Deathless: Annals of the God Eater book 1 (The God Eater Saga) by Rob J. Hayes

Author:Rob J. Hayes [Hayes, Rob J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rob J. Hayes
Published: 2024-07-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“Still clinging on there, Ertide?” the Rider said, mounting the steps to the throne so he could stare down at him.

“Like a barnacle to a ship’s hull. Speaking of which, you first boat is almost ready to launch, I hear. Keel tells me it’s a vessel like no other.”

The Rider scoffed. “Maybe it will be in another month. For now, it is nothing more than a few planks of wood strapped together by hopes and flaccid placations. At this rate, my fleet will take generations to build. It must be quicker.”

Ertide leaned back in the throne and smiled up at the Herald of the Fourth Age. “It will always amaze me how those with unlimited time are the most likely to be irked by delay.”

The Rider crossed his arms. “Don’t spout your trite philosophical drivel to me, old man. I was born in the age of philosophy.”

“So was I.”

We are both creatures of the last age, yet here we are shaping this one.

Mathanial grinned. “An excellent point.” He held out a large, calloused hand. “Will you walk with me, King Ertide Hostain?”

Ertide glanced over the hall once more. The twins still danced with their angelic partners. Emrik moved with a practiced grace as if he had been born to dance, while Merian swayed along to the music with the fluidity of a snake. Opposite them, the Archangel looked uncoordinated and awkward in his plate armour, moving as though he had no idea where to put his wings. Eleseth shuffled step to step, smiling so warmly and glowing like a forest fire at night. Neither of the twins were small, but they looked like drab children compared to their partners. And yet, despite Eleseth’s radiant beauty and Orphus’ shining strength, there was no doubt that the humans were the better dancers.

In two thousand years, you’d think they would have learned how to jig.

Ertide groaned as he started pushing to his feet. Jertis rushed forward to help, but the Rider held up a large hand to warn him back.

“Stop fawning over the old man and let him stand on his own feet,” the Rider snarled. “If he can.”

Ertide trembled, wobbled, and straightened up. He still had to look up to meet the Rider’s gaze. “I can.” He hoped the angel couldn’t see how much it cost him.

The Rider led the way and the crowd of people parted before him like ice melting before a flame. Ertide followed, nodding some greetings here, spreading promises to talk later there. Mathanial led them away from the music and the dancing, towards the corner of the hall where the children were playing. Some with wooden swords, others with games, and some were sat around listening to a young, handsome woman telling scary stories of demons ruling the land before the angels came to free them all.

Rikkan shifted along the far wall, shadowing them, slipping along quiet and unnoticed. No one stopped him to trade pleasantries. Everyone knew there wasn’t a drop of pleasantry in Ertide’s oldest son.

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