Page 44 of The Garnet Daughter
He nods and gestures off to the side, where the large ship curves and then juts out, creating an area away from the others.
“I hope you understand when I say this, but are you tethered to Ferren at the moment?”
“We are always tethered.” He tilts his head.
“I mean—” I let out a frustrated exhale. “I would like to get your thoughts on something before hers if that is alright. I’m not asking you to keep anything from her, just give me a chance to explain . . . between us.”
He nods again.
I shuffle on my feet as he inspects me, his helmet fixed on my face, and even though I have grown used to it, right now I avoid looking back in case I catch a glimpse of my own frantic expression.
“What is it that you wish to speak of?”
“Selene and Ferren are not worried about Omnesis. But I am, and I believe if you heard the same things the Frithian elders said, you would be as well.”
“What did they say you have not already spoken?”
“It was also how they delivered the information. One of the elders mentioned its temple was located in the birthlands. Is that not part of First Son’s domain?”
“The structure he resides in is in the birthlands, the closer to it, the more the population follows him. Where is the temple?”
“They did not say exactly.”
“I see.”
“Omnesis pointed out the very thing it saw as an imbalance, something to be evened out. I don’t know how it does such things, but what if it is as simple as snapping its fingers or . . . what if First Son uses it to cull the number of priestesses like Ferren as an attack?”
He takes the largest breath I have ever seen from a human, his chest puffing out as if his armor will crack. “Continue.”
“I know Ferren and Selene feel responsible for the ward, in making sure it is erected by the conjunction, and August ishelping with the frontline defense. But what canIdo? The only help I can provide is my gifts, and one of them is being able to speak with the old god who has made it clear it believes Ferren should not exist.”
“You want clearance to travel to the birthlands with August?” His helmet tilts again as he speculates.
Of course he thinks I am asking that, to have August take me in his ship.
“Not with August. But I need a ship to take me. I cannot rely on folding there, and I will need help finding the temple.”
He places his hands on his hips, considering. “Ferren won’t like it.”
“No one will, but we both know I have to. I am the only one who can speak with it.”
“What were the elders’ instructions to stop it?”
They did not say it was possible, but if I tell him that, he may not let me go. “I think if I use the spell book, maybe I could bind it to its temple like it was bound to the dungeon below the Estate.”
“That book was never recovered from the temple.” He considers then looks down at me. “Which is sealed.”
I nod in understanding. “That part won’t be a problem.”
“I can spare two commanders. A small cruiser ship.” His tone is the same as it is when he is speaking to other Viathans. I know not to take it personally. He is as concerned as I am. We are not as close as the others, but we often concur on the same things. “I do this only if you are certain you can stop this creature.”
I force a steady nod. “Just as Ferren outsmarted the Albright, I will stop Omnesis.”
99 is not an easy person to convince, but he would agree to anything that would halt any danger from coming to Ferren. He killed the babbling elder priestess, I am certain, the one who could have given us more information on Omnesis, and now heis carrying that guilt. I am happy to take it away. I have enough for both of us.
“I need my commanders back before the conjunction begins. Beyond that, I’m not sure if you will be able to reenter.”
“Thank you.”
