Page 5 of A Conduit of Light
“WelcometoFelgren,Ash’Arah.”
Shejumped and turned quickly, knocking over the vase in doing so—the man’s hands already catching the ornament before it fell to the floor.Hegrinned, never looking away as he steadied the vase back on the table.Hissmile irritated her immediately.Wideand genuine, she fought any inkling to return it, instead crossing her arms as she looked him over.
Wavyblack hair that hung to his broad shoulders, deep-set eyes under straight black brows, and a strong chin formed the features of what she might usually consider an attractive man.This, however, was not a usual situation.
Hetook his eyes from hers, glancing behind his shoulder at the servant in green who was guiding the other two women through a door.
“Myname isRevich, your most humble ofBarons.”Hewinked and grinned, bowing slightly.
“JustAsh,” she grumbled, eyes narrowing as he raised back to his full height. “Youcan call meAshfor the short whileIam forced to be here.”
She’dalways hated her full name, and she certainly didn’t want anyone to hear it now.Sheput her hands on her hips and spoke bluntly, “Ithought there was onlyoneBaronofFelgren.”Shepaused to look him up and down. “And,” she continued with a smirk, “you’re definitely not him.”
Hescoffed lightly. “Giveit a chance,Ash, before you decide to hate me and this place forever.”Heturned again to hear the servant clearing his throat and gesturing inside the door the other two women had already entered.
“Andyou’re right.Thereis usually only oneBaronat a time.IamBaronHeimlen’ssuccessor, running things here while he healed your city.”
“BaronHeimlenis…unwell?”Shehad no idea the oldBaronwas training a successor, but knewBaronsreigned inFelgrenuntil their lives gave out, their power passing to the man they chose to become their heir.
Aflash of worry crossed his face. “Wedon’t need to discuss that now.Thisis a night of celebration!Besides, it takes years to train the newBaron.”Heflashed yet another full smile. “And, thankfully,I’llbe here the entire time you are here.Weget to work together—you and me.”
Ash’seyebrows furrowed.Shedidn’t understand why he chose to be so informal in their conversation but wasn’t about to show that it bothered her. “LikeIsaid,Idon’t plan to be here long,BaronRevich.Youcan count on that.”Sheturned from him and walked swiftly to the open door the servant was still holding.
Itled to a dining room, grand, opulent, and glittering with accents of gold.Ashmay not have grown up with royal blood, but she had been around enough of the royal family to see how well the rich and important people of the isle lived.
Thetwo other women, however, were in absolute awe.Theygazed up at the shining chandelier, gold with copper leaves winding around each arm in mimicry of the ivy she saw winding up the staircase to theFortress.
Oncethey were seated,BaronRevichstrode quickly to the head of the excessively long table and raised his goblet, nodding to the other women and winking once again atAsh, his excitement hardly restrained.
“Welcome, channelers, to your new home.IamBaronRevich, future successor toBaronHeimlen.Ihope your stay here at theFortressis a productive one and that you find your place within its halls.”Hegave them a wide smile before continuing, his voice echoing in the vast hall. “Please, fill your bellies tonight and get good rest.Westart training tomorrow morning.”
Atthat, he raised his cup and took a long drink.Thetwo women awkwardly grabbed their glasses and did the same.Ashcrossed her arms and glared, unwilling to follow along.Herdefiance would continue as long as necessary before she convinced them to let her leave.
JustasBaronRevichsat down, his servant in green appeared to whisper in his ear.
“Pleaseexcuse me, there is somethingImust attend to.Enjoyyourself andI’llsee you in the morning withBaronHeimlen.”
Atthat, he swiftly left the room with his servant on his heels, and as the door closed, one of the girls giggled in delight.
“I’mso excitedIdon’t know ifIcould eat a thing!”
Ashnoticed it didn’t seem to stop her from piling on spoonfuls of yams and a giant turkey leg on her plate.
“Icould certainly eat this food!” exclaimed the other, reaching first for what looked like warm rolls and honey butter.
“Myname’sClairannia,” the first one said, mouth full of potato.Herblack hair had fallen loose from the intricate braid piled up on her head.Wispsframed her golden oval face and fell into her dark, almond eyes.Ashglanced down to her delicate hand, curious about her conduit ring.Fivebrilliant rubies were tucked into a golden band, sparkling diamonds gracing the sides of each one.
“Figuerah,” the second replied before reaching out her hand to shakeClairannia’s.Herdark skin was tattooed with symbols of the lunar phases and her hair was swept up in a similar fashion, though much thicker and with a reddish hue to her many braids.Figuerah’sring was an elegant tangle of orange and yellow stones that wove together in an unintelligible pattern above a golden band.Theyboth turned toAshin unison and expectancy.
“Ash,” she stated, picking up a slice of ham, juices spilling onto her plate.Shemight as well not starve while she was here.
“Niceto meet you both!”Clairanniasputtered between bites.
“Whereare you two from?”Figuerahasked, brown eyes darting between the two of them. “BaronHeimlenfound me in theAttatockMountains.Ilived in a tiny village.Itwas such a surprise when he showed up!”Shestopped chewing and took a gulp of wine, shaking her head as if still in disbelief. “Weknew of him of course, butI’mthe first he’s ever trained from our village, and we weren’t expecting it.Wedidn’t even have time for the ceremony, barely even theOffering.”
Figuerahgleamed with pride, causingAshto wonder for the hundredth time how she could possibly belong here.
“I’mfrom theSpire,”Clairanniachimed in. “There’sbeen hundreds of us taken.Myceremony was as grand as they come.”Shepaused and glanced down at her exuberant gown, the emerald straps laying elegantly off her small shoulders. “Well, not as grand as this gown or this place.Butstill very beautiful.”
