The Pirate's Truth by Chris A. Jackson

Author:Chris A. Jackson [Jackson, Chris A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Jaxbooks
Published: 2019-06-21T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

The Elusive Truth

Capitulation is often strategy in the guise of weakness.

The Lessons of Quen Lau Ush

From the journal of Preel Longbright –

I have had many cruel masters, but none so subtle in their cruelty, so manipulative, as Jhavika. For someone under an enchantment that made her ruthless, she showed remarkable restraint. Or, perhaps, she was simply lonely.

I woke with the memories of my failed ploy to trick Jhavika and my hopeful answer to her question playing a game of chase and catch in my mind. Her question had surprised me; with all the things she could have asked to further her conquest, to sate the desire to take the entire world for her own, she asked if it would be possible to free herself of that very desire. A new truth dawned in my mind as real as the growing light that tinged the drapes a light pink. Jhavika hates the scourge.

That revelation bore thinking on.

I was stiff from so long abed and stretched under the crisp sheets. I could usually gauge how taxing the invocation of my talent had been by how long I slept. This answer had cost me. My door opened, and the light from the sitting room illuminated Binsh standing there.

He leaned out the door and said, "She's awake."

He and his sister standing shifts to watch me sleep sent a shiver down my spine, but they were under orders. They couldn't disobey, and also couldn't hurt me, so I had no choice but to tolerate their undivided attention. I slipped out of bed to retrieve my robe, and Binsh was there to help me.

"Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes, Preel. I could draw you like a bath before, if you like."

"No, thank you. I just need to freshen up."

"Of course." He escorted me to the bathroom, but allowed me my privacy.

Unused to such avid and constant attention, I took a moment's comfort in seeing to my own needs. A quick rinse of face and hands woke me up, and I brushed and braided my hair. The lassitude from so long in bed began to ebb, and my stiff muscles eased after some slow stretches. When I heard the outer door open, I ventured out to find servants setting the table for one. Evidently, I would breakfast alone, which suited me fine. The last thing I wanted this morning was Jhavika's company. I needed time to think.

The food, of course, was excellent, though I missed Bert's attention to spice and flavor. The blackbrew I found watery after the jolting stuff Hemp brewed. And, of course, I missed Kevril.

Forcing my thoughts away from the spiraling depths of self-pity, I focused on the problem at hand: Jhavika Keshmir.

What a curious mix of avaricious control freak and insecure loner she was. Her question about destroying the scourge told me she wanted to be free of it, but I doubted she'd ever be able to relinquish that power. Her entire position here depended on it. Jhavika had built a house of cards with razor edges.

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