In a last desperate attempt to save himself Carse cried out furiously.
“What means this insolence? Would you have me take up my weapons and use them against you?”
“Do so, if you can,” Hishah said softly. “Do so, oh false Rhiannon, for assuredly by no other means will you ever leave Caer Dhu!”
XVIII. The Wrath of Rhiannon
Carse stood where he was, surrounded by the crystal and metal mechanisms that had no meaning for him, and knew with terrible finality that he was beaten. And now the hissing laughter broke forth on all sides, infinitely cruel and jeering.
Garach put out a trembling hand toward Hishah, “Then,” he stammered, “this is not Rhiannon?”
“Even your human mind should tell you that much now,” answered Hishah contemptuously. He had thrown back his cowl and now he moved toward Carse, his ophidian eyes full of mockery.
“By the touching of minds alone I would have known you false but even that I did not need. You, Rhiannon! Rhiannon of the Quiru, who came in peace and brotherhood to greet his children in Caer Dhu!”
The stealthy evil laughter hissed from every Dhuvian throat and Hishah threw his head back, the skin of his throat pulsing with his mirth.
“Look at him, my brothers! Hail Rhiannon, who did not know of the Veil nor why it guards Caer Dhu!”