Sábria groaned as she remembered that her family had been included in that exact ceremony when they’d visited Firbridge.

  The captain puffed a few times on his pipe and continued, “I think th’ only reason yer folks aren’t lyin’ dead in th’ streets is she realized at th’ last minute they’d not understood th’ ritual.” With that, he sauntered into the street.

  “Captain. Wait.” When the man looked back, she added, “Please.” She put a hand on Shirin’s shoulder. “Is your hand broken?”

  Shirin, who was obviously in pain, shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  “Can you wait just a moment, and I’ll get you back to the infirmary?”

  Nodding, Shirin met Sábria’s worried eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust your instincts. If I’ve—”

  Sábria patted her shoulder. “No need to apologize.” She walked to the man and quietly asked, “I never got her name.”

  “Prya Játhea.” He was a head taller than her and, holding his pipe inches from his mouth, he looked down with a cheerful glint in his eye. “Me ship’s th’ Boulston. We’ll be in dock for th’ next sevenday. The lass is still berthin’ with us.” With that, he ambled down the street with his pipe clamped between his teeth and his hands clasped behind his back.

  Two dangerous-looking sailors gave Sábria a wide berth as they moved around her and followed their captain. She couldn’t help believing he’d brought them as protection for his passenger in case things got ugly. And things very nearly had.

  Sighing, she turned and was met by the cook, Tomer, who held out Prya’s book. “Yer friend left this, Milady. Thought ya might want to give it back to ‘er.”

  Taking the book, Sábria put a hand on the man’s arm. “Tomer, I value people who aren’t too stubborn to listen and change. Thank you for being so open-minded.”

  The man straightened and squared his shoulders. A flush spread up his face, and he bowed low. “Yer welcome at th’ Tooth anytime, Milady. And…well.” He straightened and held Sábria’s gaze with watery eyes. “Ya honor me with yer words.”

  Squeezing his arm again, she left him to join Shirin, who was waiting for her with her injured hand tucked in close to her chest. “Let’s go get you checked out, shall we?” With eight Blades, two shivs, and one Prime walking with them as impromptu guards, they returned to the Temple. Sábria summoned Master Healer Haria to the Sanctum, where she could examine Shirin’s swollen hand in the privacy of her own room.

  CHAPTER 18

  After giving Shirin an herbal concoction to ease the pain, Master Healer Haria gently felt each knuckle bone checking for breaks. She spoke while she worked. “She slammed your hand onto the table? How, exactly?”

  Since Haria was seated next to Shirin on the sofa, Sábria had hiked a hip onto the sofa’s arm in order to watch the Healer work. Shirin looked up at Sábria. “Could you stand here, in front of the arm cushion? When Sábria complied, Shirin rested her uninjured hand on the cushion as though she were holding a knife and motioned to Sábria with her chin. “Now, grab my wrist like I grabbed hers.”

  Sábria did so, and in slow motion, Shirin flipped her fist over and pretended to rap Sábria’s knuckles against the cushion. When they were done, the Priestess resumed her place next to her friend.

  Haria was quiet a moment and then asked, “You say she’s from Olarna?” At Sábria’s nod, the Healer thought some more. “From all that you’ve told me, with her being the King Slayer—”

  Interrupting the Healer, Sábria gave her opinion of the use of that term. “She prefers the term King Maker, and I agree. It’s far better to be known for the good she did than for the killings that were necessary to save uncounted lives.”

  Haria conceded the point. “With her being the King Maker and using this move on Shirin and easily disarming her, my guess is she’s studied with the Oracles of Elugar.”

  That caught Sábria’s attention. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

  Wincing as Haria prodded a particularly sore knuckle, Shirin glanced between the two women. “I’ve never heard of them. Who are they?”

  “I’m sorry, this might hurt again, but I need a better feeling for what’s going on with that finger. Anyway, they are a community of warriors who practice the art of battle religiously, almost fanatically. Strangely enough, they are also gentle people who would rather walk away from a fight than engage, but when they do engage—”

  Shirin gasped aloud.

