The Watchers in Exile by Barbara V. Evers

Author:Barbara V. Evers [Evers, Barbara V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Mythology Press
Published: 2021-01-21T22:00:00+00:00

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Chapter 18

It was one thing to accept the presence of a Seer, it was another to submit to her hand on your shoulder as you answered questions. Leera shivered the moment Helmyra’s hand touched her. Was the shiver from inside her or did some power cross through the woman’s fingers?

Sariah asked the first question. “When did you and Adana become friends?”

The memory brought a smile to her face. Leera could still see Adana trying to navigate between bales of hay and tripping over her skirts. “My mother had been harsh with Adana. She couldn’t do anything right when she first came to Elwar. I caught her trying to practice walking in skirts. She was horrible at it, and I laughed at her.”

Leera paused, remembering the scene as if it was yesterday. “Mother disliked Adana, and for some reason, I decided it would be fun to befriend her. To see how mother reacted.”

She glanced between Sariah and Gerguld, wondering why they asked something she couldn’t prove.

Sariah nodded. “That is how Adana explained it to me. Helmyra, why don’t you go next?”

The pressure on Leera’s shoulder didn’t change, but she felt more nervous as Helmyra considered her question.

“That day you left my shop, whose shop did you visit instead?”

Surprise flushed over Leera. At a time when they carried news of her brother, was the dressmaker unable to get past the fact that Leera had cost her some business? The other two didn’t seem surprised by the question, so she fought the urge to lick her lips in nervousness as she answered. “I went back to the castle and had mother summon the royal dressmaker.” She didn’t mention the anger her mother expressed over the delay created by Leera’s refusal to work with Helmyra.

“That is true.” Helmyra’s head bobbed once in confirmation.

Gerguld asked the last question. “Why did you decide to help me?”

The question should not have surprised Leera. She had asked herself the same question. Still, she fought to prevent a peevish answer. “I don’t really know why.” She played with various phrasings, and then spoke again. “Mother seemed so different, and everything had changed. I may have felt sorry for you.” She bobbed her head in Gerguld’s direction. “You seemed lost, and I wanted to help.” Her last statement carried a hint of wonder in her voice.

“You did not plan to use this later for your own gain?” This question came from Sariah.

“I didn’t say that.” Leera felt heat rise in her face. “Once I decided to help, I realized Gerguld might be of service to me some day.”

“How?”

“I haven’t determined, yet. At the time, I was afraid of mother’s behavior and wanted to know if there was a way to get out of the city.”

“Where would you go?” Sariah said.

“I don’t know.” She shrugged, then straightened, suddenly aware they had asked more than three questions. “The agreement was three questions. We’ve surpassed that. Please share with me what you know of my brother.”

Sariah glanced at Helmyra. “Are you comfortable with how to read her?”

“Yes.

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