Breathe (The Destiny Series: Book 1) by Christine Grey

Author:Christine Grey [Grey, Christine]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2015-10-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

October 15 was Harvest Celebration, a time to give thanks for the bounty the gods had given the people of Maj over the last year. Not only did this mean the crops that would feed them through the winter, but also the babies who had been born since the previous year’s celebration.

This year’s celebration was marred by the terrible abduction of Phillip, but the people of Maj were not ones to bury themselves in self-pity and misery. Though they keenly felt Pip’s absence, they also knew they were working toward his return. They had a plan in place, and preparations were under way. They simply needed to complete those plans and be patient until the seasons gave way to spring. The people of Maj had no doubt they would succeed. Phillip was one of them, and they would never abandon one of their own to the Breken, or anyone else, for that matter. And so they bided their time, and continued to honor their ancient traditions.

Darius sat in the Great Hall, glancing up every few seconds to look for Dearra.

Reo, sensing his master’s tension and seeing Dearra’s face reflected in his mind, paced between Darius and the entrance to the hall, whimpering in sympathy.

Daniel looked on as Darius grew more and more agitated until he finally took pity on the Breken warrior, strolling to the table and taking the seat across from him.

Darius nodded a quick greeting and returned to his expectant watch.

Though he thought he already knew the answer, Daniel asked, “Waiting for someone?”

Never one to mince words, Darius responded, “Yes. Dearra should have been here by now.”

“Darius,” Daniel said. He paused, waiting for the man to respond. When he didn’t, Daniel continued. “Darius? Darius!”

“What? Sorry, Daniel, I’m a bit distracted.”

“Yes, I got that. She’s not coming.”

“Okay. I mean…wait…what?”

“I said, she’s not coming, Darius. Today is Harvest Celebration.”

“I know. It’s all she talks about. I thought she would want an early start to the day’s activities.”

“Darius, there are no activities until this afternoon when everyone gathers for the meal. After that we will have dancing, singing, poetry and any number of games for the children. You really haven’t noticed, have you?”

Darius looked the weapons master in the eye for the first time since the conversation had begun and asked, “Noticed what? Is something wrong?”

“Look around you, boy! Do you see any women or even girls?”

He did look around then, and saw only men lounging about, many of which he had never seen before and could only assume they came from the farmsteads in the area, men who normally took their meals in their homes rather than in the Great Hall. Concern flickered across his face for a moment, and then was gone when he realized that if there were any danger, Daniel would not likely be sitting there passing the time of day with him. “Well, then, where is she? I mean, they. Where are all the women?”

“This is the day we celebrate the bounty and fertility of the land and people.

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