  Haria released her hold and patted the hand. “Sorry, that’s the worst of them, and I had to be sure of the extent of the damage.” Edging forward, the Healer picked up a glass from a low table in front of the sofa and handed it to her. “A bit more of this will help.”

  After Shirin downed the remainder of the contents, Haria retrieved the glass and replaced it on the table. “When they do engage, they are absolutely deadly. I think you were very lucky, Shirin. She must not have given you the full force of the attack because I’ve seen the results of that particular move before, and the knuckles were shattered beyond repair.”

  Shirin ran her good hand up into her hair and closed her eyes. “I’m a fool twice over, then. How many times have I taught shivs or even Blades the concept of ‘know your enemy,’ and in my arrogance, what do I do? Grab the wrist of someone who could have injured me so badly I might not ever have been able to hold a weapon in that hand again.”

  Sábria spoke quietly, “She’s not your enemy, Shirin.”

  “As I said, a fool twice over because you said as much when we went to see her, and I chose to ignore you.” She opened her eyes and looked up into Sábria’s bright blue eyes. “Again, forgive me for doubting your instincts.”

  Tucking a stray hair behind Shirin’s ear, Sábria’s lips curved up slightly. “Nothing to forgive. The Goddess has put you in the position you’re in because you don’t always do exactly as I ask. You think for yourself, and I value that. In this instance, however…” she raised her brows and shrugged, “…you probably should have followed my lead.”

  Shirin swayed slightly, “Whoa, that potion’s affecting me a bit more now than when I took the first couple of sips.”

  Haria chuckled, “Yes, the more you drink, the stronger it becomes. Let’s get you into bed so we don’t have to carry you, eh?” Haria took one arm and Sábria the other, and they led Shirin into her bedroom, where they helped her lay down on the bed.

  As the two women removed her boots and clothing, Shirin blinked sleepily up at them as she tried to keep her eyes open. “Are any bones broken?”

  Haria nodded. “Possibly this one.” She tapped the knuckle on the middle finger. “But we’ll know better in a few days. If it is, it should heal fine if you take care of it. You were very lucky.”

  As she slurred her words, Shirin’s eyes closed completely. “That’s a rel….”

  Sábria chuckled as she pulled the blankets up to Shirin’s chin. “Yes, my good friend. That’s a relief.”

  Haria pulled the bedroom door closed and walked to the center of the living room where she stopped to speak with Sábria. “I heard about Gweyir and her ship. I’m so sorry, Sábria. She was a very special woman whom we’ll all miss.” She put her hand on Sábria’s cheek. “You most of all. If you need a shoulder to cry on or just a good friend willing to listen, please, come to me.”

  Covering Haria’s hand with her own, Sábria looked deeply into the older woman’s eyes. “Thank you for your concern. And yes, I’ll miss her exuberance, her mischievous turn of phrase, and those joyful laughing eyes that found the humor in every situation. I may take you up on your offer, my friend.”

  Walking the healer to the door, Sábria let her out and then, with a sudden heavy heart, shut the door behind her.

  CHAPTER 19

  To keep her mind off of Gweyir, Sábria decided that while Shirin slept, it would be a good time to walk among the Blades to hear their reactions to the afternoon’s events. As she walked through the archway leading from the Sanctum’s garden into the Temple’s inner courtyard, she saw several groups milling about, chatting quietly amongst themselves. That in and of itself was unusual for this time of day, and she guessed they were discussing her visit to see the King Maker.

  Ailith was sitting alone at one of the tables outside the dining hall, and as Sábria strode over, she saw the shiv had propped the tip of her sword on a wooden block. The young warrior was slowly and methodically running a whetstone across one edge of the blade to sharpen it.

  Sábria sat down next to her, and when Ailith paused, the Priestess ran her thumb over the edge. “That’s an excellent edge Ailith. But then I’d expect a warrior from Dreyutha to know how to keep her weapon sharp.”

  Ailith frowned and brought her brows down low. She nodded and then resumed her methodical working of the blade.

