The Ninth Wind (Epic Fantasy, Book I of Splendor and Ruin) by Moses Siregar III

Author:Moses Siregar III [Siregar III, Moses]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Cup of Gold
Published: 2015-05-17T16:00:00+00:00

*Author’s footnote: Meanwhile, in reality, we have evidence for Viking-era shieldmaiden. Andaran shieldmaiden may still play a role in future books in this series. Recommended reading: Kameron Hurley’s Hugo Award-winning essay, ‘We Have Always Fought’: Challenging the ‘Women, Cattle and Slaves’ Narrative.

Chapter 30: Noble Truths

FATHER AND GRANDFATHER BE WITH YOU, BROTHER. Dag watched Skye leave the study with the rajah. Brandr simply stared at the majestic door, emptiness upon his dumb, stunned face. Dag clapped Brandr on the shoulder to wake him, and took advantage of the momentary quiet by examining the craftsmanship of the door and its frame. Carved from a dark Pawelon wood with a straight purple grain, the smooth edges framed the decorative work upon the door itself. Interlocking squares and rectangles were contained by circles and ovals at varying depths, forming a mesmerizing maze. One could stare at it for some time. Nice work. Dag could smell the wood from a foot away, a rich and lingering scent with hints of spices that complemented the artistry.

The hand of the rajah, Aayu, said something to one of the guards, sending him out of the room. Dag looked over his shoulder, scanning the study for any sign they were about to be slaughtered. But the soldiers didn’t look tense, just silent. And Aayu was too at ease for that to be their plan.

The hand of the rajah spoke again through the translator. “So you’ve been carrying those shields all the way from Andars? You’re like hairy beasts of burden.”

Brandr’s silence cracked with a wry smile and a surprisingly casual comment. “You should see our weapons.”

“Have you ever killed a Rezzian with one of those?”

Brandr looked to Idonea, then Dag. “Yes. More than a few.”

Idonea turned her back and walked slowly away from the others, toward an overburdened bookcase. Dag ground his teeth. He gripped her arm just before she left his reach. “Come with me.” He pulled her to a corner on the opposite end of the room from where Havarth and Volund were staring stupidly at foreign books.

He whispered, “What did you do?”

Idonea’s eyes were frozen blue ice. She was scared. “What are you asking?” she said.

“… The blue wind … How did you do it? Why did you do it?”

“Dag!” She was on the verge of tears. “I didn’t do anything. I don’t control the wind, that’s the Ancestors. They appear when they want to.”

“You had nothing to do with it?”

“No! Not this time.”

Dag ground his teeth again. “You weren’t doing anything with your staff?”

“Dag!”

She meant it. Dag drew back a bit, reached up and pressed hard against his chin. “What does it mean?” he asked.

“I think they appear when they want something, or they have a message for someone. It’s always something important. There’s something about that general.” She had the look of someone who really wanted you to hear the last thing she said.

Brandr was explaining something to the rajah’s hand, marking off sections of Aayu’s big brown arm to show him how long something is.

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