A Barrel of Vintner - Chapter 9

Yesterday, I broke the 85K-word mark for A Barrel of Vintner. And I'm still about 20K away from the end. I know what's going to happen. It's a matter writing it out.

Unfortunately, it hasn't been a good week for writing. Long story. Needless to say, this book will not be released in February. However, I'm close. So close I can taste it. And now, here's a little taste for you!

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To my surprise, it wasn’t Chief Warden White Owl who caught up with Alara and escorted her from the senior staff dining room, but another warden I did not know. The remaining wardens, including White Owl, exchanged looks, obviously unsure of what to do next.

I couldn’t help wondering what else our Reverend Mother was trying to hide.

Hera cleared her throat. “What Skoloti prophesies are you talking about, Anthea?”

“With all due respect, Chief Justice, perhaps this isn’t a discussion you want to be shared with the entire staff of Balance?” White Owl murmured.

Callisto cocked her head. “Thomas?”

One of the stewards jumped to attention and rushed to her side. “Yes, my lady.”

“Have the main course brought in along with the appropriate utensils, plates, and bowls for Chief Warden White Owl,” she ordered. “And please make sure a meal is taken to the Reverend Mother.”

“Yes, m’lady.” Thomas bowed before he scurried off to fulfill our second’s command.

“The rest of you wardens are dismissed to your own dinner,” Callisto continued.

The rest of the wardens filed out after conferring with their respective justices. All of them except my own.

“Long Feather, Jonata?” White Owl prodded.

“They stay,” I said. “They already know about the prophecies, having been present when the Skoloti ambassador addressed the subject with me. I guarantee their conduct, Chief Warden. And their silence in the matter.” I shrugged. “Besides, I’d simply tell them what happens here after we retire for the evening.”

Callisto groaned and rubbed her temples. “Why must you turn the entire Temple upside down, Anthea? Do you get perverse joy in upsetting everyone and everything?”

“No, I do not,” I said. “If you wish to be rid of me, Reverend Mother Hózhó of Diné, Reverend Mother Fumiko of Ryukyu, Reverend Mother Xiang of Jing, and Reverend Mother Hoku of O’ahu have each offered a place to me. You or Reverend Mother Alara would merely need to sign the transfer order, and I will no longer be your problem.”

Callisto lowered her hands to her lap. “Do you wish to leave Issura?”

She actually appeared concerned I would demand a transfer. Now, why would she of all people wish to keep me here?

“I don’t, but I also do not like our own Reverend Mother spreading gossip about me to other Balance Temples.” I sighed again. “Just like I know you must tell her everything that is said at this dinner, and who said what.”

“Anthea is correct though, Callisto,” Hera murmured. “Balance rarely sends prophecies to any oracle, but when such happens, it should be shared with the other senior clergy of our order.”

We all grew silent as Thomas and the two other stewards bustled into the dining room. Thomas replaced the used items at Alara’s seat and laid fresh utensils and ceramics for White Owl while his associates set platters with the main course in front of the rest of us.

“Was the stew not to your liking, Chief Justice?” the female steward murmured.

I smiled at her. “It was excellent. I’m afraid after four months on a ship my taste for seafood has waned.”

“Then it’s a good thing our cooks prepared chicken this evening,” she said with a grin.

But when she reached for the bowl, I held up my hand. “If you don’t mind, may Warden Long Feather have the stew? He was rather distraught we missed clamming season.”

“Of course.” The steward looked my warden. “If you need anything else tonight, Warden Long Feather, please have a squire fetch me.”

Jonata coughed into her elbow to hide her chuckle at the steward’s flirtatious manner.

Long Feather’s ears turned a brilliant orange at the woman’s insinuation. “I appreciate your solicitude, Steward…”

“Blue Dolphin,” she answered.

White Owl hid her own mouth.

“Thank you, Blue Dolphin,” I said politely. “Could you please get us another bottle of wine? I have a feeling we may need it before we are done with the meal.”

“Of course, Chief Justice.” She inclined her head and strode from the dining room.

I appreciated the fact that I wasn’t being treated as an oddity by people here, even those at the home Temple I’d never met before.

“Thomas, would please also bring chairs and settings for Chief Justice Anthea’s wardens?” Callisto said. “They will be joining us for dinner since they were present at the demon incursions in Ryukyu and Jing.”

“Yes, m’lady.” He nodded and rushed off again.

The other two stewards helped me and the wardens in moving the justices’ chairs and dinnerware towards Callisto’s place. I was rather glad to keep Jonata and Long Feather closer to me, given the volatile subjects we would be discussing. Not to mention, Long Feather was between me and White Owl. I wasn’t sure how much the chief warden rested under Alara’s thumb.

While Thomas and the other male steward brought everyone their meals and fresh bread and Blue Dolphin retrieved the extra bottle of wine, Oriana and her warden returned. She obviously had counted her steps because when her warden stopped her, she said, “Why are we rearranging the dining room?”

“Sit and give me your hand,” Hera muttered.

She silently explained the things Oriana had missed to her while White Owl, Jonata, and Long Feather assisted the other justices to settle in their chairs. Once everyone was seated and Oriana’s warden dismissed, Callisto commanded the stewards to leave the dining room. After they departed, she rose and laid wards as I passed my clam stew to Long Feather. Thankfully, he remembered his manners and refrained from gulping it down before Callisto returned to her chair.

She surprised me when she bowed her head and spoke the traditional prayer of gratitude to Mother and Child for the bounty on our table. The Balance second had never struck me as particularly spiritual. If she were, maybe that was why she’d been so adamant about punishing me for trying to escape our Temple by giving myself sight, thereby defying our Goddess.

Callisto took a sip of her own wine before she said, “Anthea, let us start with the attack on Chengzhou and the death of Emperor Chengwu. How did you learn of it, and why did you accompany the crown prince back to Jing?”

“I would ask for both our queen and our Temple’s sakes none of this leaves this room,” I said.

Callisto opened her mouth.

“And when you report to the Reverend Mother, Callisto, for the love of Balance, please ward the room you are in,” I pleaded.

“Of course,” she murmured.

I launched into the tale of our experiences over the last six months. At least, those experiences pertinent to my sisters’ duties. Other than occasional questions to clarify a point, the sisters and White Owl listened raptly.

“I can’t believe Reverend Mother Xiang truthspelled you,” White Owl blurted.

“I would have done the same in her position,” Oriana said. “Trust, but verify.”

“That should have been our Temple motto.” Hera laughed.

“With the renegades infiltrating everywhere, I cannot blame either Emperor Po or Queen Teodora for wanting Anthea on this mission,” Iphigenia said. “There’s been questions among both the Temples and the nobility as to who else was aligned with Samael DiRoy and Cora DiMara.”

“I take it there’s been no progress on finding the renegade within our own home Temple,” I said.

White Owl bristled as I expected. “What are you saying? That I haven’t been performing my duties?”

