Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
“You have much to concern yourself with,” Ry stated the obvious. “However, I fear the coincidence of Marian’s disappearance, some others of my Go’Ella after her, and a small amount more vanishing as well, this happening during these times…” He drew in a deep breath. “Well, Your Grace, it makes me uneasy.”
“And you wish to find her,” Farah said.
Ry nodded. “I worry for her. Her mother was ill. She would go often to care for her. But once, she left and did not come back. Aron was not wrong. In the purest sense of our religion, it is the priests’ responsibility to protect our Go’Ella. I can assure you that many take this much to heart. I am one of those many. But as happens, this concept has become bastardized over time. I am just gladdened to understand there are hearty discussions about it. For the time is nigh.”
When all at the table simply regarded him, Ry took his cue and stood.
“I will find parchment and pen. And then I must be away home, if they will take me.”
“Your accent, you were Airenzian before you pledged to the Go’Doan?” True asked.
Ry nodded.
“Regardless, you can make your home here if aught befalls you on your return,” True offered and felt Farah’s gaze warming his profile with her approval.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Ry said on a bow of his head. He lifted it and murmured, “I’m to a parchment.”
And with that, he left the room.
When the doors closed behind him, Alfie inquired, “Has Mars learned aught yet from the Go’Ella?”
“Not that I’ve heard. But if he does, he will share,” True answered.
“Serena? Tor?” Alfie asked.
“We have, as of two days ago, one man planted in The Rising. I would wish more, and any information he might procure will take time, and I fear the quest for it is most dangerous. But they carry on.”
“News from Mar-el?” Alfie continued.
“There is some issue with the pirates,” True shared. “Aramus is calling a summit.”
Alfie nodded and pressed on. “Airen?”
Yes, his counsellor had accepted his new role.
Wholeheartedly.
True did not shout his gladness at this.
He looked to Farah, who he’d already told the news he was about to share, before he returned to Alfie.
“Gallienus has been arrested for the rape of one of his wives. He awaits tribunal.”
“By the gods,” Alfie muttered, this before he started chuckling.
True felt Farah’s fingers curl around his knee and squeeze deeply, such was her joy at seeing Alfie chuckle.
“They very much wish Farah and I, Silence and Mars and Aramus and Ha-Lah at their nuptials and are keen to press forward with them, something they intend to do quickly after the trial. Farah and I might be able to get away, it is but days on a ship, Ha-Lah as well. But I fear they will not have…” He trailed off, not wishing to bring up something that might dampen the goodness of this day.
But Alfie steadfastly picked up the thread. “The pomp of your own.”
“Alfie,” True murmured.
“They should elope,” Alfie suggested, taking them right around the subject.
And the day was not dampened.
“It would be wise,” True replied. “And at least that will be done, the alliances made official that will defeat the Beast.”
At this, Apollo cleared his throat and stood, saying, “I will seek Ry and get those names.”
True nodded to him.
After Apollo left, Farah again squeezed his knee.
“Progress,” she said.
He smiled at her. “Progress.”
“I have concerns about this Go’Ella business,” she shared.
“As do I, my sweet, but it will have to wait.”
She looked contemplative before she said, “I also have concerns about this Marian.”
It was peculiar she would focus on that one Go’Ella, and True wished to quiz her on that, but he did not when Alfie spoke.
“As happy as I am to be out of that bloody room, True, I must ask to get back to it. I have sticks to practice with.”
Ah, yes.
Progress.
And hope.
“Then let us see to that, shall we?” True replied.
Alfie looked to Wally and Bram who were already moving his way.
True did not watch this.
He looked to his love.
“A good day,” he said and watched her eyes again shine with happiness.
“Finally,” she agreed.
104
The Realization
Queen Silence
Parlor of Guard of the Trusted, Fire City
FIRENZE
I drew deeply at the scent of the dark fluff on the baby’s head, a baby I held tight to me.
And I closed my eyes.
“They smell beautiful, do they not?” Nyx asked.
I opened my eyes, looked to my friend and smiled.
“No other scent is as beautiful,” I replied.
Though that was not true.
One was.
The spice of my husband’s cologne.
However, I had not smelled much of that lately.
Indeed, none a’tall.
“Is everything all right, my queen?” Zosime asked from where she was lounging back on the bright cushions of a daybed, appearing to glow more than she did when she was expecting.
However, she glowed through also appearing worried, her gaze kind on me.