Priestess of the White

Danjin huffed with indignation. “Me? Run away?”

He expected a quip about his fitness, but instead her expression became serious.

“Yes,” she said. She walked up to him and gazed into his eyes. “Run away. I’m too young to become a widow.”

“I’m not going to... wait a moment. Too what?”

She pinched his arm, somehow managing to hurt him despite the thick cloth.

“Ow!”

“You deserved that. I’m trying to tell you how much I’m going to worry about you.”

Several cheeky replies sprang to mind but he pushed them away. He gently wrapped his arms around her shoulders. The material of the vest resisted the movement and he felt a stab of resentment that even embracing his wife was difficult in this ridiculous garb.

Silava sniffed. He drew away, surprised. She wiped her tears and turned from him, embarrassed.

“You will... you will be careful?” she asked quietly.

“Of course.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise I will be careful.”

She nodded and drew back. “I’ll hold you to that.” The sound of footsteps approaching drew their attention to the doorway. Their servant appeared, breathing heavily.

“Fa-Spear has arrived.”

Danjin nodded. “I’ll be down to join him in a moment.”

He turned to his wife and kissed her. “Goodbye for now, Silava.”

Her eyes glistened, but her voice was normal as she replied, “Goodbye for now.”

He hesitated, reluctant to leave her when she was upset, but she waved a hand impatiently.

“Go on. Don’t keep your father waiting.”

“No, that would never do.”

She managed a smile. He winked at her, then left the room. As he started down the stairs to the ground floor he drew in a deep breath and steeled himself for his father’s scorn.

It was cold outside, despite the bright morning sunlight. Fa-Spear was waiting in a covered platten. Danjin stepped out of his house and into the vehicle.

“Father,” he said in greeting.

“Danjin,” his father replied. “What a beautiful day to set out for war, eh? I wonder if the gods arranged it.”

“Whether they arrange it or not, every rain-free day will be appreciated,” Danjin replied.

His father leaned back in his seat and called to the driver to move on. As the platten sprang into motion, he regarded Danjin in his typical calculating manner.

“You must be feeling proud today.”

“Proud?”

“You are risking your life for your country. That is something to be proud of.”

Danjin shrugged. “I will not be in any great danger, Father. Certainly nothing equal to what my brothers have faced recently. It takes a braver man than I to venture into the south at this time.”

His father’s eyes gleamed. “Indeed, their job is one that involves taking many risks.”

Danjin chuckled. “Yes. Though it didn’t surprise me when Rian observed that Theran has a habit of taking unnecessary risks.”

“Rian said that?”

“Yes. He also said Theran is not good at following orders either, but I guess that doesn’t come easily to a man who is used to having a free rein.”

Fa-Spear stared at Danjin, his eyes slowly narrowing.

“What do you know of Theran’s travels?”

Danjin shrugged. “Everything he bothered to report. Nirem and Gohren were much more reliable. And careful.”

“You... you knew all along.”

Danjin met and held his father’s eyes. “Of course I did.”

Fa-Spear stared at Danjin, his expression neither approving or disapproving.

“Was it your idea?”

“No,” Danjin answered truthfully. “Even if it had occurred to me, I would not have suggested it. I could not have deliberately sent family members into danger. Rian raised the matter with me beforehand and kept me informed of their activities.”

“I see. Why didn’t you tell us you knew?”

Danjin smiled. “It wasn’t necessary. These sorts of matters are best left undiscussed. For everyone’s sake.”

“So why are you telling me now?”

“Because Rian and his people are too busy preparing for war to tell you the latest news, so I offered to pass it on myself.” Danjin paused. “Theran was taken captive as we suspected, but our people managed to rescue him. He, Nirem and Gohren are on their way home.”

His father nodded, the relief clearly written in his face. The same relief Danjin had felt at the news. While he might not get along well with his brothers, he did not want to see any of them enslaved or killed.

Then he took a deep breath and forced himself to go on. “There is something else you should know, Father. When Theran was captured he was tortured. He revealed many names, including Nirem’s and Gohren’s. Because of this, neither Theran, Nirem or Gohren will be safe if they sail in southern waters. The White have released them from their duties. I recommend you do not send them—”

“No!” Fa-Spear’s eyes blazed. “Theran would never—!”

“He did,” Danjin said firmly. “No man can guess how well he, or another, will stand up to torture. The White know this and do not judge him. They are grateful for all he endured in order to bring us information about the Pentadrians.”

His father looked away, his brow a mass of wrinkles. How forgiving will you be, Father? Danjin thought. You never did have any tolerance for weakness, especially not in your sons.

Fa-Spear was silent for the rest of the journey. The Temple grounds, once neatly scythed grass, were now a mess of mud, tents, carts, soldiers and animals. A long line of platten had formed along the road to the Tower. As the occupants of each disembarked, the vehicles were driven away to a waiting area behind the main Temple buildings.

When their platten finally stopped before the Tower, Danjin waited for his father, as the head of their family, to step out, but the old man did not move. He looked at Danjin, his expression serious.

“Take care of yourself, Danjin,” he said quietly. “You may not be my favorite son, but you are my son, and I do not want to lose you.”

Danjin stared at his father in surprise as the old man rose and climbed down from the platten. He shook his head, then followed.

So this is what it takes. Well, I don’t intend to go to war every time I want him to show he values me in some small way.

“I must take my place,” Danjin said as the platten moved away. “Take care of yourself, Father. And my brothers.”

“I’ll probably have to spend the next year recouping losses from the trade deals we’ve lost in Sennon,” Fa- Spear grumbled quietly. “Go on, then. Go take your place in this unprofitable but necessary war.”

Danjin smiled. Back to his old gruff self. He nodded politely, then turned away to look for his fellow advisers.

The White’s advisers would travel in a tarn together, once the parade left the city. Danjin hadn’t been told where to meet them, but he had a good idea how to find them. After searching for several minutes he saw a small group of men and a few women wearing the same uniform as his own. They looked about as comfortable as he felt, he noted.