“That’s his earthly name. And a silly one. Truth is in the eye of the beholder – quite literally. What is your truth is different than mine? It is what creates our perception. Perception is reality and no one has the same reality. What makes him more true than me or you? Not a thing. He keeps his silly group of followers and I have mine.”
“Does that mean you can see the future?”
“Yes, yes it does and no I won’t share what it says about you. Keep your faith and when the time comes to trust, you must give it, or all will be lost.”
“You are as clear as the Sisters.”
She laughed.
“Nothing is given away for free, don’t you agree? And, they are my children, so they take on aspects of me. Information is only so good. Humans and other supernaturals shouldn’t have a map of their lives. That takes away free choice and minimizes the option of diversions or changes to their life path. And what fun would that be?”
She clapped her hands and I was back in my room, with Muffin.
30
He’d nearly chewed completely through the door. Through the holes in it, I saw anxious faces in the hall. Crap, he just got us in trouble.
“Marty, you must control that beast of yours,” said Isa.
“I’m so sorry. I was indisposed.”
I wrapped my arms around Muffin. He still growled and his hair stood on end. At first he didn’t register my presence. He was that frantic with worry and anger.
I whispered soothing words to him and stroked his back until the growling went away and his fur laid down flat. He eased into me, relaxing into my embrace. I heard sighs of relief from the crowd in the hall.
“Can we trust you to control him?” asked Isa.
“Yes, I can. I was not here to help him. I was ill and he must have thought I needed help.”
From the look on her face, she didn’t believe me.
“Well, breakfast is nearly over. Come, we’ll send someone to fix the door. An earth mage will fix that up in no time. You certainly gave us a fright. That dog of yours is really scary. Are you sure he’s okay now?”
“I am and I just realized how hungry I am. Let’s get some food.”
Once we sat down to breakfast I took the risk to ask about Emma Lynn. I needed to get this case closed and get to my family. They could protect me. Between Lochlan and Sterling, we had some heavy magic users. I’d need to convince Sterling to take off my disrupters. Without my magic, I couldn’t protect myself. Knives and swords wouldn’t do anything against a god.
“Isa, can I ask you something?”
“I’ve always said you can ask me anything. What is it you wish to know?”
“I became interested in this group because of Emma Lynn.”
“Oh, she’s wonderful. And why you came here doesn’t matter. You’re here now and that’s what is important.”
“Do you know her? Do you think I can meet her? I’d love to talk with her again. I didn’t really have the opportunity last time because it was an art lesson.”
“I’m not really sure. She’s been gone a lot lately.”
“Can you try?”
“I can. I’ll let you know if I can arrange it.”
A man came to our table. He caught Isa’s attention.
“His highness has need of Marty.”
“Jeremy, I’ll bring her straight away once we finish our meal.”
“No, not you. He insisted that Marty came alone,” said Jeremy.
“Oh, that is odd, but I defer to the wisdom of His Highness. May The True One guide you.”
“And may The True One guide you,” I absent-mindedly answered, still preoccupied with the unexpected summons.
And just like that my appetite was gone. My plate was still half full, but I pushed it away. There was no point in delaying this meeting.
“I’m ready now.”
The True One probably contacted Jarl. Guess I’d be testing the power of this ring sooner than later. I hope Porrima wasn’t messing with me and this ring did what it was supposed to do.
I followed Jeremy to Jarl’s office.
“I leave you here. Please knock three times and wait to be told to enter,” said Jeremy.
I took a deep breath and knocked three times.
“Enter,” said Jarl.
I stepped into the office, reassured that I had Muffin with me this time. His presence gave me comfort and strength. While I didn’t like Julia Huntington and thought she was more trouble than she’s worth, she did me a great thing by giving me Muffin. It was hard to picture my life without the devil dog in it. How long did devil dogs live anyways? I hope it’s a long time.
“Close the door at once and please lock it.”
I stood in front of his desk doing my best not to show my annoyance.
“What is it you wish to see me for?”
“It isn’t I who made the request.”
“Indeed, I requested your presence,” said The True One.
I couldn’t help it, I flinched. He was scary. And I still felt funny from his heat spell or whatever it was that he had done to me.
“It seems that you are to be an important member of our group, said Jarl. “Let me introduce you to someone. This is Wayne Brownstone. He runs the Rare Herbs and Medicinals Company.”
He didn’t know that his god stood next to him. Didn’t he feel the otherworldliness of the god and the power radiating off him. Even muted, his power was intense.
“Hello, Mr. Brownstone.”
I wouldn’t lie and say I was pleased to meet him. I’d prefer never seeing his arrogant and smug face ever again. Maybe thinking of him as Wayne Brownstone would make dealing with him easier.
“I’d like you to help us with a project we have,” said Wayne Brownstone. “I’ll leave you to make the arrangements.”
Wayne Brownstone captured me in his power, fixing me in place. How did Jarl not feel this power? “I hope that I have your full cooperation in this project,” he said.
“Yes,” I said