“Then please tell me you found Justice Melanippe,” I said sorrowfully.

White Owl could no longer meet my gaze.

“How did you find out she was missing?” Callisto asked.

“She was Justice Erato’s mentor when the girl was a novice.” I sipped my wine. “Since Erato started the eastern Orrin circuit, she had been writing to Melanippe. The replies stopped about a year ago. When she mentioned it to me last winter, I told Erato the Reverend Mother had probably assigned new duties to Melanippe, and I was sure she enjoyed Erato’s letters. But Melanippe was supremely conscientious when we were novices together. She wouldn’t ignore letters from a fellow justice, much less personal correspondence from her protégé.”

“We don’t know what happened,” Oriana said. She speared a stalk of last-of-the-season asparagus with her fork as if the innocent vegetable were a demon. “Her warden went to wake her. Not only was Melanippe gone, so were her personal belongings.”

“I and all of my people were truthspelled, Chief Justice,” White Owl snapped. “No one saw or heard anything that night.”

“And both I and Callisto attempted to rewind Melanippe’s quarters,” Oriana said. “A backlash spell of some sort nearly killed me. When Callisto tried, it was like time had been scoured clean in the bedchamber.”

“I’ve experienced one of those backlash spells during a murder investigation,” I murmured. “I’m glad you survived.”

“But why take or kill Justice Melanippe?” Jonata asked. “From what you and Justice Erato have said, she’s not the type the renegades would seek to recruit. Did she learn something, maybe something she didn’t think twice about, that someone felt the need to eliminate her?”

White Owl glared at her, and the other justices had various degrees of shock on their faces. I’d forgotten how much I broke Temple tradition in Orrin, but the need for intelligent, capable wardens had outweighed ancient etiquette. White Owl turned to me.

“Do you always allow your wardens such latitude, Chief Justice?” The chief warden voice was brittle.

I snorted. “Given the rate we’ve been losing Light clergy in Orrin over the last two years, I’ve not only had to train our wardens as mine and Justice Yanaba’s rewind witnesses, but also teach them how to look for evidence at the scenes of alleged crimes. And I’ve been wondering the same thing as Warden Jonata for the last six months.” I tapped my fingers on the table. “Melanippe is not the type to run away, even with assistance. Why not abduct one of the chief justices since they are more privy to Temple happenings and knowledge?”

“The demons and skinwalkers couldn’t break Chief Justice Elizabeth,” Long Feather mused. “Perhaps they believed someone of a lower rank, but still close to the Reverend Mother, would be more susceptible to torture.”

Iphigenia audibly gagged.

“If you’re going to be sick, leave the room,” Callisto snapped.

“She should be sick,” I bit back. “We all should be. What these monsters do should make every human sick, but there are those fools who enjoy such terrible things. They actually believe the demons won’t turn on them in the end.”

“You think you are stronger than us because you faced demon armies,” Callisto argued.

“I think I’m stronger when I’m united with my sisters and the rest of the human race against our enemies,” I said softly. “What about Phthia? Please tell me she’s not missing, too.”

“She…” Hera paused, no doubt expecting someone, particularly Callisto, to interrupt her. When none of the other justices said anything, Hera continued. “She’s at the Healers Guild. Her blood pressure rose to dangerous levels, and the babe isn’t due for another three weeks. The healers are using their talents in addition to lavender and fennel extract to keep her from having a brainstorm before she gives birth.”

I frowned even though the other justices couldn’t see me. “Is this becoming a common occurrence? There were several priestesses on bedrest in Orrin before I left.” “Child believes it’s a combination from fear of a demon attack and pressure for the Temples especially to produce more children,” Hera said. “Thank the Twelve, Oriana had no such difficulties during her pregnancy.”

“I thank Them every blessed day,” Oriana murmured.

“If I may ask additional questions, Chief Warden?” Long Feather was polite, but I detected the edge to his request.

White Owl glanced at me before she turned to him. “Of course, Warden. I did not mean to countermand any orders your chief justice had given you.”

“Were all the home Temple justices truthspelled in addition to the wardens and staff?” he asked. “And were any of you truthspelled by clergy other than Light?”

I cursed under my breath. My own prejudices hadn’t allowed me to conceive of Long Feather’s point, but after everything that had happened over the last two years, I should have anticipated his concern. And unease twisted to real fear over Luc and Yar staying at their home Temple.

A startled expression appeared on White Owl’s face. “Only Light participated in our questioning. No other Temple would interfere, nor would the Reverend Mother tolerate such.”

“Except the renegades have targeted all Temples of Light for infiltration over the last thirty to forty years,” I said. “Our enemies are playing a longer game that we are, and it’s time we caught up.”

A Barrel of Vintner - Chapter 8

I'm still writing the eleventh book in the Justice series. It's just over 75,000 words and still going. At this point, the last last three books will be as hefty as A Cup of Conflict.

But I'm still having a blast, and I'm not quite ready for Anthea's tales to be over. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

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Thankfully, my wardens and I had plenty of time before the Reverend Mother’s evening meal to take long baths and soak the fish odor and sea salt out of our pores. As much as I loathed letting anyone at the home Temple touch our belongings, I had Long Feather take our clothing down to the launderer. After the three weeks between O’ahu and Issura with limited fresh water to clean ourselves, the leather, silks, and cottons were as ripe as our bodies.

While Long Feather took his bath, Jonata braided my hair and pinned it up. I rather missed simply tying my locks back with a leather thong as I had during the last leg of our trip. But as she pointed out, we were in Issura’s capital, serving the queen directly, and certain standards and decorum needed to be adhered to.

No one from the staff came to fetch us despite protocol. Therefore, the three of us headed to the first floor at a quarter of a candlemark before First Evening. The Temple’s public areas were strangely quiet this close to sunset. Even though Balance was the creator of the World, Her order did not worship her the way the other Temples honored their deities. But there was music, games, and intellectual debates to entertain the residents in the evenings. The three of us didn’t even run into staff or wardens in the hallways. Odder still, no wardens stood outside of the Reverend Mother’s private dining room, so I knocked.

No answer came. I pushed the lever and opened the door.

“It’s dark,” Long Feather muttered.

He was right from his perspective. No oil lamps were lit, and no Light balls glowed in their alabaster globes. There wasn’t even any heat signatures on the table or chairs to indicate anyone had been in the room recently. I knew Blade’s nose was firmly planted in the Reverend Mother’s arsehole, but this was the first time she had out-and-out lied to me.

I resisted the urge to make an improper comment. The Twelve only knew if Alara had someone hidden nearby to repeat whatever I said.

So, the games had begun.

“Let’s check the senior staff dining room.” I closed the door and headed for the residential area for the in-house justices at a brisk stride, my wardens on my heels.

