![]() ![]() That's what I said." Jake had such a goofy puppy-dog face, there was no chance he'd fall for someone else. Asherah no longer had a use for Char and had let her go, but the blood-red hair was a reminder: Someone else in the world knows what it's like.Ĭhar's dress was an elegant pale pink satin sheath with long sleeves and no back. Durga was always comforted when she saw Char's hair. And Char, you definitely fall into the stunning category."Ĭhar's hair was in a French braid with tiny pale pink silk orchids scattered throughout, a dramatic contrast against its deep red. "No, little warrior." Char held Durga's hands out and admired the dress. "I'm afraid everyone still sees me as the girl chosen by the goddess." "Every man in this room is wishing he were eligible for a chalice." "It's so good to see you again."Ĭhar's eyes practically popped out of her head at the Empani greeting. Durga accepted Char's outstretched hands and kissed her on both cheeks. People tried not to stare at her hair and tattoo much more than they tried not to stare at her dress. There was no one like that in the awestruck crowd. She would let them thank her for their charters later.Īs she crossed the room to Char and Jake, she scanned for the green robes of a priest of Asherah. She recognized the delegates by their city symbols, a harp for Hibernia and a Tsuga cone for Ithaca. The guards had been a good idea after all. ![]() Two delegates began to come forward eagerly, but Captain Gordon stopped them with a look.ĭurga suppressed a smile. The guests gathered in the antechamber outside the dining hall went stone silent. A fixed Great Chain of Being where everyone knew their place. She swept into the room in her most imperious manner. Useless in the sacred effort to replenish the earth with-souls! Jake had to acquire a soul or he would lose everything he'd worked for. On the Great Chain of Being, a soulless human would be the lowest of the low. Garrick didn't care about Jake's soul, but Durga did. Her challenge now was to find a priest of Asherah who knew about the liminal gauntlet and to come up with a way to forestall Garrick's protest.Īlso, how do you tell someone they have no soul? Showing the world she was no longer a child was the furthest thing from her mind. She squared her shoulders to prepare for her entrance. In the corridor Captain Gordon and his partner fell in behind her skirt's long train. ![]() "No one can save me from bother, Captain Gordon, but if harm threatens I will be glad if you intervene." If the settlement priest were here tonight, Durga certainly didn't want Jake's guards listening to that conversation. He seemed to struggle between his duty to protect her and his wish to ensure her comfort. They will see you as Lord Ardri's agent, listening to words meant only for the Emissary."Īt her touch, his red face turned purple. "You would intimidate the ambassadors and princes I must speak with. She softened her tone and touched his forearm. "Lord Ardri has ordered me to protect you from those who would bother you in any way." "Captain Gordon, you will keep a distance when we're inside the hall." She couldn't worry about their discomfort. The unsophisticated settlement dwellers would probably rather battle raptors than carry silk taffeta for the Emissary of Sanguibahd. The poor men were red-faced with embarrassment. Getting into the lift, she and the guards had to gather the skirt in their arms so they could all fit. She hadn't designed her dress with accessory guards in mind. The two men were under Jake's orders to protect her, and the long trailing skirt made them have to stand too far away. Her security detail was unhappy with the amount of space it took up. The first reaction to Durga's dress was decidedly negative. The Empani shifted back to the shape of the musician and smiled. "What the shib is the liminal gauntlet? Where is the priest?" "Lord Ardri must run the liminal gauntlet." But it had never brought a message from Asherah before. "What priest? Where do I find her?" The Empani's skin looked tired. ![]()
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