Celeste was less than pleased with the announcement that the first petitioner to come before the crown was the First Bishop of Danthamore Declan. His position within the church gave him the ear of the High Priest and the faithful of Danthamore who flocked to his temple on the day of reflection each week. The holy temple was itself was a grand white and gold structure sitting in the common quarter just off from the slave square. His presence could only signal another problem for the Crown and one for Celeste to correct. “Greetings First Bishop Declan, what can King Agnar and I help you with today?”
Declan’s nervous fingers twitched beneath the fold of his robe while he was of an average height, he had the girth of two men. In his formal dress of brown and white robes trimmed in gold took a couple steps forward. “I must assume that the Crown is familiar with the Apostates, and their vile spectacles?”
Agnar gave a small nod “We have heard, yes.”
With a fat finger, the Bishop wiped away the sweat escaping from beneath the ornate heavy headpiece signifying his position within the clergy’s hierarchy. “Yes, my King, and what will you do about them, during the last year their numbers have only grown.”
Celeste continued to listen to Declan prattle on, her initial suspicion was correct, it was another problem on her plate.
“Even now they try for entry into the city to harass the good followers of the God of All.” He folded his hands finishing his complaint.
King Agnar wanted to avoid conflict at all costs with the apostates. The Magus knew they worshipped him, and conflict with them could bring the Magus’ anger. “These apostates have broken no laws and have been kept outside of the city.”
Declan’s face grew hot with his temper. “We are a little more than a moon away from the start of LeapSeed festival and these blasphemous apostates will ruin almost a year of planning. They’re heretics and have begun harassing the priests, if it doesn’t stop then there will be no blessings from the God of All this year.” As if he was speaking from the pulpit, his pitch became sharper. “It shouldn’t be this hard, round them up and send them to Kiffet where they can serve as tribute!”
“Well, go ahead Agnar,” quipped Celeste.
Agnar glared at Celeste daring her to continue before addressing Declan again. “Danthamore doesn’t have the men needed to go and round up the apostates who aren’t breaking any laws. However, if you wish to send inquisitors to round them up, the crown certainly won’t stand in your way.”
Deep lines of worry creased Declan’s face. “The crown has always supported the God of All, this is quite unusual to do, but if that’s what you wish me to do, I will return to the High Priest Taber with your suggestion.” Before anyone else could continue to speak, the throne room door creaked open and Kinnat walked in unannounced.
Celeste watched the Seer walk slowly to them with her deathly grayish-white pasty complexion. To Celeste, Kinnat appeared as though she aged a decade overnight. “Seer Kinnat, are you feeling better?”
“Does it matter? You need to get that monster out of Danthamore.” Kinnat was angry at her own defeat, it never should have happened, and it would not have if the King and Queen had refused the Magus to begin with.
Celeste anger was palpable. “Isn’t that why we brought you here, to help us?”
“It was you and Agnar who caused this mess by letting him in, in the first place,” Kinnat refused to stay in this wretched damned city a day longer. “I’m leaving, I have to return to the Ruby Isles and warn my people.” She was not standing around to wait for the King and Queen to respond. She turned on heel to leave, but not before stopping in front of Declan and looking him up and down with pure disdain. “And this one, this corrupt one can't help you either.”
The Queen, King, and Declan deigned not to say anything back to Kinnat as the door to the throne room closed behind her.
Nelina took Adar’s hand as he helped her up after landing her flat on her backside. “So much for that, guess I’ll keep practicing.”
Adar grinned letting go of her hand with a nod. He bowed, taking his leave of her so that she could have her midday meal before her afternoon training with Elian.
She was out of breath, but was more surprised to see the Soul Seer at the table which was supposed to be hers. The spread of food appeared to be enough for two people.
Kinnat motioned to the empty chair. “Please, sit.”
Nelina’s green eyes assessed the older woman with her furs, skins, and bones barely covering her breasts. “I see that you are eating what I normally do.” Most of the food laid out was what her meal would be.
“I’m not here to hurt you or to disturb your meal, Nelina.” Kinnat was eating while using her fingers to pull out the larger chucks of haddock in the soup.
“Oh?” Nelina picked up her bowl filling it with soup. “Then why might you be here Seer?”
“To talk about your parents,” Kinnat did her best to befriend her, “Do you know they are?
Nelina’s frown was puzzled. “They died when I was young, my Uncle raised me.”
Kinnat chewed on her haddock. “You have the markings of what we in the Ruby Isles call “The Chosen.”
“Is that so, what kind of markings?” Nelina kept thinking about how Ru’ark would find the Seer’s table manners quite bad with the way she picked at her food.
Kinnat’s smile was warm. “Your hair and eyes, to be honest.” She looked Nelina directly in the eyes. “I can offer you your freedom, in the Ruby Isles, we don’t have slavery, no man or woman would own you. You would be exalted among my people.”
“No,” she tried to keep her irritation at bay. “It’s obvious you want me for something, not because you feel pity for me.” She set her spoon down in her bowl. “You’re wasting your time if this is what you came for.”
Kinnat tried to be sympathetic to Nelina’s misfortune. “I’m sure being the Magus’ slave has been horrific-”
“He’s a good man, and it’s you who attacked him not once, but twice.” Nelina leaned in folding her hands on the table. “I’m here because I want to be, I’m not being held against my will.”
“Have you forgotten that you’re his bed slave? He uses you to mock the Kingdoms, naught else.” Kinnat put her hand over Nelina’s folded gloved hands. “Come with me, leave here and find a life that will have actual worth.”
“I am his consort, something I’m sure any common villager could tell you. As for him, I feel closer to him than I have any other person in my life and I’m unwilling to lose him.” She snapped her hands away from Kinnat. “The Magus would not have had to hurt you, you chose that when you forced his hand.”
“I forced his hand? He’s a monster, and you’re a stupid woman who is blinded in her infatuation for him.” Kinnat was seething. “People say that you were dead and that you rose because his dark unholy tricks.”
“Perhaps I was,” Nelina kept her eyes locked in defiance with the Seer’s own heavy stare. “He saved my life and I wouldn’t be sitting here if it weren’t for him. My life is his to command as he sees fit.”
“You suffer the mark of madness on your soul.” Kinnat’s face and mouth twisted in disgust.
“Love is more accurate.” Nelina’s heart raced. “My feelings for him run deeper than the Torbian Sea.” She sighed, “I am content in my life with him. He is the most powerful man in the world and he wants to be with me, he chose me. A life with him is what I desire above all else.”
“He’ll betray you, and you will one day regret saying these blasphemies.” Kinnat was at a loss for why All God would put Nelina in her path when this woman was lost to the will of the Magus.
“I think I’m done with your company Soul Witch, isn’t that what the Magus called you?” Nelina did not try to hold back her contempt.
“I’m leaving,” Kinnat stood up. To her, Nelina was naught but a poisoned vessel. “I pray to the All God that he curses your unholy, blasphemous love that you carry for the Magus.”
“Good Day Seer.” Nelina watched as Kinnat left her line of sight before picking at her food. She needed to eat a little more before meeting Elian and sparring with him.