I hated political one-upmanship, and I suspected maybe Blade had been ordered to lie to me about the location of the dinner. Or Alara had deliberately lied to her chief of staff in the hopes I would berate the poor woman.

On the other hand, I doubted the Reverend Mother realized how much she’d taught me in playing psychological games. Ironically, I needed to thank her for my education.

But it wouldn’t be tonight.

We heard the voices and laughter coming from the senior staff’s dining room long before we reached the wardens guarding the entrance. They both inclined their heads to me and pushed open the double doors.

When I entered, the sudden silence was deafening. None of the justices moved, but their wardens turned their heads as one and stared at me. No doubt my colleagues watched me through their guards’ eyes.

Even odder, two of the senior staff were missing. I’d learned about Justice Melanippe’s disappearance before we left for Jing last winter. So, where was Justice Phthia?

“Nice of you to join us this evening, Anthea,” Reverend Mother Alara said from the head of the table, poisoned honey dripping from her lips.

“I beg forgiveness for my tardiness, Reverend Mother,” I said politely. “After three weeks at sea, I’d forgotten how good a bath felt. Luckily, my wardens kept me from accidentally drowning when I fell asleep.”

“Take a seat, Little Death Wish.” She gestured at the empty seat immediately to her right. “You’ve already missed the first course.”

“I shall apologize to your chef.” I strode toward my assigned seat. “I meant no insult to them. I am sure the cuisine is excellent.” I wasn’t going to apologize to the old biddy in front of me again. I’d learned through bitter experience the gesture was not appreciated.

Her second Chief Justice Callisto wore a sour look from where she sat at the opposite end of the rectangular wood table. She’d made it clear she thought Alara had gone too easy on me during my hearing after I gave myself sight.

Once I was seated, one of the stewards stepped forward and poured wine into the silver goblet at my place. Jonata immediately seized the cup and took a drink.

“The ’42, m’lady.” She set the cup back down. The rest of the Balance wardens stared at her, appalled at her presumption.

“Thank you, Warden,” I replied before I took my own sip.

“Don’t trust anyone in your own Temple, Anthea?” Chief Justice Hera mocked across the table from me. The head of novice training could be acerbic, but she was gentler with the children forced into Temple life than her predecessor had been with me and the other girls close to my age.

“My chief warden trusts no one but the people he has personally trained.” I chuckled. “Wardens Long Feather and Jonata have taken his orders to return me back to Orrin alive quite literally.”

My jocularity seemed to ease the tension in the dining room.

Until the Reverend Mother spoke again.

“And your reason for attending the queen before extending proper courtesies to the head of your home Temple?”

“Prince White Eagle didn’t brook any discretion in the matter, Reverend Mother,” I said lightly. “When given a choice between lashed for insubordination by the leader of Balance and beheaded for disobeying the queen, I took the option that wouldn’t leave my wardens open for discipline.”

Alara cackled. “Well said, Little Death Wish. How was your journey to Jing?”

“The journey itself was fraught,” I replied. “The captain of Emperor Po’s personal guard was sorely afflicted with seasickness. During the two winter storms the ship encountered, we resorted to dosing him with soma tears so he wouldn’t starve, and the rest of us could sleep.”

The rest of the justices tittered uncomfortably at my mention of the poppy drug.

“The queen told you of the latest problem to plague Issura,” Alara stated.

“Yes, she did.” I took another sip of wine despite the urge to gulp down the entire cup. I couldn’t become intoxicated. Not while I was in the capital. “She also asked me to remain in Standora to assist in the investigation.”

“There’s no investigation,” Alara scoffed. “Some idiot at Vintner mixed up batches of soma tears with pain powder during the drying process. Brigid is trying to deflect blame from her own people by alleging a conspiracy to sabotage their stores.”

“However, this wouldn’t be the first time Vintner’s stores to the Healers Guild houses have been subverted to cause harm. The Orrin healers had to destroy their entire stock of base oil the winter before last.” I swallowed my revulsion, but even I wasn’t sure if it were Alara’s asinine attitude toward a peer, my own near death due to the poisoned oil, or the clam stew placed before me that caused the twisting in my gut.

I had no doubt Alara had her chef prepare clam stew because she knew I hated it.

This time, Long Feather took the bowl and tasted the soup. The stewards gave us both offended looks, but they said nothing and continued to serve the justices.

“Who is heading this investigation if it is not us?” Chief Justice Oriana asked.

“The prince consort is leading the investigation personally,” I said. “The queen ordered the Mars Tranquilus home shortly after we docked at Kou.” I forced a disappointed sigh. “Duke Marco will not be pleased with the lack of time Captain Titus had to trade in O’ahu, but the message delivered by King Keanu’s courier was very explicit.”

My attempt to change the subject had no effect.

“But why recruit you unless the intent was to undermine the Reverend Mother?” Callisto snarled. Of course, Alara would sic her pet dog on me. I didn’t realize until I gained my sight how much Callisto resembled one of the Briton hunting breeds. She was too volatile to succeed Alara as Reverend Mother, but she was as loyal as the canine she resembled.

“You would have to ask the queen as to her reasoning, sister, I said. “I am not privy to her thought process.”

“So, you rushed back because of a foul-up by Vintner, not because Queen Teodora passed?” Chief Justice Iphigenia asked.

“The message delivered to me said our late queen had been collected in Death’s arms and High Brother Luc and I were required to return with all due haste.” I took another sip of wine. “I didn’t learn about the issue with the medications until a cutpurse robbed and stabbed a woman as she left the market right in front of us shortly after the prince consort and his guards escorted my party from the dock. At which point, the prince consort admitted that was the true reason for our immediate recall.”

“The child should have consulted me.” Alara bit out.

“I agree the queen should have,” I said smoothly. “Is there a particular reason why she didn’t, Reverend Mother?”

“What are you insinuating?” she snapped.

The other justices’ expressions held various degrees of unease, except Callisto who looked almost joyful. But then, she was the one of the justices who advocated for me to lose my head when I gave myself sight.

“I’ve been gone from Issura for the last six months, Reverend Mother,” I said coolly. “I’ve had no contact with the home Temple during that time. Only Balance knows what happened here while I’ve been gone.”

“You couldn’t talk the emperor of Jing into allowing you the use of his concubine?” Callisto sneered.

I swallowed a few choice obscenities. How had the Reverend Mother found out about Shi Hua’s distance speaking talent?

“I am confused, sister.” Keeping my expression neutral, I rather enjoyed pretending ignorance despite my misgivings. “How would lying with another woman enable me to communicate with the Reverend Mother?”

The other three justices snickered. However, it was interesting Alara also kept a neutral face.

“Is the new emperor that selfish, Anthea?” she quietly asked.

I recognized the potential danger and emitted an exaggerated sigh. “Prior to becoming emperor, Quan Po made no secret he wished to bed me. If I asked to borrow his lady wife—” I emphasized the last two words. “—to communicate with someone here, he would learn of the subject and what was said, not to mention the price would be too steep. And for our own sovereign’s sake, I hope any word of the empress’s talents have not spread beyond this Temple.”

