Page 36 of Storm of Shadows

Maids hurry into the hall with arms full of stew and bread. They leave the dishes at the ends of the tables, and the priestesses distribute the food. Yadira slides me a bowl and spoon and then hands me a thick slice of bread. I can’t tell what’s in the stew, but the steam wafting up into my nose smells so good. I’m dying to eat but none of the priestesses pick up their spoons, so I force myself to wait.

The High Priestess stands. Every priestess falls silent and looks at her. She bows her head and clasps her hands together, and the priestesses all mimic her gesture. Not wanting to be seen as rude, I do the same. Even Zephyr has the sense to dip his head.

Ahelin starts to speak in a language I don’t recognize at first but suspect to be Old Selynian. I don’t understand any of the words, but I remember reading that the Priestesses of Selynis use their old language for prayer rather than Common. At various intervals, the High Priestess pauses and the priestesses echo her lines. Yadira repeats them next to me, but the syllables are too strange for my ears to decipher, so I’m forced to keep my head lowered and do my best to ignore the ravishing smell of my stew and my growling stomach.

Finally, Ahelin reaches the end of her prayer and returns to her seat. The priestesses lift their heads and begin to eat. I don’t hesitate to pick up my spoon and dig in.

“It has been long since the Magi visited our city,” the High Priestess says to me, resting her spoon against the delicate rim of her bowl. “What brings you to Esterra?”

I make a show of chewing my bread to gain me a few extra moments of thinking time. What should I tell her?

Think, Reyna. Think. What reason would a mage have to come to Esterra City?

Would it be easier to tell her the truth than to risk being caught out on my lies?

I swallow my bread and say, “I’m searching for someone.”

She raises a brow. “Who are you searching for? Perhaps I can help.”

“Um,” I say, this time having no bread to excuse my hesitation. I’m such a horrible liar. “A group of necromancers.”

I’ll tell her the truth. Then I’ll deal with breaking Natharius out of here. One hurdle at a time.

Ahelin’s expression darkens. “Necromancers?”

I give her a small nod. “They . . . they destroyed Nolderan.”

“Impossible!” the High Priestess exclaims, her golden eyes widening. The entire hall quietens, and the priestesses listen to our conversation. Yadira goes rigid beside me.

Maybe I should have left that part out. I pray I’m not making a mistake by telling the priestesses the truth.

I draw in a deep breath. “Six nights ago, this cult of necromancers stormed Nolderan with their army of undead and razed the city. Only I escaped the massacre.” I hope she doesn’t ask me how I survived. I have little desire to explain why I’m the reason my city was destroyed.

Murmurs ripple through the hall. The High Priestess narrows her eyes as she examines my expression. I can’t tell whether she believes me, but it doesn’t matter. It’s the truth.

“If this is true,” she says after a moment, more to herself than anyone else, “then we all face a grave threat. Perhaps the demon which attacked you is under their command.”

“Maybe,” I say, keeping my face as straight as I can.

Now she looks fully convinced of my words. “That means they could be close. We will search the city for them and double our security.”

My stomach sinks. This is going to make escaping with Natharius much more difficult. “I believe they are heading for Gerazad.”

“Gerazad?” Ahelin says with a frown. “What do they want with the orcs? Are they working with them, or do the necromancers intend to destroy them?”

That’s a possibility I didn’t consider. What if Arluin is working with the orcs?

“I don’t know,” I say.

Ahelin drums her fingers on the edge of her table as she thinks. “The Grand Priestess must be informed immediately. Perhaps she has foreseen such things.” With that, she rises and steps down from her platform, leaving her untouched stew. “Yadira, show Reyna back to her room when she has finished. We will discuss these matters in the morning. Tonight, I will ensure our city is secure.”

twelve

Afterdinner,Yadirainsistson escorting me back to my room, and though I’m certain I can find my own way there, the priestess will hear none of it. When we’re back in my room, she fusses over me and my injured arm, though I tell her I’m already much better after many days of rest and all her hard work. It takes much persuasion before I convince her I’ll be fine without her supervision, and then she finally leaves Zephyr and me to rest.

But I’ve no intention of resting. Not when I have a Void Prince to rescue.

I don’t begin my search right away and remain in bed for a long while, tucked up in all my blankets like Yadira left me, waiting for the right moment to begin my rescue attempt. Every time I consider throwing aside my blankets and getting to work, footsteps pace outside my room. I knit my fingers and continue to wait, doing my best to stay patient and not to torment myself with thoughts of Arluin and his necromancers and how they may have already reached Gerazad by now.

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