Читать книгу Sinbad: Rogue of Mars - John Garavaglia - Страница 44

CHAPTER FOUR

AN UNJUST KING IS LIKE A

RIVER WITHOUT WATER

Sinbad walked behind Tarkhun, flanked by several armed guards. Entering the throne room, the guards split apart, opening a path for Sinbad to walk alone. He strode with a purposeful gait, not breaking pace, and proceeded to the center.

The chamber was vast and was filled with interesting antiquities throughout the far reaches of the universe. It was decorated with Martian sigils, galleries and other trappings of the court. There were plenty of candles and lanterns, but they were not illuminated. But if they were, the bright ember would create a large circle of light in the enormous space. There were also rich tapestries on the polished paneled walls, deep rugs on the ivory floor, and with the lofty ceiling adorned with intricate carvings and silver scrollwork. The floor, ceiling and walls were highly polished and gleamed dully, and they were carved with the figures of Akhdar’s ancestors and half-forgotten gods.

Whoever designed this room like this must have an eye for beauty of Allah Himself, thought Sinbad.

What stood out the most was a mammoth jade statue of the six-armed Kali that loomed over Akhdar and Aella.

Sinbad looked wary at the giant idol. It stared back at him ominously, as if it were to spring to life at any second.

There she was standing before him.

Kali, the Black One.

The consort of Lord Shiva.

Hindu goddess of time and change, but mostly death.

Sinbad hadn’t seen the accursed idol since his journey through Marabia. He and his crew had to engage in combat against a reanimated statue of Kali. And they also had to contend with a one-eyed centaur.

SINBAD: ROGUE OF MARS

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