Page 167 of The Gods Veiling
I’ve seen her wield swords. Plenty of them. I know she’ll do fine with it and that’s the most I can do for her right now.
“Let’s go.”
The five of us rush out the front door. We don’t make it but a few steps before a giggling voice calls out. “Thayla…what’s going on?”
We all spin around and find Yemi and her Meadow Hand cousin about to walk into her home. The smiles slowly slip off their faces and Havar, I think is his name, steps slightly in front of her.
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Trouble from the other side. You’re not accompanying us. We have to go.” I grip Thayla’s arm and pull her along.
After the third time she tries to tug free, I finally release her. “Why did you tell her she wasn’t accompanying us?”
“Most Attending Gods would bring their Attendants with them. I knew you wouldn’t want that, but the thought more than likely instantly popped in her mind that she’d have to go. I went ahead and made it clear so we didn’t waste time sitting there talking.”
“You’re still being vague as fuck and I don’t appreciate that, but I got the picture this is about to get bad. And you’re telling me, some of the Defenders bring their untrained Attendants with them?”
“Yes.”
She mumbles quietly, but I hear it loud and clear. “Pathetic fucking gods.”
Yeah, most of them are.
I pick up my pace and start running toward the Court. The longer we take, the more our people holding off the other side are at risk.
By the time the five of us enter the Court, half the Defender Designation is waiting for us.
This is so fucking bad if this many are coming.
“Get ready to move out. Mellcom, Jeremiah, follow Creed’s lead until you join us again. You other three on me,” Gladian instructs.
“Not happening. You know we don’t do this separated,” Kyzen states immediately.
Gladian’s eyes narrow. “There isn’t going to be room in the carriage for seven of you and we don’t have time for this.”
“We’ll make room. You just worry about getting the rest of them there and ready. That’s final.”
Thayla’s eyes widen on Kyzen at his tone. There’s not much that brings out the true Ruler in him. Threat of the Abandon and us being separated will do it.
“Fine. Let’s move.”
Just as Gladian and his entire force starshoots out, a majestic neigh vibrates the air around us. My head tilts back and I watch the Veilatara glide above us before landing at the other end of the Court.
The Escort hops out of the carriage and bows to us as he leaves the doors open. With my Valtrue present, we won’t need him to come along, not that we have room for him, anyway.
The five of us sneer at Mellcom and Jeremiah as they clammer on in while we bow to the Veilatara. Their disrespect just adds another reason to the list of why I don’t fucking like them.
The Veilatara here to escort us, Fausta, is one I’ve known my entire stay in the Godsdawn. She’s a sassy beast and is ready to jump into the fray at any point and time, although she isn’t allowed to.
I lay my head against her muzzle after my brothers and Thayla before making my way to the carriage.“Thank you for carrying us. I’m grateful for you.”
Her ancient laugh rumbles across my mind.“No thanks needed, Creed. I see this will be a very interesting flight.”
I internally groan.
That can’t be good.
By the time I enter last, the tension can be cut with any of the swords strapped to us. Kyzen’s taken what would normally be the Escort’s seat and Thayla’s perched in his lap.
