Birthright by Jean Johnson

Author:Jean Johnson [Johnson, Jean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2014-09-01T16:00:00+00:00

Four

Kalasa’s relief slumped her shoulders and turned her voice into a sigh. “Oh, yes…this is much better than the solution I had found. We’ll do this one.”

Hallakan leaned over his betrothed’s shoulder, frowning at the text. “Walking from Ijesh to the capitol? That’s all you do? And ‘the Land will know’ which one of you is firstborn?”

“Yes,” Arasa confirmed, looking up at him from the other side of the table, her hands holding the scroll open so they could read. “If it worked for the First Emperor—and it does say the Land will recognize all of his firstborn heirs—then it should work for us.”

“This isn’t even one of the official history-scrolls!” the dark blond man scoffed. “You said you found it in a collection of tales intended for children to read.”

“Yet it is undeniably a part of the history-scrolls that the First Emperor did travel ‘from the Mother Temple to the place where he made his capital,’” Arasa stated. “And that the walls of the Imperial Hall did rise up around him in proof of the Covenant between him and Djin-Tajeul. Both tales are accurate in that much detail, so why shouldn’t this one be?”

“Walking,” Hallakan sneered. “Barefoot and weaponless, putting your trust in a child’s tale of a promise given to an ancestor, but not given to you! Our way is much surer—”

“We will not use that option,” Kalasa stated sharply, cutting him off. “I have made up my mind on that matter. It will not be discussed.”

“What option?” Elrik asked.

“It doesn’t matter. This is the better solution. I will put my faith in the Blood of my Family,” Kalasa returned tersely.

“You would put your faith in a fool’s quest,” Hallakan muttered, his tone slowly sharpening with disdain. “It has been more than six hundred years since the Covenant was first proclaimed, and the Flame Sea first conquered at its heart—and it was conquered. The Empire has been expanded and made strong because of the might of its warriors and the careful planning of its people. Not by putting blind faith in the Gods—do not the teachings of Djindji-Taje say that the Gods will help those that help themselves?”

“There are things about the Royal Blood that you do not understand,” Kalasa retorted. “Hold your tongue on the matter, or depart, so you will not be tempted to use it!”

Trouble in their oasis? Arasa wondered, glancing silently at Elrik. He raised his brows briefly, but didn’t say anything, either. Hallakan glowered for a moment, then drew in a deep breath and let it out, composing himself.

“I apologize. I am concerned for your safety. If you are barefoot and weaponless, anything could happen, whether it’s an attack from a sand-demon or stepping on a sharp stone. And what if one of you is stung?” Hallakan asked Kalasa pointedly.

“That’s why I’m going with Arasa, shod and with weapons of my own,” Elrik stated. “I will not interfere, unless and until she is stung. If she is, I will catch her and carry her, until we are safe on hard rock, or until she revives.

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