Lady of Basilikas by Ronie Kendig

Author:Ronie Kendig
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Christian, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9798886051179
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Published: 2024-04-11T00:00:00+00:00

VALIRIANA

Rude, insufferable man! Valiriana stood on the balcony watching the sun break the power of darkness and spill its glory over the sea and land. Though she tried to appreciate the growing warmth from the sunlight, since last eve, since seeing the state of living conditions, a chill had pervaded her bones and heart. He justified the inhumane living conditions because of storm damage, but was there not plenty of room to temporarily accommodate those who so fastidiously served in his house? This was . . . unacceptable! Hugging herself, she grieved that she had been right about this king, but worse—that being right meant others suffered.

“Will you not eat, my lady?” Yieri asked—not for the first time.

Eat in luxury when those below sat on cots in dingy, musty bunkrooms?

Clearly this Licitus did not deserve Faa’Cris aid. She had longed to communicate with Deversoria many times, but she should not seem petulant or inexperienced by racing to report every injustice she witnessed.

“Revered Mother.” She spoke using the vox saeculorum. Her giftings had been inconsistent at best since the barn, so she hoped—

“You are well, Valiriana?” Ma’ma’s voice held a charge of concern.

“I am not.” Far from it! “Had I not intervened, the Errant would have imprisoned a child! Now, he demands my compliance. Holds me hostage, against my will.” It was not a whole truth—she had agreed to the bargain, perhaps a little hastily, not fully comprehending what she’d committed herself to. Ma’ma would understand, issue a recall. She would return.

“Perhaps against your will, but clearly not against the Ancient’s.”

The words grated, but truth sometimes did. She shifted against the railing, eyes closed, hearing the roar of the surf below her. “I saw him attack a young man who did him no wrong. Then another. He has an entire palace yet relegates sergii to cramped quarters with naught but sheets for privacy. Surely we do not condone this. I cannot stand the Licitus!” Never would he convince her of his honor. To do so, he would have to contain some.

“This missio to gather intelligence is not about you, Valiriana.”

“Did you not hear the grievances? He—”

“Remember whom we serve—not our whims. His will is what we should seek.”

Whims? Jaw tight, she knew she must yield. The points were valid. But . . . if the Revered Mother would not hear her complaints, then how was she to convince them he was not suited for a Sending? The thought of his life being joined to a Lady’s sent a repulsed shudder through her. “He does not deserve us.”

“Do you say the Lady Eleftheria was wrong?”

Valiriana lifted her head, opening her eyes to gaze across the ocean vista. No, the Lady was not wrong—she was never wrong because she sat with the Ancient and Vaqar, so her words were wise and well-reasoned. How desperately Valiriana wanted the Lady to be wrong.

“You know what you must do.” With those words, the vox saeculorum closed.

She must remain. Continue the mission given her by the Lady. She slapped the railing, bruising her hand.

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