  That was a strange reaction. Sábria turned sideways, rested her arm on the table, and leaned her head onto her fist. “Why the long face? Something bothering you?”

  Ailith lifted a shoulder and kept working. “I guess yer fasched just like Marne was.”

  “Marne was angry at you?”

  The look Ailith gave her bordered on the suspicious, and she drew out her answer. “Aye.”

  “Why?”

  “Ya don’t know?” At Sábria’s confused, slow shake of the head, Ailith shrugged. “Well, she said I needed t’ listen to ya when ya give an order, but I were just confused, that’s all. Sometimes people give an order, and then things change, and you don’t know if th’ order still stands or not.” Ailith absently rubbed the side of her head. “Ya gonna rap me like Marne done?”

  Sábria chuckled. “No.”

  “That Marne’s got one fowkin’ hard hand, that’s for fowkin’ sure.”

  “Why did she cuff you?”

  “Because ya told us to back off, and when th’ King Slayer started to leave, I stepped in her way because I didn’t know if ya wanted her to stay or no.”

  Sábria felt the side of Ailith’s head. “I don’t feel any lumps. I suppose it could’ve been worse. But in this case, Ailith, Marne was wrong. I’m not upset with you. I would have been if you hadn’t backed off when I told you to, but I was very pleased when you reacted immediately and did as I ordered.”

  Ailith glanced sideways at her. “Ya aren’t fasched then? Marne said, when ya told us to back off, I should of just backed off.”

  “As you said, Ailith, there are some fast-moving situations where a Blade, or a shiv,” she smiled into Ailith’s worried eyes when she said the word, “needs to think for themselves. I’m glad you’re able to do that, and I’m even more pleased that you reacted to my order as quickly as you did. I know all of you were just trying to protect me, although, in this instance, I didn’t need protection.”

  She again ran her hand into Ailith’s hair and rested it there as she gently caressed her temple with her thumb. “I’m sorry Marne cuffed you. I think you get enough of that right now without her adding to it. I’ll speak with her—”

  “No!” Ailith turned and shrugged Sábria’s hand off her head. “That’s all I need is fer her or anybody else to think I go whining to ya every time somebody whacks me. I’m fine, Milady, honest. I’m fine.”

  Sábria, who still had her head on her fist, grinned affectionately at her shiv. “You’re more than fine, Ailith, and I love you for being exactly who you are.”

  That brought on the second blush of the day, and Ailith went back to sharpening her sword to hide her embarrassment. When Sábria started to rise, Ailith turned her head towards her but didn’t look her in the eyes. “Milady?”

  Sábria lowered herself back down and rested her forearm on the table. She genuinely enjoyed spending time with Ailith, and she gave the young shiv her undivided attention. “Yes?”

  “Well, I know most people are sayin’ that th’ King Slayer might want to hurt ya, but I don’t think she does. I don’t think people understand evil, or th’ kind of power a cruel king can have, th’ kind of sufferin’, I mean real, hurtful, painful sufferin’ they can put on people.”

  She turned her head a bit further towards Sábria but still wouldn’t meet her eyes. “I’ve drudged fer cruel assholes before, and, well, I think what she did was kind of what you did to Prince Ewell. Not exactly, though.” She finally met Sábria’s eyes and pointed at her. “Prince Ewell attacked you, but th’ King Slayer attacked those three Kings. So that’s a bit different, aye?”

  When the Priestess nodded, Ailith continued, “But you did what you did to protect me. I’m probably not sayin’ it right, but she did what she did to protect th’ peasants and th’ bairns of that kingdom. Ya aren’t gonna go around killin’ other princes. Ya aren’t gonna kill th’ ones who aren’t evil. I mean, sure, Emperor Aloric is,” she hesitated and shrugged, “well, I’m sorry fer sayin’ it, Milady, but I don’t think she kills rulers just because they’re fools.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Do ya ken what I’m sayin’? She won’t hurt ya because,” her blush intensified, “because yer th’ best Arch Priestess I’ve ever met.” She shrugged again, “Well, not that I’ve met many, or any, fer that matter, but…,” she looked directly into Sábria’s eyes again, “…but yer wonderful, Milady, and, well, I’ve never said this before to anyone, but I love you, too.”

