Possessing the Grimstone - By John Grover Page 0,10
she done to deserve all of this?
She paced at the back of the room and leaned on the mantle of the huge fireplace for support. Her reflection stared back at her from the surface of the gold candlesticks: such a pale, thin face.
A soft knock came from the door. “Enter.” A servant girl came in with a steaming cup of tea. “Thank you.” She took the cup gingerly and raised it to her chapped lips, sipping with caution.
As the servant left, a tall, thin man came in past her. He shut the door behind him. “M’lady, you should be in your chambers, in bed. You are not well.”
“My people need me, Nachin. Our lands are being invaded. The villages are being destroyed as we speak. I cannot resign myself to bed while they suffer.”
“And you cannot help them if you collapse and expire. The rest of the council can handle this trouble.”
“The rest of the council would just love to operate without my input, wouldn’t they, Nachin?”
“M’lady?”
“Don’t take me for a fool. I know about the whispers and stares. I know that I am only the second woman to command the council, and they would have rather it have been my husband. But he is dead, and I am the council’s new leader by law. Tell them they are to make no decisions on my behalf.”
“Of course, M’lady.”
“There is dread in the wind, Nachin. The loss of Daustra, Triton and Helfex, it leaves a hole in my soul. We are their guardians. How did we not see this coming?”
“It deceived us all. Some say it is a trick of the South; that they are using a new weapon to divide our attention and interests.”
“They would never attack poor villages with women and children. It is not their usual practice. Something else is afoot.” Her hand trembled—a dribble of tea tipped from her cup and splattered on the floor. She held strong, stiffening her grip. “It was with heavy heart that I sent our soldiers to the Lake Lands with no scouting or preparation.”
“It was the only choice.”
“True. Have we heard back from Farnus-Tan? Do they know what enemy makes war on us?”
“There’s been no word so far, M’lady.”
“It’s been half a day. I fear the worst.”
“All this worry will take its toll. You should rest.”
“Perhaps you’re right. I will be in my chambers. Summon me the moment word arrives from the battlegrounds.”
Nachin nodded and bowed to her. He left the room quietly. She’d always thought he was smug bastard, but he was loyal to her family. Olani made her way to the opposite door that adjoined her bedchamber. On wobbly steps, she managed to get to her bed and climb in. She set her tea down on the nightstand to rest.
Damn this sickness. I cannot lead in such a frail state. When will the healers divine my cure? She looked out her window and thought of her husband. She could use his words of comfort right now, and his strong hands upon her shoulders. He was taken too soon from her. The Gods of Brungach were angry on that day, and had struck him down. If only she had offered them more fitting tokens, perhaps they would have spared him.
Now they sent new evil to test her and the Northlands. Why has Farnus-Tan not sent word? Perhaps it was time to commune with Cardoon, the richest and most powerful city in all of Athora. If this was too big for her to manage, what alternative was there?
She would bring the order to the council after she rested.
###
At the edge of the village, away from the prying eyes of his father, Pim practiced his swordplay on one of the carved totems. It stood about eight or nine feet tall, and had many different animals and faces leering at him: gaping mouths, bird-like beaks, were meant to represent the First People, the eyes of Thet, the father of all.
“Blasphemy!”
Pim turned with his heart in his throat. Ono stood laughing at him. “Away, I am busy slaying my enemy.”
“If the Order of Thet catches you, they will cry blasphemy just as I have. And you will be whipped in the village center for all to see. You better cut that out. Who are you slaying, anyway? Your little brother?”
“No, the Fire Elemental, or the undead of the swamps.”
“Really? Can I join you?”
“I’m not playing. I’m training.”
“Sure you are.”
“It’s true. I’m going to join the Warrior sect when I come of age.”
“You may have