The silence that fell over the black glass dais was heavier than the eighty feet of mountain rock hanging above their heads.
Ren Prime stared at the massive uncial script running across the center of the dragon-hide. The letters, glowing with the dark crimson heat of dragon-blood burning acid, seemed to writhe beneath his gaze like coiled vipers trapped in amber.
Scribe Ren began to read aloud. His voice was no longer that of a cynical, arrogant court forger. It was the flat, horrified flat voice of a man reading his own death sentence from a registry he had thought was holy scripture:
“‘Section Fourteen: Concerning the Perpetual Energetic Foundation of the Spire and High Terraces. Be it decreed by the First Archon and ratified by the Twelve High Patricians. That whereas Mount Khorat is devoid of natural fiery fire, the nonstop operation of the High Wards, the Town Lift Arrays. The Air Heating Ducts shall be anchored to the ringing hum of living quartz.’”
Scribe Ren swallowed, his throat making a dry, clicking sound as his phantom ink-rot flared in sympathy.
The careful audit registered with contractual care: The Vitric Parasite Promise. Target Passage: Founding Promise, Section 14 (Clauses A through D). Original Terminology: ‘Corpora Crystallina’ (Living Quartz Matrix). Constitutional Gearwork: Unilateral Endless Slamming Tribute. Spirit Function: Ringing Extraction to Power Spire Arrays. Target Population: Stage 3 & 4 Vitric Carriers (Sanatorium Inmates). Legal Finding: Khorat Town Public works is a Biological Parasite.
