The Girl at the Heart of the Storm by E.E. Holmes

Author:E.E. Holmes [Holmes, E.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-07-21T16:00:00+00:00

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“That was masterful,” Francis said an hour later as they filed out of the room.

“Someone had to put the brakes on that jumped-up little blighter,” Josiah murmured. “But all I’ve really done is buy Morgan more time, and very little time at that.”

“Yes, that’s true enough,” Francis said, his eyebrows drawing violently together. “What do you propose?”

“We’ve got to get Morgan here. He has to commune with the Rift and tell the others that the Creator continues to have faith in him,” Josiah said.

Francis’ face went slack. “And what if we do manage to get him here, before the Rift, and the Creator does not communicate such a thing? What then?”

Josiah did not speak, knowing that his silence would do the talking for him. Francis looked grim but did not press the matter.

“Do you think he will come?” Francis asked instead.

“I do. He has no choice, really. He can’t allow a decades-long reign to end in the disgrace of a no-confidence vote. No, he’ll just have to find a way to arrange it. If the blasted doctors have to carry him in, he’ll make damn sure he gets there, of that I am certain.”

“We’ll have to find a way to keep others away,” Francis said. “If he is truly as ill as you say—”

“He is, I assure you.”

“Then we will need to find a way to avoid prying eyes. Carpenter and his faction will not squander the opportunity to witness the High Elder’s condition for themselves,” Francis said.

Josiah simply nodded. He had his own plans for Carpenter, but he could not speak of them. Francis would never approve of taking matters so far. And that, he thought, was why Francis would always remain comfortably near the top, but never right at the pinnacle. He didn’t have the stomach for it.

But Josiah did. He had stayed up late into the night for weeks, praying. The Creator was testing him, he had concluded, testing his mettle and his faith. Soldiers did as they were told, but generals took the reins, forged their paths, and made decisions that won wars. Josiah was in his own personal battle for the soul of his country, and he would make what decisions were necessary. It was the only conclusion he could draw; the Creator had given him the tools and he must wield them.

However, there was the possibility that Archie Ward would fail— he had yet to find the Braxton woman or the scullery maid. Josiah could not count Carpenter as out of his path, not yet. And so they had to buy what time they could.

“So, we must go to Morgan,” Francis said. He didn’t sound happy about it.

“Yes, we must. As his Councilors, no one will think it strange that we are the ones to deliver the letter, once it has been finished. His doctors will protest, no doubt, but we must convince him to come, to play the part, or it’s all over.”

“Do you think this will change his mind, about putting your nomination in writing?” Francis asked.

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