Gallel's Heir

Chapter 14: The Matriarch of Whellung

How do we do all that’s asked? How do we lift burdens that break our backs to lift? We grow, expand our understanding, our wisdom stretches and the light of the Creators surrounds us. We weep when our oppressors don’t, and we grow and love, and the burden lifts with us as our oppressors lie in the refuse.
—Anath shen Sorrel Albandor of Yambisey

“How could you have let the treaty go unsigned?” said Tavaris. He’d seen the whole meeting through the Ball of Shadows.

“A mother like Dylin is impossible to ensorcel.” Minara fidgeted. She hated failing him. “Maybe the marriage treaty doesn’t have to be officially legal in order for me to replace the strumpet when the time comes. Ach! We’ve worked too hard to let such a little thing stop us.”

“The important thing is for you to have the Ball of Lights.”

“It isn’t here,” said Minara.

 “Of course it’s there. It’s been there for two and a half thousand years.”

 “A lot can happen to a piece of crystal after so long.”

“Not to the Ball of Lights,” he said. “It’s indestructible.”

“Surely there’s something you can tell me that will help in locating it?”

 “My dear Minara, I want to live, and if you keep nagging, I might reevaluate where I want to live. Don’t you think I would tell you everything I know?”

 “Yes, of course, my love. I’m just so frustrated.”

 “Emick will wield the Ball of Lights," he said, "prophesies are never wrong. What we don’t know is who’s going to find it, or if it will appear out of nowhere in his hands. If it’s you who finds it, my coming to life will be simpler. If not, it’s a matter of stealing it. You usually have a knack for ensorceling. The Ball of Lights will be in our hands soon enough.”

 “There’s another mage in Gallel,” she said, hoping to change the subject.

 “Is there? I’d nearly given up hope.”

 “The fire in Kampten was very effective in weeding her out. She’s inexperienced, but very strong. She’s the little Galian strumpet’s friend.”

 “How is it you didn’t know about her?”

 “This is the first time I’ve been to Gallel. I’ve never actually met Lianna. When I heard reports of a healer, I assumed it was the mother.”

 “You should know to never assume anything.”

 “Lianna and the others are gone, so this Ophia is vulnerable. I could take her any time.”

 “Foolish Minara, too soon. What would we do with her until we find the Ball? People would miss her, and we don’t need that kind of chaos yet. Keep track of her, though. She’ll be ready and available when we need her.”

 ***

 Canúden stood with Dylin against the sloop’s portside railing, the sun’s warm slanting rays at their backs, and the sharp sea air filling their nostrils. Dylin had said winter never touched Feer, and he’d hardly believed her until he’d felt the fact; winter’s first month had passed, and Feer lay green and balmy.

 Her breath rasped in her chest when The Seabird docked. Lianna and Ma were likely in the stern gathering their things; his ma, Harren, had decided to accompany them. The sailors dashed from port to aft and onto the dock to secure the ship with thick ropes. Shouts and the rumble of talking filled the dock’s air like a thick but distant storm cloud. The reality of their presence, that they were Dylin’s people, and that Canúden could do nothing to rescue Lianna from her fate, bespoke doom. He whispered, “We’ll get through this.”