A Veil of Spears by Beaulieu Bradley P

Author:Beaulieu, Bradley P. [Beaulieu, Bradley P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9780698152410
Google: Z4cpDwAAQBAJ
Goodreads: 26821724
Publisher: Penguin
Published: 2018-01-18T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 36

ÇEDA CROUCHED LOW within the blooming fields, three leagues north of Sharakhai. Concealed by the thorny branches of the adichara trees, she was little more than a darker patch of black beneath the shade of the twisted trees. The dunes rolled southward before her under the heat of a relentless sun. Over those dunes, a horse and rider approached. For a long while, the wavering heat concealed all details, but as the rider came steadily nearer, she resolved into a Blade Maiden riding a tall akhala with a brass coat and fetlocks the color of wrought iron. Çeda recognized Melis.

Seven days had passed since Beht Ihman and Çeda’s escape from the House of Kings. Dardzada thought this meeting a fool’s errand, but Çeda would not be swayed. He didn’t know Melis as Çeda did. She was loyal to the Kings, but her heart tired of the conflict. She wanted a way out of the endless war. She’d said as much to Çeda. If Melis wouldn’t accept the truth, no one would.

Focusing on the trees around her, Çeda flexed her right hand. Pain came with the movement, and with it a rapidly expanding awareness of the adichara and the creatures that slept among their roots. Come, brothers and sisters. Many of the asirim were too deep in slumber to heed her call. Others were awake but savage as wounded animals. She felt pity for them, but had no use for them here; she needed a soul who could share her story. So she flexed her hand again and reached farther, searching carefully for one that was aware, that understood the asirim’s plight.

The wind picked up, making the thorny branches rattle. To her right, a black snake with bright yellow stripes slid away and was lost to the deeper shadows. Come, she called, calming her mind. Today could change all our lives.

Still there were none, and Melis was riding closer.

She considered taking an adichara petal, but quickly rejected the idea. Patience was needed here, not force or desperation. At last she felt a child. A huddled, angry soul. Children were rare among the asirim, and Çeda had never spoken with one, so she took care as she reached for the girl. Will you tell me your tale?

She seemed fearful, perhaps of Çeda. Perhaps of Melis. But something like grudging assent came from her.

Then gather your courage and listen as I speak with this woman.

No woman, the child corrected. A Blade Maiden.

A woman, like me.

When Melis was several hundred yards from where Çeda hid, she pulled on her reins and slipped down to the sand. She walked lazily, shading her eyes, peering into the adichara as she went. Çeda waited, watching the horizon closely for signs of other Maidens or Silver Spears.

Coming to a stop some distance from Çeda, Melis whistled the Maiden’s call for attend me. Ignoring her for the moment, Çeda crept along a path in the blooming fields to its outer edge, where she scanned the horizon for signs of anyone hoping to catch her unawares.

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