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and the remaining four Pentadrian leaders attacked Jarime? I could not stop them
alone. What if they are watching our movements, planning to ambush and kill us
individually if we separate? He shook his head. When we are alone we are
vulnerable.
Mairae made a small noise of disbelief. Surely you don t mean for us all to stay
in Jarime from now on? How can we defend other lands? What of our alliance
agreements?
Auraya nodded in agreement. Travelling to Si was a risk, but one worth taking.
What do you think of this, Chaia? she found herself thinking.
Juran grimaced. Our priests and priestesses can deal with most threats. We will
send them out to gather information before tackling anything ourselves.
That s hardly going to work in Si, Auraya pointed out. They d never arrive in
time.
When we have Siyee priests and priestesses that will no longer be a problem.
Which won t happen soon enough for this threat. It will be years before any
are
A sudden shift in the corner of her eye distracted her. She looked around and
realized the movement was not physical, but magical. A familiar presence
brushed her senses.
:Hello, Auraya.
She suppressed a sigh. Her celestial admirer had returned, and as usual it was at
a time when she didn t need the distraction.
What is it, Auraya? Dyara asked quietly. What do you see?
Auraya looked at Dyara. You don t sense him at all?
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Dyara shook her head. Auraya quickly glanced at Mairae and Rian, who looked
bemused. Juran was frowning. Then all expressions changed to awe and pleasure
and their eyes shifted to a place behind Auraya. She looked over her shoulder to
see a glowing figure standing there.
:Juran, the god said in greeting. Dyara, Auraya, Rian and Mairae.
Chaia, the others replied reverently, making the sign of the circle. Auraya
hastily followed their gesture. She had grown so used to Chaia s presence, it was
easy to forget the formalities the White usually followed when any of the gods
appeared.
The god began to walk around the table slowly.
:As you know, we prefer to allow mortals to choose their own paths most of the
time. Occasionally we steer your course, as we have a responsibility to guide
your actions when they do not agree with our purpose. He stopped and looked at
Juran. I must intervene now.
Juran s eyebrows knitted together. He looked down at the table.
:Your purpose is to protect our followers, not only yourselves, Chaia said.
Juran flinched. Protecting ourselves at the expense of others was not my
purpose, he said, looking up at the god. It is the long-term protection of
Circlians that I am concerned with. If one of us dies, all Northern Ithania will be
vulnerable.
Dyara nodded. I agree. If Auraya dies in Si it may lead to more deaths in the
long term.
Chaia smiled.
:If Auraya dies, then we will chose a replacement though I doubt we would
find another so talented or Gifted.
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Despite the praise, Auraya felt a chill. She had thought herself ready to risk her
life for the Siyee. Now, knowing that the gods had intended her to take that risk,
she felt fear stirring somewhere deep inside her. She felt& expendable.
Just like any soldier, she thought. Well, that s what we are. Powerful, immortal,
Gifted soldiers in the service of the gods. The irony of what she had just thought
struck her. We are called immortals only because we do not age. If we face the
sort of conflict Juran fears if we must constantly risk our lives in order to
protect Circlians then we may prove shorter lived than ordinary mortals. She
straightened her back. So be it.
I chose to serve the gods and I don t intend to stop anytime soon, though it
would be a joy to join them she told the others. I will not take any unnecessary
risks. And remember I can be back here in a day if you need me.
Juran met her eyes and held them, then nodded and turned to Chaia.
Thank you for your wisdom and guidance, Chaia, he said humbly. I will send
Auraya to Si.
The god smiled, then vanished. Auraya felt him move out of the reach of her
senses. When she looked at Juran again he was regarding her with an unreadable
expression.
The gods have favored you with unusual Gifts, he said. I should have seen
that they intended you to use them. Be careful, Auraya. It is not just your unique
abilities we would sorely miss if we lost you.
She smiled, touched. Thank you. I will.
Juran looked at the others. That is decided. We had best inform our guests. He
looked at Auraya.
I ll tell them, she said.
As they rose and the sides of the Altar began to unfold, Auraya thought of
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Chaia s appearance. She had wondered what he would think of Juran s
argument. Had she called to him without realizing it? Had he been close enough
to hear their conversation before then while still beyond the limit of her senses?
These were questions she would have to think about later. For now, she had best
consider how to approach these Pentadrians in Si without putting herself, or the
Siyee, in danger.
Old Grim looked up as the woman entered the room, and kept looking. High
cheekbones, hair black as night, a good figure though it could do with a bit
more flesh on it. As the lamplight caught her eyes he saw that they were green.
Wrinkles appeared around them, betraying her age as she smiled at her
companion.
Would have been a beauty when she was younger, he thought. Who s that she s
with? Ah, Marin. Can t help himself. Got to have a look at anything new. I can
remember him picking over the beach as a boy, looking for things washed up by
the tide.
Marin introduced the woman to his regular drinking companions but didn t stop.
To Grim s surprise the man looked up at him, winked, then guided the woman
across to Grim s table.
Evening, Marin said. This is Old Grim, he told the woman. Grim, this is
Limma Curer.
Evening, Grim said, nodding at the woman. She smiled easily. He caught the
smell of herbs and something earthier. The family name was probably an
accurate description of her trade.
Limma is interested in stories about The Gull, Marin said. I told her you d
met him. She actually believes me.
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Does she? Grim felt an old resentment begin to simmer, but when he tried to
glare at the woman his anger faded again. She met his eyes steadily. There was
something about her manner. She wanted something from him. He couldn t
imagine he had anything to offer apart from his story.
Intrigued, he lifted his goblet. A long story needs a wet mouth.
Limma laughed and reached under her tawl. He glimpsed many pouches
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