Page 126 of Blood Sanctuary, Part One

As theFar-Seercarried them into the open waters, Kassandra launched into a lesson on trade and economy. Cassia realized they were about to receive an entire education in a matter of hours. Her head spun, but she drank up all the information.

The dazed eyes the men had turned upon Kassandra’s loom now sharpened with interest. They soon dared to ask questions, and the lessons turned into a dialogue, sometimes a debate. Kassandra’s eyes sparked with enjoyment as she prowled the deck among her guests. Every question they fired her way, she met with an answer, another question, or a challenge.

TheFar-Seerflew along, and Cassia breathed a sigh of relief that the shores of Orthros were never out of sight. When she could spare her attention from the proceedings, she stole away to the rail for a better look. Wrapping an arm around Knight’s furry neck, she took in the view of the snowy coast.

She felt the soft certainty of a Hesperine veil wrap around her.

“You can keep looking at it,” Kassandra said beside her, “but it will not change. It is all ice and snow, ice and snow, as far as the eyes can see.”

Cassia looked at her. “As far as your eyes can see?”

“Yes.” Kassandra’s gaze was full of love for the land they beheld.

“Then everything will be all right.”

“People have the power to change anything.”

“Not an inch of Orthros will alter. The world may go up in flames, but this remains, frozen and eternal. That is the promise of Orthros, is it not? Constancy.”

“Orthros is what we make it.” Kassandra stepped back from the rail. “Come. It is time for me to present the rest of my welcome gifts.”

Cassia feared taking her eyes off the shore, but she followed Kassandra to the center of the deck.

Kassandra opened a large trunk. “For Sir Benedict, a gift befitting a warrior and a scholar.” She presented him with a metal box.

Benedict opened it to reveal fine paper and what appeared to be a set of drawing and measuring tools. A look of surprise passed over his features. “With instruments this accurate, a Prismos could draft the plans for a new temple to withstand the ages. Yet I am only a knight who was almost a temple scribe.”

“You will put them to good use.”

He stepped back, as if to make way for the other men, but Cassia saw in his steps a man fleeing. From what? Why did the oracle’s harmless gift alarm him?

“For Callen, born to farm but made to protect.” Kassandra reached into the trunk again.

The ship’s spell lights gleamed along a curve of razor-sharp steel. Cassia and the others gasped. Kassandra held out a scythe.

Callen came forward, looking with unmistakable eagerness upon the blade. “Begging your pardon, Elder Firstblood. It’s my understanding we’re not to wield weapons here.”

“This is not a weapon. It is the tool of honest, hard-working farmers like your father. You have the skill to use it and the heart to use it for good. Nowhere in Selas will anyone question why you wear a gift from the Queens’ Ritual sister at your belt.”

Cassia could scarcely believe it. Kassandra had just found a way to arm the one man in the embassy Cassia could rely on to protect her.

“You have done me a great service, Lady.” Callen accepted the gift and bowed deeply to Kassandra over the blade. He fastened it where his sword usually hung.

Kassandra ignored the other Tenebrans’ mutinous grumbles and the Cordians’ affronted expressions. “For Perita, whose insight and courage are never to be doubted.”

Cassia turned to her friend and urged her forward. Perita hesitated, but went to stand at her husband’s side.

Kassandra handed her a cloth pouch. “I think this is what you’re missing.”

Perita loosened the drawstring and peered inside, sniffing. She lifted her head quickly, then tied the bag shut again. “Elder Firstblood, I can’t fathom why you’d do yourself such a disservice.”

“To prove my good intentions. Just be gentle.”

“Aye. I’d never be otherwise.”

“What is it?” Benedict spoke up.

“A female matter,” Perita replied pertly.

---