Page 52 of The Oracle of Dusk

But it was a melancholy thing to think he might never return to his great city. Altanus was the jewel of Trisia. Here, even the lowliest peasant had a roof over their head and food in their bellies. Its streets were lined with fragrant flowers and towering trees giving shade to all. Clean water glistened from beautifully sculpted fountains, surrounded by buildings decorated in the most saturated hues. Merchants dressed as richly as nobles from other realms, courtesy of mines overflowing with precious metals and gemstones. His nobles were fat off the abundance of their territories, and his treasuries were overflowing. Only the blight had dulled some of his city’s shine, strained his coffers, and cast a pall over the countryside. Hopefully, soon, that sad chapter would come to an end. He only wished he would live long enough to see it.

Theron walked through the streets on his way to Batea’s palace, a bevvy of guards and aides at his side, his people stepping aside for his entourage and bowing in his presence. As he gave Polydorus his instructions for advising Batea in his absence and sent his aides off with orders for the upcoming confrontation at the Colonnades, they rushed off to the various palace offices, barracks and temples. He arrived at Batea’s palace and took the steps up to her home two at a time, his coming welcomed by every member of her staff. When he found her at last, she was in her courtyard, sharpening her swords.

Clearly, she was in a good mood and content to receive visitors. When she wasn’t, she allowed her beasts to prowl the courtyard—most vicious amongst them were her chickens. Had Theron not the wild magic of healing, he would have the scars to prove just how spiteful the fowl could be. Luckily, he didn’t need those particular creatures today.

“I need your beasts.”

“I thought you hated my beasts,” she replied, never taking her eyes off her blade.

“A cycle of chaos is beginning.”

“Oh? Hopefully, the first monstrosities appear in Boreas. Preferably in Orithyia’s bed. While she’s in it.”

“The omens say they’re going to appear at The Colonnades Of The Colossus.”

She looked up from her task then.

“The grain.”

“The trade route,” he added.

“Shit.”

“Exactly.”

“I’ll go. I have just the beasts for the job. I can be there in a matter of hours. How fast can those temple rats be readied?” She stood, sheathing her blades and grabbing the bronze cuirass she’d finished polishing nearby.

“You’re not going.”

She had just secured the first strap of her cuirass when she paused.

“Then who?” she asked, furious.

“I’m going. You’re staying here.”

Her nostrils flared with anger.

“Then you can’t have my beasts.” She glared, defiant.

“What if I gave you war as your reward?”

She raised her brow, interest piqued.

“You have my attention.”

“Dia’s omens tell her I will be gone for some time. In my absence, you’ll be in charge of Aureum. And if anything happens to me…”

She shot him a dark look.

“I want to fight a war at your side, not because you’re dead.”

“And I don’t relish dying. So rule well in my stead, and make a vow to Justice if I fall.”

“It is a pity that the dualists lost their battle against the temples. Because I would rather swear to Vengeance in that case, given the chance.”

“Don’t let the priestesses hear you say that.” He frowned.

Though the dualists worshipped both aspects of the goddesses, Knowledge and Lies, Passion and Death, Justice and Vengeance, that very same worship gave the sinister planets the power they now wielded. Though he would prefer to live and let live when it came to the piety of his people, a cycle of chaos should never be courted. It was why he didn’t interfere if the temples sent out their paladins to hunt down dualists in his realm—unless they belonged to Orithyia.

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