“So, why did you hide this information from me?” Alara’s tone could have sliced through ice in a mountain lake during deep winter.

“The same reason I do not ask who your distance speaker is, Reverend Mother. With the spate of distance speakers being murdered, I do not share such information lightly.” I dipped my spoon in the stew and consumed a small amount of broth. Just enough to be polite.

“Come now, Anthea,” Hera teased “With the new edict to procreate, aren’t you the least bit curious of what the emperor would be like in bed?”

“Not enough to risk my reputation as Issura’s ambassador or as an impartial justice,” I said mildly. “Nor do I want to create an enemy of the new empress. Not to mention, the Jing emperor has no significant talent, which is why he petitioned his nation’s Temples for permission to marry a priestess.”

Callisto choked on her soup, spraying the table in the process.

“Who did he marry?” Iphigenia asked with true curiosity.

“Former Sister Shi Hua of Light,” I said. “Reverend Father Jin of Light granted her disposition to leave the order to marry Quan Po. They wed prior to arriving in Jing.”

“Wh-what?” Callisto blurted. “His concubine was a Light priestess? That is illegal!”

“How?” I asked.

“Laying with him before the edict—” she started.

“Didn’t happen,” I cut her off. “He had plenty of other bedmates to choose from. And when the edict came down last year, his respect for her true position is part of the reason she agreed to marry him prior to arriving in Jing.”

“How does acting High Brother Jeremy feel about her marriage to another man?” Alara asked.

“Is an edict to allow marriage for us clergy about to come as well?” I asked.

“No,” she admitted reluctantly.

“Then why do his feelings matter?” I said gently. “We all learn duty as novices. He knows his, and when we left last winter, he was enjoying the chaos any newborn brings to a household, even a Temple’s.”

Oriana chuckled. “Speaking of which, may I be excused, Reverend Mother? It is time for Theodore’s last feeding.”

“Go.” Alara wore a faintly disgusted expression. “I don’t need to hear a hungry babe wailing all night.”

“Congratulations, Chief Justice!” I said brightly. The odd thing was I actually meant the compliment. “I pray the Twelve have given you a strong, healthy babe.”

She blushed and nodded. “Thank you, Anthea. He is.” She rose, and her warden led her from the dining room. “I’ll return shortly, Reverend Mother,” she called over her shoulder.

Once she left, I said, “And that’s another reason I wouldn’t bed Emperor Po, Hera. I cannot have children, and the emperor has little talent compared to his parents’ abilities. It would be a pointless exercise, whereas his lady wife has already proven she is fertile and will most likely give him a child with Light talent.”

“That doesn’t mean he is fertile,” Alara said slyly.

“No, it doesn’t.” I wasn’t about to discuss Shi Hua already being with child. Besides, if Alara knew about Shi Hua’s distance speaking talent, then she probably already knew the empress was pregnant. The imperial couple had formally announced their joyous news at the end of the Spring Rituals. “However, I am more concerned about the recent demon attacks. It hasn’t been just the battle last winter in the Jing capital. We encountered Skandza langskips manned by skinwalkers on our way to the Old Continent. Not to mention, there are entire villages missing in the Kingdom of Ryukyu and the United Dulohans. From my discussion with the Reverend Mother of Balance in O’ahu, these aren’t isolated incidents along the Peaceful Sea. Has any other nations been harassed or had a major offensive launched against them?”

“Yes,” Iphigenia blurted. “Nearly every nation has reported some kind of harassment since the demons’ Jing offensive. Nothing like what happened to Tandor and Rambla, but—”

“But how many are internal affairs like in Ryukyu that were blown out of proportion?” Alara snapped. “And really, Anthea? How could you interfere with another nation’s Temple of Balance?”

I laughed, which only served to irritate her further from her scowl. “I didn’t interfere. I was merely a convenient accident Ogusuku used to undermine Reverend Mother Fumiko’s authority.”

“Did you really fall into a demon hole during the Battle of Naha?” Hera’s barely hidden trepidation dripped from her words.

“The demon opened the hole right under our feet, so yes, I fell.” I sighed. “Except something went wrong. We didn’t land in the demons’ domain. It was someplace much worse. With creatures that caught and ate demons as easily as they do with us.” I shuddered at the memory of the screams of the demon that tried to evade me.

Alara harrumphed loudly. “I read your alleged report Fumiko forwarded. I don’t believe for one instant a human can fly.”

“Why not?” I asked dryly. “There are movers who can move their own bodies as well as objects.”

“Or that you met any of the Twelve.” Her voice rose. Maybe I could get some answers if she truly lost her temper.

“They never claimed to be the entities we think of when we worship,” I said. “They extended their assistance to get me home, for which I was grateful.”

“Do you think you are so special a deity would do favors for you?” she shouted.

“They treated me better than a dried-up ancient hag who told me I had a foreordained destiny!”

“I should have never told you, you conniving little twat!”

“Why? Because you withheld the actual truth?” Sarcasm filled my tone. “That I was one of the three women prophesized to ensure Bao Quan Po sits on the Jing throne?”

Blood drained from Alara’s head until her skin was a pale greenish-yellow. “The rest of you need to leave,” she ground out.

“No, they need to stay.” It was all I could do to keep my voice level. “We all should have been told about the Skoloti Balance novice’s prophecies. They knew the demons would return long before the damned things showed themselves. The Skoloti sent the news to every single Balance Temple. Why did you hide this information from your own sisterhood?”

Waves of fury flowed from Alara, and she rose to her feet. “This dinner is done.” She stomped toward the door.

Apparently, I’d pushed her harder than I realized since she left without the chief warden to guide her.

A Barrel of Vintner - Chapter 7

Taxes are done and filed as of last night! Woo-hoo! I love getting those off my plate. My spring is free to write and publish. Which also means, I can focus on finishing A Barrel of Vintner before the end of February!

Yep, I'm on the downhill slide of the story, and big changes are coming to the Justice universe! I'm having fun, and I hope the readers will love this novel.

To whet your appetites, here's the next chapter!

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The wardens, Luc, and I disembarked from the Mars Tranquilus, and we squeezed into the carriage once again. Our driver clicked his tongue, and we rolled back into the city and toward the Temple District. My hands shook, and I hid them in the sleeves of my robes despite the warmth of the day.

“I’d feel better if we stayed in one of the inns by the docks,” Jonata murmured under her breath.

From the expressions on Long Feather and Yar’s faces, they agreed with her.

“Things will be much worse for all of us if we offend our Temple leaders,” Luc said.

“I can’t speak for Light, but all of us from Balance in Orrin have had the same suspicions as the queen for some time,” Long Feather said.

“Really?” The skin of my face stretched as my right eyebrow climbed my forehead.

