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.
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