Chapter Six
Sacrifice
Tepwe watched his priests distribute the sacred herbs from beneath his painted eyelids. The sun was just setting, and everyone who lived in the Tangle Wood was in attendance as darkness spread across the land. The people huddled close, like eager children awaiting a treat. As each fur-clad Direling accepted their portion and placed it on their tongue, their eyes rolled back and their faces slackened into expressions of religious ecstasy. Soon, everyone faced the altar in collective silence. The high priest leaned on his horn-tipped staff and looked on with satisfaction.
Good. The god will be pleased by their obedience.
He gestured for the first sacrifice to be brought, the heavy sleeve of his robe slipping down to reveal a slender, brown arm. Two priests with pain