  Sábria pursed her lips and let the tears that had suddenly appeared run down her cheeks.

  Ailith grinned and shook her head. “Ach, yer bawlin’. Don’t do that.” She glanced around at the other people in the courtyard. “They’re gonna think I made ya bawl fer some reason.”

  Sábria stood and moved so she was pressed against Ailith’s back. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and squeezed tight. “You did, my impetuous, hotheaded, intelligent, intuitive little shiv. You most certainly did.” She kissed her hair and said quietly in her ear. “And I agree with everything you said about her. I hope we can both get to know her better, yes?”

  “Aye, Milady. I think I’d like that.”

  Wiping the tears from her eyes, Sábria patted Ailith on her shoulders and then turned to survey the other groups. She knew whom she hoped to find, and when she spotted Keavey Terrowyn talking to Geller and some of the other senior Blades, she walked over to listen to their conversation.

  Terrowyn glanced at her face, and when she noticed some stray tears, she flicked her gaze toward Ailith. “Is everything okay, Milady? Did she say something she shouldn’t have? Sometimes she lets her mouth run on and forgets to think before she opens that fanghole of hers.”

  The wind blew Sábria’s hair into her eyes, and she absently swiped it off her forehead. “No, sometimes, even though she can run on, what she has to say is perceptive and perfect.”

  Geller turned and looked up at the second floor of the Sanctum. “And Shirin’s knuckles? Will they be okay? Looked to me like they could’ve been broken.”

  “No, she was very lucky that the King Maker didn’t slam her hand down onto the table as hard as she might have.”

  Terrowyn scrunched up her eyes. “The King Maker?”

  Sábria had already said it many times that day, and she intended to keep saying it until all her Blades referred to her that way. “That’s what she likes to be called, and that’s how I’d like you to refer to her from now on unless you call her by her name, Prya. I think she’s a good woman, a true warrior, who had to make some very difficult decisions. Decisions that changed the course of her life. I plan to offer her sanctuary within the Temple, and I wanted you, as some of my leaders, the ones the others look up to and follow, to be the first to know. I believe that she, just like any other woman who needs our help, deserves our nurturing and protection.” She held every woman’s gaze in turn, wanting to convey the strength of her conviction.

  All of the women looked slightly confused, but as usual, Geller picked up on what she was trying to do. “Ya think she were in th’ right killin’ those kings?”

  “I do.”

  Geller looked down at her feet and then back up at Sábria. “If those kings did what she said, well, I think I might’ve killed them, too, if I could. I’ll welcome her into th’ Temple, Milady, and if ya like, I’ll spread th’ word that she’s under my protection.”

  “She’ll be under my protection, Ursuna, but if I have your support,” she looked around at the other Blades, “if I have all of your support, I think that will make it so much easier to welcome her home.”

  Terrowyn’s head jerked up at that, “Her home? You’re going to make her a Blade?”

  “For whatever reason, I believe the Goddess already considers her a Blade. You may not know this, but when she testified at her trial, she claimed she did what she did in Elyon’s name. Whether she’ll patrol the streets alongside you or whether she serves in a different capacity than any of us, I can’t say. But either way, I do want her to consider this her home and Elyon’s Blades, her family.”

  CHAPTER 20

  After she left Geller and the other Blades, Sábria made a quick stop in the kitchens to request that Mistress Fullman arrange for her and Shirin’s dinner to be brought to Shirin’s rooms. Next, she checked her desk in the Citadel to see whether there was anything urgent she needed to attend to. Satisfied she wasn’t needed anywhere, she chose a book from the academic library she maintained in her office and walked to the Sanctum.

  As she climbed the stairs, Emlyn came through the doors behind her carrying a large tray with two plates of food covered by silver domes and another smaller domed plate off to the side. “I’m glad I caught you, My Lady. Mistress Fullman asked me to bring your dinner to the Commander’s room.”