The sun had just gone down; the artificial lights of the temple
had not yet been turned on. Overhead, the great storm-cloud hung
portentously, even more ominous than in the brighter light. The
huge waterspout columns, the terrific size of the auditorium, were
none the less impressive for the incalculable horde that filled
every bit of floor space. At the front of the building the archway
gave a glimpse of the vastly greater throng waiting outside.
But all was quiet, with the silence of reverence and supreme
expectation.
The long flight of stairs was lined on either side, from bottom to
top, with the Rhamdas. On the landing there stood only two of the
three chairs that Chick had seen on the previous occasion. The
green one had been brought down and placed in the centre of an
open spot just at the foot of the stairs.
In this chair sat the Bar Senestro. Deployed about him, at a
respectful distance, was a semi-circle of the Bars, many hundreds
in number. Behind the Bars, separating them from the crowds at
their backs, were grouped the crimson and blue guardsmen. Among
them, no doubt, were the Jan Lucar and the MacPherson, but Chick
could locate neither.
The Nervina, taking Harry's arm, ascended the steps. Chick
followed, with the Rhamda Geos at his side. At the top of the
flight the Nervina was escorted to one of the chairs, while Chick
placed the Geos in the other.
Pages:
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411