low buildings were arranged in such a manner that they were supposed to make the great dome actually look like an eye. The architects certainly were gifted, but the final effect was never achieved. How is it that eyelashes are shorter than the iris? Which, in hospitaler terms, was a more accurate term for the Heart of the Eye.

Having reached his destination, a small, quiet corner of one of the outlying wings, Adin opened the door and lay Milini upon the down bed there. Her body would keep until the funeral.