Continued from S3-4-1: Call of the Hungry Whisperer. “Teshwan has granted us a great boon!” Even in a whisper, Capello’s excitement was unmistakable. “For him to have come here, to Oberlorn… It must be a sign of that we have pleased the Dukes of Hell!” Huddled around the table with him, Narre, Nykira and Verga tried to conceal their excitement as well, as they stole glances toward the pair of strangers that had arrived that afternoon; a fair-haired and bearded, handsome man garbed in a deep red tunic and his companion… a Dragon Lord! “We must be careful,” Verga insisted. “We can not be seen consorting with him. It will raise suspicions we can not afford.” Like her brother, she saw great opportunities in enticing a Melnibonean into their cult, but she knew that the city guard, the priest of Law and especial their father, would be watching his ever movement. Despite the size of Oberlorn, a Dragon Lord would hardly go unnoticed! Yet there was one particular opportunity that crept forward from the back of her mind, which eclipsed even her sense of caution. “I know the risks,” Capello scolded her. “But we can not refuse the gift Teshwan has put before us. We must act. We must embrace him… and give thanks to the Hungry Whisperer! We meet tomorrow night.” Then he looked to Nykira. He had insisted that Narre lure her into the cult, just so that he could have her. But she continued to reject his advances. So if she would not be his, he would give her to Teshwan… As a sacrifice! “You will go to him tonight,” he commanded, “and do all that you must to entice him to join us.” Nykira was shocked by Capello’s order. She knew he wanted her for himself, but, outside the ceremonies of the cult, she had refused him time and again; so this was his punishment… to whore her to the Dragon Lord. But, as she looked at him across the room, her heart began to race, and she nodded her acceptance. From across the common room, Rynard noticed the covert stares of the quartet, as well as those of others from all around them. Many were curious, some nearly awestruck, and a few were flirtatious, but most were scornful, even hostile. Yet Syn seem oblivious to them all. “As popular as ever,” he remarked jovially as he took a draft from his tankard of stout, noting Syn’s response of a sly smile and raised eyebrow. He had become accustomed to the public contempt, and private allure, of associating with someone who invoked both fear and fascination, but the conservative Oberlornians seem particularly spiteful that their orderly little world had been distrupted. Yet he sensed an under current of rebelliousness in the air; like they were just waiting for an excuse to throw off the oppressive facades and revel in the things forbidden by their all too proper decorum. He looked to Syn, who had returned to the silent brooding that seemed to consume him since they left the House of Stars; parting with Blade. In the years they had wandered the Young Kingdoms together, they had lost many companions, mostly to death, but Syn never mourned. He was not human, and despite the times he seemed to act out of humanity, Rynard knew there was none in him, and as foolhardy as he was, he knew better then to try and peer into a Dragon Lord’s soul. To be continued on S3-4-3: Lure of the Siletah. The second installment in the fourth book of my Stormbringer characters' adventures. Thanks for looking... Hope you enjoy! Comments and suggestions always welcome and appreciated.