“They fear change,” Philon answers. “They serve without question.”
“They are cowards! They have always been slaves to the Order—diseased filth! I should rid the realms of them if I could,” Creostus bellows.
“Creostus,” Philon says, rebuking the centaur and offering him the pipe. He sneers and bats it away. Unperturbed, Philon smokes more, till the room is filled with a strong, spicy perfume that dizzies me. “There are many tribes within the realms, Priestess. You will never bring them all into accord.”
“How do we know that you even told the Untouchables about this meeting?” Fee says accusingly.
Philon blows a stream of smoke into her face. She coughs, then raises her head for more.
“You have only my word,” Philon answers.
Lean and restless, Creostus paces the length of the room. “Why should we share with those vermin the Untouchables? Filth of the Order. Diseased cowards. They deserve their lot.”
Neela sits beside Philon and runs her fingers through the creature’s silky hair. “Let her prove her loyalty to us. Tell her to take us to the Temple now.”
“I won’t join hands without speaking to Asha,” I say. The smoke has loosened my tongue.
Creostus growls in anger. He kicks a table with his hoof, smashing it to pieces. “Another stalling tactic, Philon. When will you realize you cannot make bargains with these witches?”
“They will take the magic and keep us out,” Neela hisses.
Creostus looks as if he would stomp us into dust. “We should be looking after ourselves!”
Neela glares at me. “She will betray us as the others did. How do we know she is not in league with the Order now?”
“Nyim syatt!” Philon’s voice thunders in the hut till it shakes. All are cowed. Creostus lowers his head. Philon releases a great cloud of smoke and turns those catlike eyes to me. “You promised to share the power with us, Priestess. Do you revoke your word?”
“No, of course not,” I say, but I am no longer certain. I fear I trusted too soon and promised too much. “I only ask for a little more time to better understand the realms and my duties.”
Neela sneers. “She asks for time to plot against us.”