and their talents with diplomacy could not be questioned. They did provide many services.
And every being had to eat.
It wasn’t even the fact that their gods seemed critical, often disapproving, and of what they disapproved, malevolent. If a follower did not toe the line, their punishments were severe.
They had three: Go’Bedi, the god of obedience, Go’Vicee, the god of service and Go’Chas, the god of faithfulness.
Though it seemed to me, Go’Bedi got the most attention.
But again, if that was what spoke to them, the path they wished to journey in their lives, it was not for me to say.
Importantly, outside of their arts of healing, their skill with diplomacy, their scholarly ways they shared well beyond the gold domes of Go’Doan, they were known to provide safe harbor in their temples, and if needed, arrange safe passage to those who required it.
And a goodly number of those were Airenzian women.
Mostly, I didn’t trust some of them because their priests were oftentimes unnerving.
And my mother was a queen. The queen of a great nation. She was also ill, even if her stubbornness would not allow her to speak of it and she tried to hide it.
But we’d just been riding over desert dune and plain now for some weeks, and I knew she was weary, even if she tried not to show it.
Therefore, she should not rise for anyone, especially not a Go’Doan, and especially not in her state.
But she did.
And because she did, Melisse and I did as well.
One thing was good about this. Serena was not there. She was in her tent some ways away enjoying the Firenz servants that had been sent to attend our camp and she had far less patience for all Go’Doan (and, well, anybody).
“Ah, it is a miracle, the beauty and strength of the Nadirii Sisterhood just an hour outside the burning wall of the Fire City,” Seph remarked, coming forward and taking both my mother’s hands in his in a way I found too familiar. “Whoever would have thought this would come to pass?”
“Much is changing in our lands, Seph,” Mother replied. She let him go and looked to me. “You remember Princess Elena?”
He turned my way and reached out both hands.
I hid my aversion and took his, wishing it was G’Jell who’d come to call. I very much liked Jell. He was genuine and kind and quick to find humor in a situation.
Mother had also shared that he was there, in Firenze, for the events and ceremonies.
However, he was probably doing what most Go’Doan priests should be doing at this time of night. Being at his prayers or being with his brethren or being asleep.
Not traveling an hour outside Fire City to disturb my mother for a good natter for no purpose at all when he’d see her tomorrow eve.
“Yes, of course,” he said to me. “Your beauty continues to be unsurpassed.”
As if I cared aught about that.
“Thank you, Seph,” I replied. “And it’s very good to see you again.”
His words did not reach his eyes. “I’m honored you think so, Your Grace.”
“And, of course, you remember Melisse,” I noted.
He let me go and whirled to Melisse.
“The kind and wise lieutenant of a great queen. I knew not the fullness of privilege I’d have, walking through some silk flaps,” Seph declared.
I took the opportunity of his obsequiousness to look to the man with him.
He was taking everything in with keen eyes and no expression, though I got the sense from him that he wished he was somewhere else.
Studying him, though, I felt a chill hit the back of my neck, and that, too, had no reason.
“Allow me to introduce my new G’Ar. This is G’Drey, very recently to this land and this is very lucky for he is here to witness these historical events,” Seph announced.
G’Drey came forward and was appropriate during introductions, as the Go’Doan always were, with everything.
Outside of impromptu evening visits to a camp in the desert the night prior to the inhabitants of said camp performing in a massive parade and just hours after they’d made that camp after a very long journey.
Mother offered them pillows and called a trainee to bring wine, bread and cheese.
“The Fire City is abuzz, my queen,” Seph launched in. “And has been for weeks. They are most excited about all who arrive here, those from these lands and ones far away. Much coin is being spent. Much revelry is in the air. And adding to this, the King and Queen of Mar-el