Page 80 of Grave Situation

As nice as that thought is…“They haven’t said what they want yet.”

She scoffs.

“The dragon will get impatient soon,” I tell the bishop. “They’re not known for waiting quietly.”

“Are you threatening us?” He sounds outraged, but behind him, some of his followers look nervously toward the sky.

“I would never threaten a servant of the gods,” I proclaim with fake piety. “I’m just pointing out a fact. Dragons have short tempers, and this one is going to want supper soon.”

Oh look, is that outright alarm I see on some of those faces? Maybe I should have Tia ask Leicht to scream. There’s nothing quite so blood-chilling as a dragon’s scream. Especially when it wakes you from a sound sleep in the middle of the night.

“I tire of this game,” the bishop sneers, and Coryn tenses. “You fled from a convocation after denying the holy request of the high priestess of Malna. This brands you a criminal and?—”

“Actually, it doesn’t,” I interrupt helpfully. “Criminals have to commit a crime. Crimes are, by definition, the breach of a law. I have broken no law.” Jaimin swears softly, likely because antagonizing the temples is the last thing I should be doing.

Personally, I feel as though that ship has sailed.

“You refused to surrender the holy stone to the temples!” the bishop shouts, outraged.

“And when you can show me the law that says I’m required to, I gladly will. Unfortunately, I can’t wait here while you search, but when you find it, you can send word to the Academy of Mages, and they’ll pass the message along.”

He begins to sputter, his face turning puce. Seriously, though—did he think coming out here with no guards or soldiers, just priests, would convince me to change my mind?

“Get ready to create a distraction,”I warn Tia, eyeing the priests. None of them look particularly like fighters, and maybe if Leicht swoops again, breathing some fire—though notatthem—they’ll run. I need time to talk to my master and make a plan, because we can’t be watching out for the temples the whole way across the?—

The stone pulses, and I freeze, my gaze on a young, nervous-looking acolyte near the back of the group. Oh, no.

No. No no no.

You’re joking.

~No~

Fuck.

“Change of plan,”I tell Tia.“One of them has to come with us.”I ignore her shocked exclamation, leaving a path open for her so she can hear what’s happening, and turn to Jaimin and Coryn. “The stone’s just given me a message,” I murmur, not wanting the bishop to hear. “See that acolyte at the back? Ginger hair, skinny, looks like he should be at home with his mama?”

They both look that way. “Yes?” Jaimin ventures cautiously.

“He’s coming with us. Go along with me.”

“I don’t like this,” Coryn whispers, but nods.

“Excuse me, Bishop?” I call, interrupting his fit of stutters. “I am, of course, a true son of the gods, and I find it hard to defy the temples in any wish. If I could surrender the stone to you, I would.” I’d think about it, anyway. “But my mission is from the gods themselves, and I cannot rest until it is fulfilled.”

The bishop opens his mouth, probably to yell.

“However,” I continue, “because of my deep, sacred respect for the temples, I offer a compromise. I will continue my quest under the watchful eye of one of your faithful acolytes. Hewill ensure I guard the stone with my very life and, upon the completion of my task, will escort me to deliver it into the hands of the convocation and submit myself for judgment.”

“Judgment?” Jaimin hisses, but he sounds amused.

The bishop narrows his eyes, appearing to consider it. “And if I refuse this absurdity and demand you surrender the stone immediately?”

Fuck. He’s not buying it. “I would refuse and continue on my way. With the stone.”

The bishop smiles thinly. “It seems you leave me no real choice.”

~!~

---