Jala's Mask by Mike Grinti

Author:Mike Grinti
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781616149796
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Published: 2014-10-06T16:00:00+00:00

“Ah, my little queen,” Jala’s father said. “You’ve done so well, as well as I ever could have hoped.”

Jala smiled up at him. Even after everything that had happened, even though she wasn’t a little girl anymore, his praise still meant so much to her.

He put his arm around her shoulders and steered her out of the manor. “Let’s talk outside. Too many unfriendly ears in this place, as I’m sure you’ve found.”

What could he have to say that he didn’t want to get back to Azi? Maybe he was worried about Lord Inas, though. Once they were out of the manor, she pointed. “If we walk this way, I can show you where the invaders landed.”

They walked along the shore with the setting sun at their backs. The ocean was quiet tonight, and the waves lapped gently over the white sand. Several seabirds circled overhead, sometimes letting out high-pitched cries. Long-legged insects buzzed past Jala’s face, and she waved them away. When they were far enough from any listening ears, she spoke.

“Azi told me about all the help you sent to the Gana,” Jala said. “It’s hard to imagine a whole island of people are nearly gone. I’m glad our family could help.”

Her father nodded. “How could we do less? There’s hardly a Bardo without at least a distant cousin on the Fifth Isle. Orad might have been able to run away, but the rest of our Gana cousins must live with the destruction. So, we do what Orad can’t.”

“I’m sure Lord Orad is grateful for our help,” Jala said. “He couldn’t have prepared for that kind of attack. What Marjani and Azi saw there . . . that can’t happen again.”

“Maybe he is grateful,” her father said. “We’ll find out soon enough.” He stopped walking and faced her. His eyes were serious. “I know that none of this is quite how you imagined it, and I know it’s been hard for you. It’ll get harder. But you’re strong, stronger than any of these Kayet fools, stronger than you know. But I know, as I’ve always known. You will lead the Bardo to greatness, and sooner than I dared dream.”

His words were familiar; he’d said nearly the same things to her many times before. She’d always felt proud of his belief in her, but today she wasn’t just his daughter. She wasn’t just a Bardo anymore. “Our family’s greatness doesn’t really matter right now, does it? With the invaders and the Gana and everything else. We should all be working together to help them rebuild. And we need to work together if we’re going to keep all five islands safe.”

“Yes, exactly,” her father said. “This meeting your boy king has called isn’t just about raiding. It’ll determine the future of the Fifth Isle. I’d bet Inas has already tried to convince the Gana to marry into the Kayet, and the rest of the families will do the same.”

Was he even listening to her? Jala thought she saw where this was going, and she narrowed her eyes.

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