“We know how intelligent you are, m’lady,” Yar said. “It does not mean the warden corps are not intelligent as well.”

“When did I or the Chief Justice ever say you weren’t?” Luc asked.

“Neither of you have, High Brother,” Jonata said. “But frankly, we fear you both have more enemies in Standora than Emperor Po did in Chengzhou.”

“That would be a lot of enemies.” I chuckled, hoping to ease the tension within the carriage.

However, no one else made a sound at my poor attempt at jocularity. Instead, the tension inside the carriage grew as we passed Death and Vintner. My own dread threatened to drown me as we passed Love and Conflict.

The royal carriage stopped far too soon in front of the steps of Balance. I gritted my teeth and exited after Long Feather. The footman handed our bags to us. I turned around to see Luc and Yar had followed Jonata out of the carriage.

“High Brother, you do not have to disembark,” the driver protested. “I will take you and your warden across the street.”

Luc laughed. “I assure you, my good man, I have no issues crossing the street. It’s the easiest thing I’ve had to do over the last six months.”

“But I was ordered—”

“Don’t fret,” I said. “By the time you convince the high brother, he will cross the street, climb the steps, and be wrapped in blankets and asleep. Thank you very much for delivering us safely to the Temples.” I bowed.

Our driver tugged the brim of his woven straw hat. “As you say, Chief Justice. I’m at your party’s disposal while you’re in Standora. Send a Temple page up to the palace and have them ask for Luigi.”

“Thank you, again, Luigi.”

Yar handed each man a gold piece from what was left of my horde. They both touched the brims of their hats before the driver clicked his tongue and called out, “Forward.” The horses set off toward the palace at the same languid pace they use used for our entire trip from the palace. The footman waved at us from his perch on the back of the carriage.

I swallowed the bile burning the back of my throat and turned to Luc. “Shall we meet you on the steps of Light a half-candlemark before First Afternoon?”

I knew I attempted to stall the inevitable, but Luc had the same nervous expression I was sure I wore. He laughed uneasily.

“The capital Temples may be larger, but even I can reach Thief in a few heartbeats.”

“I know.” I looked up at Yar. “You stay in his room regardless of propriety.”

The giant warden chuckled. “Your wardens and I have already had that very discussion, m’lady.”

“Try to get some sleep tonight,” Luc added. “I have a feeling Reverend Father Grey Shadow will run us ragged before the week is out.”

“It’s only Second Day,” I spluttered.

“Exactly,” he replied before he and Yar turned and crossed the street. The warden’s huge bulk shielded my love from being run over while Luc avoided the manure that hadn’t been cleaned up from the cobblestones yet.

I could feel Jonata and Long Feather’s tension on top of my own as we pivoted and climbed the steps of Balance.

Two wardens I didn’t know guarded the main doors. There had been a time when those doors would be open on such a warm day as this. Not anymore. Not with the demons on the move in our world again.

I pushed back my hood so there was no mistaking my identity. “Chief Justice Anthea of Orrin. I require lodging for me and pallets for my wardens while we stay in the capital.”

Both of the women guarding the door bowed. “Welcome home, Chief Justice,” the one on my right murmured before she pushed the door behind her open and shouted, “Squire!”

A small child raced out of the Temple. He breathlessly stopped in front of me and bowed. “I shall take your bags, Lady Justice.”

It took all of my willpower not to laugh at his earnest expression. He couldn’t have been more than seven winters. My largest pack was nearly the same size as the squire.

“Thank you for your service,” I said. “I merely need know where to place my belongings before I extend my respects to the Reverend Mother.”

He bowed again. “This way, Lady Justice.”

“Good afternoon, wardens,” I said before we followed the squire through the main doors. It had been seven years since the last I’d been here, but I didn’t recall the miasma of grief permeating the Temple’s walls. Perhaps it was a symptom of what was happening within the capital.

Court wasn’t in session. “Please wait a moment, Squire…”

He took the hint. “Antonio, Lady Justice.”

I smiled at the child. “Please wait a moment, Squire Antonio.”

I strode across the slate floor, stopped before the basalt statue of Balance, and bowed. I didn’t offer thanks for our successful voyage to Jing. She wouldn’t care or answer. Instead, I whispered, “I wish I understood your plan. Knowledge would be helpful in serving your purpose.”

As usual, she refused to answer.

I returned to our group, and the squire led us up the right staircase to the third floor. Once again, I swallowed my humor. The last time I was in the capital, I was assigned a small room with the novices on the second floor, one of the Reverend Mother’s subtle digs. I wondered why I suddenly rated a dignitary suite.

Voices came from within the suite before the squire opened the door. Inside, the air was overly warm and stuffy. Maybe it was due to the animated discussion between two staff members and Blade, the home Temple’s head of household. All three women froze in mid-conversation.

I didn’t know the two other women. From their demeanor, they appeared to be younger than Empress Shi Hua. However, Blade had been the head of household since I was first brought to Standora. She had to be over sixty winters now, but she still stood as straight as the great redwoods.

Blade recovered first and bowed. “Welcome home, Chief Justice.” The two young women followed her gesture though raw fear shone in their tight expressions.

I’d gotten used to being an object of curiosity during our voyage, not someone to be feared. Of course, that didn’t account for the one cousin of Emperor Po’s who was on the verge of calling me out for a duel.

I bowed in return. “It’s good to hear your voice again, Blade. I’m only sorry it is during such sorrowful circumstances.”

“Queen Teodora’s death was not entirely unexpected, Chief Justice,” she replied.

“I was referring to the malaise currently accosting Standora,” I said. “When a cutpurse is so afflicted as to rob a person in broad daylight in front of the prince consort and two senior members of the Temples, matters have definitely gone awry.”

Her eyes widened. “The young man brough to our gaol this morning?”

I nodded.

She sighed. “You are invited to dine with the Reverend Mother and her staff this evening. I’m sure she will want to hear your insights as a fresh observer and a witness.” She eyed Jonata and Long Feather. “I’ll see to it that your wardens are settled in the barracks—”

“I want beds brought into the suite for them, or at least two comfortable pallets,” I stated. “They will be staying with me in the suite.”

Blade sighed again. “Are you trying to insult the Reverend Mother on purpose, Little Death Wish?”

“This has nothing to do with the Reverend Mother,” I said. “It has everything to do with me being at the top of the Assassins Guild’s list of targets. If my request cannot be accommodated, I would be happy to find lodging elsewhere.”

Blade’s mouth pressed into a firm line. She was caught between the mountain and the sea, and she knew it.

“Very well, I’ll have pallets brought up for your wardens. Dinner is at exactly First Evening, Chief Justice.” Her expression looked as if she’d eaten an unsweetened lemon.

“Where?” I asked.

She blinked. I had a suspicion she wasn’t expecting me to inquire as to the location and intended to not tell me. “The Reverend Mother’s private dining room.”

