The Son of Thunder

Chapter Twenty-One

Lorid demanded that Magpie continue going to the Playground for the phasely announcements, but she hated hearing the death toll. Since Annadam insisted on accompanying her everywhere, she joined them. And since Annadam and Dark had wed, he was also part of their party. Declarations were posted regarding a special report, so the Playground was particularly crowded. Even Hawk joined them.

Glenada was sulking. No letters or presents followed the first and she insisted it was Magpie's fault for not pursuing the connection. Magpie didn't tell her the contents of the letter and wouldn't have even if she had understood it. Magpie had hidden it in the back of a drawer and didn't dare ask anyone to read it for her. Glenada had said when they left that she didn't care to know which female had won the Son of Thunder. Though the Son of Thunder hadn't shown interest in any of the other females from the preview, they would have known if the war was over.

The loge was crowded with rulers. Not only Shawna, Lightening, Warrior and Beast, but Eternity, Rhysya, Fatelle, Yuanshi, Camilia and their child. The platform was glutted with bodies.

At first, Thundonia had tried attacking Acidonia outright, but after three frontal attacks had ended with complete fatality, without a single survivor even living long enough to return to Thundonia, no further such attacks had been made. The people were holed up inside and waited for a resolution.

Shawna was the best ruler of all, because she didn't keep the audience in suspense. She requested Rhysya join her at the front of the loge and announced that she was married and with child. "Fatelle has attested that Rhysya is carrying a daughter and that Rhysya's husband is a worthy mate."

Annadam was as green as an Acidonian. She whispered to Dark. Her words buzzed, she spoke so fast. Magpie distinctly heard her reference Rasha. "He couldn't have returned without us knowing," she said. Magpie also caught the word "faithless."

The Playground erupted with noise. Joy was not the prevailing sentiment. The ruling party surrounded Rhysya and congratulated her. The Son hugged her. Shawna said something to him that made him go to his seat and sulk.

Lorid leaned to Magpie. "I'm sorry, Magpie, but I have to agree with your mother. You should have gone to visit him after that note."

* * * * *

Rhysya slept in Lightening's bed regardless of an Acidonian scare. Many times she would creep to his room during siesta instead of praying or she would kneel beside him and pray with him. At dinner, she sat beside Lightening instead of Eternity. Lightening began pushing her to try meats from his plate.

"You killed for that meat and I'll never condone it."

"The animal is dead. It no longer cares."

Still no.

But Lightening had changed also. Pulling chairs for women with child was an honored custom and Lightening was eager to follow it any time Rhysya took her meals or sat in the conference room. He was more patient than he had been before (though he wouldn't admit that he was ever lacking in patience). He ignored Warrior's sneers, but he couldn't quite push worry from his mind.

When Lightening passed Shawna's door, he heard Eternity assaulting his character. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but curiosity and rage froze him to his place.

"Lightening is exceptionally pleasant these days," Eternity said. The statement was not insulting, but the tone of her voice carried her meaning.

Shawna replied, "He's always been pleasant. You never noticed."

"Well, if Lightening was as rude as you are, I'd have no reason to be concerned, but since you insist that he's as pleasant always as he has been lately, I'm concerned about our peoples."