A Warrior's Penance by Davis Ashura

Author:Davis Ashura [Ashura, Davis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Epic Fantasy
ISBN: 9780991127665
Publisher: DuSum Publishing
Published: 2016-07-12T06:00:00+00:00

Shur Rainfall was glad the room in which the Heavenly Council of the Virtuous met was in a cellar. It was cool down here, which helped prevent nervous sweat from beading on his brow. Had the temperature been even slightly warmer, Shur was certain he would have been covered in a waterfall of sweaty rivulets.

He took a deep breath. Tonight's meeting of the Virtuous wouldn't be easy. It was their first since the disastrous attack on House Shektan almost a week ago now. That they hadn't been able to meet sooner had much to do with the Watch tearing the city apart trying to find them.

So many of their members had been killed in the conflict or captured. And for what? A handful of dead Shektan women? The cost to the Virtuous had been too high. Even worse, the entire reason for the attack was now under question. And who would take the blame for these various disasters but he, the leader of the Virtuous. If he wasn't lynched by the six remaining members of the Heavenly Council, it would be a miracle.

Shur took another steadying breath. “Let us bow our heads and prayer for guidance that we may see Devesh's will more truly.”

“His will was easily seen a week ago,” said the Rahail. “We need no prayer to give us guidance, not when He sent us as clear a vision as possible last week. We should never have attacked the Shektans.”

“Rukh Shektan fought the Queen and lived,” said the Cherid. “He bled Her and drove Her away. He is touched by Devesh.” Her voice was filled with fervent passion.

“And what of Jessira Shektan?” the Sentya asked. “If Rukh has chosen her to be his wife, and Devesh still showers him with grace and glory, what do we make of her?”

“Nothing has changed,” Shur said with utter certainty. “The OutCastes remain ghrina. Their presence pollutes us all.”

“Everything has changed. Devesh's touch lingers upon Rukh Shektan's brow,” the Rahail avowed. “And if the Lord accepts someone so polluted, someone who has had congress with a ghrina, then what does that mean for us?”

“One battle, and you're willing to disregard millennia of teaching?” Shur asked in disgust.

“You're so sure of yourself that you're willing to disregard something not seen in millennia?” the Cherid sneered. “No one, not even the First Father or the First Mother, the greatest of Devesh's servants, were ever able to oppose the Queen. She slayed Them, and whether They were Her Parents or not, it doesn't matter. We saw a miracle, one that alters everything.”

“The Word and the Deed has been our guide for all the years of our lives, and those of our forefathers,” Shur began, trying to hold rein on his frustration. “And you're willing to cast it aside because of one supposed battle?” He sneered. “You're like a child seeing a pretty bauble and not recognizing the true worth of a humble hammer, a tool that can raise monuments.”

“And where has your guidance led us?” the Cherid demanded.

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