“Thank you for delivering the invitation and for accommodating my requests.”

She inclined her head before she and the two quivering staff members departed.

Long Feather opened the windows to air out the suite. Maybe none of us were used to being indoors anymore after all our time at sea over the last few months.

“This is going to be an enjoyable meal,” Jonata muttered dryly to me.

I didn’t want to attend this dinner either, but like Blade, I was also caught between the mountain and the sea. And I was absolutely sure my wardens and I were in far more danger here than we were with any other opponents over the last six months.

A Barrel of Vintner - Chapter 6

Despite dealing with winter weather and paperwork related to taxes, I'm still chipping away at the next Justice novel. Things will be a mite slow writing-wise this week since tax form preparation and filing are a necessity now that we've received all of our 1099s, W-2s, etc. Or rather, I hate being in a rush the night before returns are due to the IRS because GK will invariably call me, wanting help because he does wait until the last minute.

In the meantime, here's the next chapter dedicated to all the readers who are trapped by snow, ice, and frigid temps!

----------

Unfortunately, when the meal was finished, I and my All the Temple leaders except Reverend Father Grey Shadow took their leave with our rough plan to investigate the powdered soma tears. More was to be discussed, and none of it would be pleasant.

Prince White Eagle had the royal guards stationed outside of the room send for the midday meal. The queen invited mine and Luc’s wardens to dine with her.

I couldn’t object. Rather, I didn’t want to object. Jonata, Long Feather, and Yar deserved the respect and honor the queen extended to them.

wardens would have to go to the home Temple of Balance. The last place in the World I wanted to be. They had survived the trip to Jing and back. I hoped Balance Herself would grant them a small mercy and spare their lives until we returned to Orrin. I was under no illusion the danger in Standora was less than it had been during our voyage to Chengzhou.

The prince and the Reverend Father asked benign questions about our experiences in Ryukyu, Jing, and O’ahu, such as the cultural differences in their Spring Rituals. The cuisine we had tried during our voyages. The trading Captain Titus had done on behalf of Duke Marco and prices.

Once the meal arrived and the door closed, Grey Shadow warded the room again. Long Feather automatically seized my plate and sampled everything before he returned it to me. Yar did the same for Luc.

To my surprise, neither the queen nor the Reverend Father said anything. The prince consort smirked, but that was all.

“I’ve spoken with Emperor Po since you left Chengzhou. You two made quite an impression on his people.” The queen sliced off a bite of kelp bass on her plate. “Why hasn’t Alara asked you to teach your lightning ability here in Issura?”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.” I inclined my head. “I knew I forgot to tell her something before we left for Jing.”

“No need to dissemble, Anthea.” Grey Shadow smiled at me. “Talbert told me of your efforts to teach the Orrin clergy. Nor do I blame the seats in Orrin for their silence on the matter. However, White Eagle and I have the same suspicions as you do about who the traitor in the capital is.”

“What about you, Your Majesty?” Luc asked the queen.

She finished chewing and swallowed. “I don’t believe a damn thing Alara tells me, any more than my mother believed her. Neither does Crown Princess Allegra. I don’t know what’s worse, a Reverend Mother of Balance who is wholly incompetent or one who is demon dealing.”

“A good Temple staff can compensate for an incompetent seat.” I poke at my own fillet. “Mine certainly did for years as Chief Justice Penelope sank into senility.”

“Anthea, is the food not to your liking?” she asked. “I can have the kitchen prepare something else.”

“It’s quite delicious, Your Majesty,” I replied.

“Or you could admit you’re tired of fish after spending most of the last six months on a ship,” White Eagle teased.

“In truth, the issues with my own Reverend Mother are killing my appetite.” I laid my fork on my plate and pushed it away. “Nor do I like the senet game I have to play because I don’t know who to trust.”

“If you feel you need to truthspell me, I willing submit to you,” Grey Shadow said.

“And I will, too,” White Eagle murmured.

“I don’t feel comfortable—” I started.

“But I want you to feel comfortable, Anthea,” the queen interjected. “You’re one of the few subjects I do trust right now. I’m in the same position as Po. When my own cousins plot to feed my subjects to the demons, I need all the help I can get. And if it means having you truthspell me, then that’s what I’ll do. Because I do need you.”

Her impassioned plea took me by surprise. I looked at each of my superiors in turn. “I can’t simply oust Reverend Mother Alara any more than you can, Your Majesty.”

“And if I don’t have all twelve Temples working together, Issura is lost.” Her gaze was intense. “Just like Jing would have been thanks to Empress Yu’s former consort, the School of Sorcery, and Po’s own idiotic cousins.

“In other words, you believe Reverend Mother Alara is behind Reverend Father Farrell’s increasingly odd behavior and his current addiction,” Luc said.

The queen nodded. “There had to be something within him to work with, so I can’t blame everything on her. But in short, yes, I believe she is encouraging his excesses so he’s distracted from whatever she is doing.”

“The demons excel in giving humans exactly what they think they want,” I said softly. “But humans often don’t know the cost of their desires or ignore the ramifications.”

“Even so,” the queen replied. “However, neither Farrell or Alara carry any trace of having used demon magic.”

“That doesn’t mean they aren’t demon dealing.” A shiver ran through me. “Samael DiRoy used a human grimoire to summon demons, but he didn’t use demon magic. He commanded them to do his bidding. It’s entirely possibly both Reverend Mother Alara and Reverend Father Farrell could be doing the same.”

“What are you most worried about, Anthea,” Grey Shadow asked.

‘Other than getting my throat slit in my sleep at my home Temple?”

He nodded.

“That we’ve already lost this war,” I murmured. “We just don’t know it yet.”

##

The queen and the prince consort had very few other questions about our journey to Jing and back. Mainly, they wanted clarification of things Po had glossed over. They asked if I’d tried teaching my lightning ability to anyone else with talent in Orrin, besides vetted clergy. I pointed out I had to be careful who I approached. Grey Shadow offered to discreetly send clergy and registered talents he screened down to Orrin for training, which I agreed to.

He reminded me of High Brother Talbert. Not in looks or demeanor, but in their quiet, steady confidence of doing what was necessary to protect Issura and its citizens. Grey Shadow also insisted on us joining him for the midday meal tomorrow along with his team investigating the concentrated soma tears.

The queen and her husband insisted our little party take one of the royal carriages back to the harbor to collect our things and give Captain Titus leave to return to Orrin. As I expected before we arrived, Titus was reluctant to abandon us in Standora, even though the queen had placed her flagship, the Mars Regina, at our disposal once the investigation was completed.

Therefore, Titus, his second mate, and I had a spirited conversation in the cabin that had been our home for most of the last six months while Luc and the wardens collected our things. From the smell of the cabin after being in the palace, we also needed baths and a laundress.

