The Crystal Clipper by B. Roman Page B

chalice.
    This is like a scene out of a bad movie
, David thinks. He has been playing the bumpkin, the ignoramus, hoping that Jaycina will believe he is not worth detaining. Certainly not capable of outsmarting her and rescuing Saliana.
    “So, Jaycina. You're a high priestess. That must be a very important job. Don't you have to go to the Altar or something now?”
    “How quaint you are.” Jaycina's merry laugh is nonetheless chilling. “No. There will be no more rituals tonight. I have found something more interesting to amuse me.”
    “Uh - yeah, well, what about this Serpent Ruler. The Glass Snake or whatever. Isn't he going to need you for something?”
    One of the slave girls takes Jaycina's outstretched hand and helps her rise to her feet. “The Great Serpent Ruler needs me for everything.” Her onyx eyes narrow to slits as she speaks softly, but menacingly. “Without me, he would crumble to ashes and die.”
    “Not as long as he has Saliana,” David ventures a stab at her. “Not as long as she sings for him.”
    The High Priestess sits patiently in her imperial chair while a slave girl adjusts her gown carefully around her feet. She is kittenish again, almost indifferent in her expression. “Oh, yes. The little child in the Tower.” She smirks cynically. “He thinks she has the power of immortality in her song.”
    Relieved to be free of Jaycina's cloying advances, David rises to his feet. “Doesn't she?”
    Jaycina studies David a moment, considering her response, which is then cryptic. “Only if he thinks she does.”
    David's reaction is a blank stare, revealing nothing of what he truly feels. “Are you telling me that Saliana's music has no power? Then why is she being held captive and made to sing for him?”
    “Oh, her music has power, no doubt. But immortality comes from a far greater source than Saliana's little song.”
    “You mean God?”
    Jaycina dismisses “God” with an arrogant sniff. “God. The term is an abstraction. The power, the force that gives and sustains life is real. It exists. And whoever finds it and claims it for his - for
her
- own, will be the immortal one.”
    “How can you find it? If it isn't in Saliana's song, then where is it? What is it?”
    “Of that, my sly boy, I'm not sure. So, for now, Saliana must sing. Perhaps somewhere in her song is a clue.” She scrutinizes David's face for any sign that she has
    touched a nerve. His face remains impassive. “Besides,” she adds offhandedly, “it pleases the Glass Snake to hear her.”
    “You mean you're deceiving him until you figure out the power thing for yourself?”
    Jaycina's nostrils flare slightly at the insinuation, but once again she manipulates the conversation her way and baits David. “Given the chance, isn't everyone capable of deceiving others? Haven't you been deceived by Ishtar and Dorinda about why you are here, in the Palace?”
    Finally, David's body responds, stiffening with apprehension. “What do you mean? Why would they deceive me?”
    Jaycina purses her lips, registering pleasure that she has at last pricked his emotional armor. “So that you will rescue Saliana, thinking that in doing so you will find your sister.”
    David is unnerved.
How could she know about Sally?
His nonchalant facade begins to crack. “What do you know about my sister?”
    “All I need to know.” Jaycina rises to stand close to him. “She is the most important person in your life, so important that you sailed that immense clipper ship all alone to this island. That was very brave of you, David, very brave and unselfish.” She runs a fuchsia-colored fingernail seductively along his cheek. David's skin quivers, but he stands still as a stone. “I could use someone like you in the Palace. You are brave and you are loyal, among other things. Together we could control the infinite power of the Glass Volcano, rule the City, share the wealth. Perhaps even have your Sally here with you.”
    Now, David's eyes glow