Rudolph edged slowly from the room, making sure not to present his back to the Anointed Lord. Once beyond the chamber he descended through the many levels of Scholten until he was far below the foundations of the cathedral. In a corridor lined with cells he stopped at a particular door and slid back the viewing hatch. The stench that poured from the room beyond made him take a step back. For a moment he thought that the creature within had died, but then there was a wet sound as it left its water trough and approached the door.
"Prepare yourself to meet the Anointed Lord," Rudolph piously informed the prisoner.
He couldn't be sure but the sound that came in response sounded almost like a laugh.
Chapter Two
The blast of spray and the wind in his face made Silus struggle for breath as he fought with the boom. The boat leaned hard to port. One of the morning's catch took advantage of the motion to leap free of its bucket and belly-flop on the deck, before the boat lurched again and sent the fish back into the sea.
"Alright, you can have that one," Silus shouted at the waves.
He lodged the catch bucket against a bench, wrapped his right hand in a rope, pulled hard and hauled the Ocean Lily back on course. There was a lull then and Silus took advantage of the brief respite to lash everything down. He looked up at the clouds and considered casting out one more time, but the flicker of lightning and the kiss of warm rain convinced him that he was done for the day.
The lights of Nurn shone weakly through the mist but Silus managed to guide his boat back by the light of the beacon that blazed on the farthest sea wall. People had already begun to gather at the harbour, hurrying to get the best of the catch.
Katya caught the rope that Silus threw to her and together they moored the boat.
"Any gemfish Silus?" called one of the punters.