The Dying Flame by R L Sanderson

Author:R L Sanderson [Sanderson, R L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-10-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter thirty

Orla trailed Roland as he strode, much more quickly than his usual pace, back to her room. They were followed by two guards who seemed to be having trouble keeping up.

‘This changes nothing,’ Roland said to her under his breath. ‘You understand? This afternoon, when the Ashkar ceremony takes place, we make our move.’

Orla nodded, numbly. For her, it changed everything. The Council’s decision had taken away the only thing that was giving her joy in life. She was not allowed to see Ged. She swallowed. Not even to say goodbye. She brushed away the tears that welled. Stupid, stupid, she should have known that it could not last. Everyone she loved would be taken from her, one by one. Din. Merryn. Joseph. Her mother. And now Ged. Everyone she loved? Had she loved him? It didn’t even matter now, she told herself. It made no difference.

She tried to remember what it had been like, the moment he’d taken her hand and the rush of connection that had followed. She’d never felt anything like it before. And probably never would again, she told herself harshly. Get used to it Orla. You are destined to be alone.

Roland sighed as he finally closed the door to her chamber behind them, leaving the guards posted outside.

‘Well it could have been worse,’ he said, and collapsed into a chair, looking so old and worn that she wondered that maybe his speed and strength really had been just a show.

‘You’re ready for the afternoon?’ he asked.

She shrugged and sank down onto her bed. She was exhausted. The whole time she’d been questioned by the Council she had been having flashes of the dream from the night before: Ged’s mother, only a young woman not much older than her, tied to a sacred tree, burning. She wondered if that was what waited for her if she took a wrong step.

‘What happened to Ged’s mother?’ she asked, and Roland’s expression darkened. ‘Please, I need to know.’

‘Ged hasn’t told you?’ He looked at her sharply.

She shook her head. ‘I have… seen things. But they’re the memories of a child. It’s not enough.’

‘It was before the signing of the Treaty. The Uruhenshi were manoeuvring, gaining strength. More and more Sond were following their ways to the exclusion of our own traditions. Iliana exposed a powerful Councillor as traitor to the King because of his dealings with the Brethren. Things were moving so quickly, you see. From our perspective now, his position is only what is commonly held, but then… And the Members of the Council…’ Roland shook his head. ‘I should have guessed. I should have seen it coming.’

‘Did they really believe what the Brethren taught?’ Orla asked.

Roland sighed. ‘They would say they did. Because the alternative is unthinkable. The alternative is that they gave up their own beliefs, the strength and heart of their people, as part of a bargain that traded us one enemy for another. I don’t know, Orla. You have to understand, the religion

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