Ossard's Hope by Colin Taber

Author:Colin Taber
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dark fantasy, coming of age, magic awakening, ruins, epic fantasy
Publisher: Thought Stream Creative Services
Published: 2013-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

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Hope Spreads Her Wings

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Sef and I shared a bench on the higher terrace overlooking the night-shrouded sound. It was a peaceful view, if chill, but a much more relaxing venue compared to the common rooms that now buzzed with hundreds of conversations as people talked of the changes that’d been announced. I was still uncomfortable with some of what I’d said and what had been set in motion, but Pedro had given me little choice.

If he wanted to go and fight as part of the Inquisition’s campaign, I could try and make him see sense, but couldn’t stop him. Not without shaming him as he laboured to restore his pride. That being the case, I had to work whatever his final actions were into our overall plans. The same went for Sef – well, in some ways – for I actually needed him to go. But it still hurt to send him.

I’d not even got used to having him back!

Sef’s voice dragged me from my thoughts. “Don’t blame yourself for any of this.”

“For what?”

“For Pedro wanting to leave or for sending me away.”

I looked out into the sound, as I stilled my tongue, fighting the impulse to deny that those had been my very thoughts.

He knew me too well – or was reading me through our bond.

I sighed and said, “Pedro wanting to leave took me by surprise, but I suppose it shouldn’t have. He’s never liked being forced into the background. Sooner or later he was always going to find an opportunity to take back some control.”

Sef nodded. “He’s been watching for a chance since he returned from that monastery all those years ago. It’s taken this long, and more importantly the threat to Maria, to make him finally gather the strength and stand tall. I think he also feels the need to fix things, things he thinks he had a hand in breaking.”

“You mean back in Ossard; of cults and kidnappings?”

“Yes.”

“I know he carries guilt, but is that what’s driving him?”

“Yes. Look at you, also a victim of the cults, yet leading the alternative to their rule. He feels powerless beside you, but out there on a battlefield he can take back control of his destiny.”

“But he’ll die!”

“It’s true to say he may.”

“I can’t let him!”

“Juvela, you’re a god now. Protect him and those that go with him by bestowing a blessing upon their souls. You can keep them safe, well, from arrows and such, but weapons like diabolical magic may still be able to overwhelm such defences.”

“He’s my husband!”

“And you his wife; a god who can bless him to be the safest on the battlefield. If you can’t dissuade him, your love will protect him.”

I nodded, but my heart ached. Sef was right – in theory – but I wouldn’t admit, not even to him, how afraid I was of using the celestial, fearing that it’d stir my hunger.

Maybe it wouldn’t come to that.

Perhaps, I could convince him to change his mind.

I hadn’t given up on that.

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