“Chief Justice, the duke gave me very explicit instructions to return you, High Brother Luc, and your wardens home, come storm, pirates, or demons,” the captain forced out from between his clenched jaws.

“Not to mention, how are the Mars Regina’s crew going to react if skinwalkers or demons attack their ship?” Second Mate Little Squirrel protested. “We have more experience.”

“Queen Chiara outranks Duke Marco, and I’m sure the Regina’s captain and crew would act with the same courage you all have,” I smiled at them both. “May I ask a few favors from you?”

“I can’t talk you two out of whatever the queen talked you into, can I?” Titus crossed his arms.

“The queen has commanded us to assist in a project,” I replied. “That is all either I or High Brother Luc can say, Captain.”

Titus grunted. “I just pray to the Twelve Duke Marco has me truthspelled before he beheads me himself.”

Luc chuckled. “I’d be more worried about what Lady Katarina will do if I were you.”

“What are these favors?” Titus finally asked.

“Would you deliver messages to Justice Yanaba, Chief Warden Little Bear, Duke Marco, High Brother Talbert, and Magistrate DiCook?” I turned to Luc. “Did you want to send a message to acting High Brother Jeremy?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “Captain, you do realize we are entrusting you to deliver these messages personally?”

Titus smiled. “I would have done so without you having to ask me. We can get underway with the late afternoon tide.”

“Thank you.” I embraced Titus. “For everything.”

“Both of you and your wardens didn’t become part of our crew,” he murmured in my ear. “You became part of our family.”

We released our holds. Little Squirrel grabbed me in a tight hug while Titus and Luc grasped each other’s forearms. The captain and second officer repeated the same gestures with our wardens.

“Give me half a candlemark, Captain,” I said. “And I ask that the crew is gathered on the deck so we may say our goodbyes to them as well.”

Titus nodded, and he and Little Squirrel departed, closing the cabin door behind them.

I dug my stamp set and remaining parchment from one of my bags. Luc sat beside me at the cabin’s table. I stamped out my messages while Luc sealed each message with wax and my personal sigil. He borrowed my stylus and ink and wrote the name of each recipient so Titus would know who got each note. In between dealing with my correspondence, Luc wrote his own letter to Jeremy. I would have to wait and extend my felicitations to the rest of my friends and acquaintances when we returned to Orrin ourselves.

In the meantime, our wardens double-checked to make sure we had all our belongings. I replaced my stamp set in my bag and withdrew the gold pieces Po gave me plus those Luc and I had set aside for the original plan of docking in Orrin.

The Twelve had watched over the crew of the Mars Tranquilus during our entire voyage. Both the emperor and I wanted to give them small tokens of appreciation. However, gold could never replace their bravery and fortitude in our mad dashes across the Peaceful Sea.

When we exited our cabin, Titus and his crew shocked me by standing at attention.

I cleared my throat. “Emperor Po and Empress Shi Hua as well as High Brother Luc and I extend our gratitude to all of you for risking your lives and your spirits on this mission. Whether you realized it or not, you performed a great service to the Queendom of Issura and the Jing Empire, and you helped bring us a step closer to defeating the demons once and for all. These are a very small token. Our true appreciation for your courage cannot be measured.”

Most of the crew turned orange in embarrassment at my words, but a few remained golden with pride in their accomplishment. I presented each member of the crew with two gold pieces and bowed to them. When I finished, a cheer filled the air.

I couldn’t blame them. We were all alive and home when the odds had been sorely against us.

However, I couldn’t escape my next challenge, and I wished with all my heart to stay aboard this ship and sail home with it.

Don't Get Political They Said

Ohio Resistance by Bob Seay

Don't get political they said. I would lose readers.

But when ICE agents are executing American citizens in the streets, I can no longer be silent.

The Second American Civil War has started. I stand with the people who believe kindness and empathy are virtues.

I do not stand with anyone who believes the Constitution only applies to certain, privileged people. I do not stand with assholes who think it's okay for children to be kidnapped. Assholes who think it's okay for elderly people to be dragged from their homes naked in subzero weather. Assholes who think shooting unarmed people in the face or back at point blank range is acceptable.

If you have a problem with my views, then leave my website. Do not buy my books. My stories won't please you one iota.

You see, I've heard too many stories from and about my uncles who fought for the Allies during World War II. Funny how the stories are so similar. Children taken from their families. Old men forced to endure the cold in little or no clothing during the winter. Innocent people shot in the streets for whatever reason the fascist wanted. Or for no reason at all.

If it quacks like a fascist, fosters fear like a fascist, kills like a fascist, then it's a fucking fascist.

And I stand against them.

 

P.S. Author Bob Seay created resistance logos for each state based on Minnesota's resistance logo using their state bird, the loon. He gave permission for personal use of the logos. Please give him credit if you use one.  

Status Update - January 2025

The new year has has launched another series of life rolls. But not all of them are bad!

A Barrel of Vintner is going to be longer than I anticipated as I wrap up a bunch of story threads from the entire Justice series in these last three books.

On the other side, the Justice cover artist had her first grandchild last week! Yes, the e-book/front cover has been completed for some time, but she can't create the full paperback cover until my formatter completes the interior. And my formatter can't do the interior until I finish writing the story.

Which leads to my next delay. My cover artist will be flying to see her new grandbaby and staying to help the new parents for a little while. As soon as I know how things will shake out, I'll inform you of the revised release date.

I hope everyone survived Winter Storm Fern!

A Barrel of Vintner - Chapter 5

Here's another little taste of the next Justice novel, A Barrel of Vintner!

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Gorge rose in the back of my throat. “Queen Teodora was assassinated?”

“Yes,” Queen Chiara bit out. “But this news is not to leave this room, Chief Justice.”

I understood her reasoning. Panic and chaos could ensue if Teodora’s murder became common knowledge, just like Emperor Chengwu’s assassination had caused in Jing. Including accusing the heir to the throne of incompetence or outright malfeasance in the late queen’s care. I didn’t blame Chiara for wanting time to find the true culprit in her mother’s demise.

“Whoever cooked the concentrated soma tears had additional goals besides the death of Teodora,” White Eagle said.

My attention shot to the prince. “That cutpurse outside of the Bay Market?”

He nodded. “Older youths and adults quickly become addicted. They’re buying or bartering for the drug from someone.”

“But a truthspell—” Luc stared at the royal couple.

“There’s a subtle spell on the powder, similar to a healing spell to keep the heart beating,” Reverend Mother Brigid said. “When a truthspell is laid on a person who has been taking this drug, it speeds up the heart rate to the point the heart literally rips itself apart.”

“We think someone took the recipe from the locked collection of our Temple,” Reverend Father Ninumu murmured.

“We have a recipe for a lethal soma powder?” I exclaimed.

A wry smile crossed his face. “Any medicinal herb can have detrimental effects if too much is taken or for the wrong reasons. Concentrated soma tears were used in previous centuries to sedate patients with grievous injuries so the healers can treat them.” He sighed. “Or to ease the passing of those who could not be healed.”

