White by Ted Dekker Page B

that rose all five stories and featured a large fruit tree at its center. Sweet fruit—not the bitter rot that the desert tribes preferred—was the one spoil of the forest that all of the people gorged themselves on. Chelise stopped before the arching entrance to the courtyard, faced Elison, and opened her hands, palms up. “Okay?”
    â€œYou’re stunning.”
    â€œThank you.”
    She turned and kissed the base of a tall bronze statue of Elyon—a winged serpent on a pole. “I feel religious today,” she said softly, and walked into the courtyard.
    Qurong stood in a black tunic beside Woref, who was dressed in full battle gear. Behind them were the albinos under guard.
    The sight snatched away any thought of the villa. Chelise stopped, confused. Qurong meant to give her some albinos as a gift? No, that couldn’t possibly be it. His gift was to show off his little victory.
    Qurong saw her, spread his arms, and smiled wide. “My daughter arrives. A vision of beauty to grace her father’s pride.”
    What was he saying? He rarely spoke in such lofty terms.
    â€œGood morning, Father. I’m told you have a gift.”
    He laughed. “And I do. But first I want to show you something.” Qurong glanced at Woref, who was staring at her directly. “Show her, Woref.”
    The general dipped his head, stepped to one side, and stood tall like a peacock. For all his fearful reputation, he demeaned himself with this display of pride. Did he think she would tremble with respect at his capturing a few albinos? He should have wiped out the whole band of jackals by now.
    She looked at the poor victims. These few were a mockery of his . . .
    Something about the albino on the left stopped her. He looked vaguely familiar. Impossible, of course—the only albinos she’d ever seen were the ones dragged in as prisoners these past few months. A couple dozen at most. This man wasn’t one of them. Then what was it? His green eyes seemed to look through her. Unnerving. She averted her stare.
    The prisoners’ hands were bound behind them, and their ankles were shackled. Other than simple loin skirts, they were all naked except for one—a woman. They’d been covered in ash, but their sweat had washed most of it away, revealing broad vertical swaths of fleshy skin.
    â€œYou don’t know who you’re looking at, do you, my dear?”
    â€œWhat is this?” a voice demanded behind her. Mother had come in. “How dare you bring these filthy creatures into my house?”
    â€œWatch your tongue, wife,” Qurong snapped. It was no secret that Patricia ruled the castle, but Qurong wouldn’t tolerate brazenness in front of his men.
    Patricia stopped beside Chelise and eyed her husband. “Please remove these albinos from my house.”
    â€œThank you for coming, my dear. Your house will be disease-free soon enough. First, please, both of you, look closely and tell me what you see.”
    Chelise glanced at her mother, who held Qurong with a glare. Her eyes were as white as the moon, but today the moon was on fire.
    â€œFor the sake of Elyon, woman! It won’t kill you! Look at them!”
    Her mother finally obeyed.
    Something strange was happening with this ceremonious display, but Chelise was at a loss. They were simply five albinos in chains, headed for the dungeons and then for a drowning. Why would her father take such pride?
    She guessed it the moment Qurong spoke.
    â€œYou see, even the great Thomas of Hunter is nothing but one more albino in chains.”
    Thomas of Hunter!
    â€œWhich one?” Patricia asked.
    But Chelise already knew which one. The once-great commander of the feared Forest Guard was the man who was staring at her. She blinked and looked away again. He looked at her as if he recognized her.
    â€œTake them away,” Chelise said.
    â€œSo you’ve captured their leader,” her mother said.