“Let’s put it this way, my dear.” Reverend Mother Sxa’min chuckled softly. “I have the wasting disease, I’m in a great deal of pain, and I wouldn’t touch that shit.”

“I’m sorry—” I started.

She held up a palm. “Stop right there, Anthea. I don’t need or want your sympathy. I get enough crap from my own people.” She eyed High Sister Imala before she turned back to me. “And Love has already held its vote. Imala will officially take over my duties full-time after the Summer Solstice.” Another chuckle shook the Reverend Mother’s thin frame. “Unless Death comes to visit me prior to then.”

“No platitudes, Reverend Mother.” I inclined my head. “You honor Issura with your service.”

“That sounds like a platitude to me, young lady,” she teased.

“Would you prefer I throw you on a funeral pyre after this meeting?” I asked politely.

Reverend Mother Sxa’min cackled until she coughed into a handkerchief. I didn’t miss the dark pink stains of her sputum on the cotton. I doubted anyone else missed the blood either.

When she recovered from her fit, she smiled at me. “Too bad you aren’t the Reverend Mother of Balance. Convocations would have been much more entertaining.”

“Can we get back to our real problem, ladies?” White Eagle didn’t sound annoyed. In fact, he almost sounded relieved at our teasing.

“I beg forgiveness, Your Highness.” I inclined my head. “Please continue.”

“So far, the problem has been limited to two duchies,” the prince said. “However, the shipment Vintner and Thief intercepted was headed for Orrin.” I tensed, and Luc shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

“We haven’t spoken to anyone in Orrin since we arrived in Chengzhou.” I shook my head. “I didn’t realize I depended too much on Empress Shi Hua for distance speaking. Is Orrin in trouble?”

“Don’t worry. Talbert and Ben have been working closely with the Healers Guild since the poison oil incident the winter before last,” Grey Shadow said. “But this powder did appear in Gilwas a little over three months ago. Unfortunately, they shipped it out to towns and villages in the duchy before anyone realized something was wrong. And then, Bohem Puyuik experienced an outbreak of catarrh shortly after they received their shipment.”

Grief flowed from everyone in the room. Pain powder was also used to reduce fever as well as muscle aches and other pains. The disease would have produced both.

“Did anyone in the city survive?” Luc murmured.

“Some hunters and loggers up in the surrounding mountains weren’t exposed when the carrier of the disease arrived in the city,” the queen said. “When they went to Bohem Puyuik for the Spring Rituals, they sent a messenger to Gilwas, and they did what they could for the living they found until more healers could reach them. Only about a quarter of the Bohem Puyuik population remains, and half of those are severely addicted to the concentrated tears.”

“I don’t understand what you need from us, Your Majesty,” I said. “An investigation into the assassination of a national leader should be led by the chief justice in charge of criminal prosecutions at the very least if not the Reverend Mother herself. Has something happened to Chief Justice Oriana? Or Reverend Mother Alara?”

Grey Shadow leaned his elbows on the table and clasped his hands. His attention on Luc and me was intense.

“Neither of you are fools, Anthea,” he said. “You both know of the problems within your own home Temples.”

“Unfortunately,” Luc said dryly.

As far as we know, neither Oriana or Alara are addicted the powdered soma,” Grey Shadow said. “However, Farrell is.”

“Does he refuse treatment from the Healers Guild and Child?” Luc asked softly. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have been sympathetic to his own Reverend Father. But after the loss of his unborn son, Luc sank into a deep melancholy and drank spirits in excess. Nor would he listen to me when I pointed out the toll it was taking on him. It took his own Temple personnel in Orrin rebelling to get him to seek help for his emotional pain. He handed the vial back to Brigid.

“He refuses to admit he is addicted to the substance,” Imala said. “He issues contradictory orders, berates everyone at Light regardless of rank, and last week, he had a warden lashed to the edge of death for making the mistake of stopping him from raping a civilian.”

“Why wasn’t Farrell brought up on charges for either assault?” I growled.

“Alara dismissed the complaint,” Grey Shadow said. “Just like she dismissed the concentrated tears as a mistake of Vintner, claiming Brigid is trying to cover for her own people who erred in preparing the pain powder.”

I stared back at him for a long time before I said, “Are you asking us to remove our own Temple leaders from office?”

“When was the last time you spoke with Melanippe?” he said.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and released it before I looked at Grey Shadow again. “You found her body?”

“No,” he said. “Wildling believes she never left the Balance home Temple.”

“Then what is it you expect us to do, Your Majesty?” Luc asked.

Queen Chiara was silent for a long moment. “I want you to meet with High Brother Liam and feel him out. He’ll be the key for a vote of no confidence within Light.”

She considered her next words carefully. “I don’t want to interfere in the operations of any of the Temples.” She glanced at me. “Especially after the stunt Ogusuku pulled with you, Anthea. But I need to know if you plan to take any of the offers for a transfer Reverend Mother Hózhó, Reverend Mother Fumiko, and Reverend Mother Xiang offered you.”

An uneasy feeling crawled up my spine. How had the queen found out about the offers?

“I hadn’t planned on it, Your Majesty. Nor am I taking the offer presented by Reverend Mother Hoku of the Sea Peoples. If you are concerned about me leaving Issura, I assure you I have no plans to do so. Unless you have need of me to take one of the offers?”

Chiara and White Eagle exchanged smiles.

“As I said to you, my queen. Dutiful to a fault,” he murmured.

She exhaled deeply. “There’s a traitor within Balance.”

“Yes,” I admitted. “But I haven’t discovered their identity.”

“Yet,” Luc added.

“But you have your suspicions,” Grey Shadow said.

“That’s all I have at the moment, Reverend Father,” I replied. “Suspicions aren’t enough for a conviction. Nor can I start truthspelling my sisters without causing more problems than Issura already has.”

“But you have a talent for ferreting out the truth by other means,” the queen said. “I know I cannot command you in this matter without directly contradicting Alara’s orders, but I would appreciate you and Luc staying in the capital while you assist the other Temples in the investigation of the cooking and distribution of the concentrated soma tears.”

“And discover who made sure they placed the concentrated soma tears in the container Queen Teodora used for her nightly pain powder,” I stated. “Even so.” Queen Chiara nodded.

“I assume the entire palace was searched and any alleged pain powder was confiscated and tested, and Queen Teodora’s supply was the only tainted medication in the palace,” Luc said.

“Yes,” Brigid replied.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, we need to let our colleagues in Orrin know we’ve been delayed in the capital, even if we can’t tell them why,” I said.

“Have any messages you need to send go through me,” Grey Shadow said. “Talbert will make sure they are delivered to your people.”

Luc and I exchanged looks. When a leader of the Temple avoided using the regular courier system in the queendom, things were bad indeed.