Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
Jemet twists her hands in her lap, watching as I share my sandwich with the goat. “I thought so too, but I consulted the thread-spinner to see if she had any advice.”
“You did?” I ask between bites. “When was this?”
“While you were napping yesterday.” She looks even more worried, her hands pulling at each other constantly. “I went to the village and spoke with her and… I did not like what I found out, Mistress.”
Uh oh. I swallow a dry mouthful and give the rest of the meal to the goat, because something tells me I’m not going to like this answer. The thread-spinner is the local wise woman they mentioned before, and while I don’t believe that she’s tapped into the future, I do know that the gods and the Fates are real, so I need to give things like that some consideration. “What is it?”
Jemet’s expression is stricken. “The priestess says that she has seen a change coming.”
Well, change isn’t necessarily bad. “What kind of change?”
“I asked her to pull your thread to view it, and she pulled two threads instead. That means there is another in the area, or there will be soon.”
It takes me a moment to realize what she’s saying. “Another…? You mean there’s another god? Around here?”
“The thread-spinner said she saw an army on the horizon.”
“…what?”
Chapter
Eight
“An army,” Jemet says again. “She says she has seen omens that speak of a large conquering force heading this way. That when she pulls the strings, they are all knotted and clustered together. That means not one soldier, but many. A great, great many.”
“An army coming here? Here here?” I gesture at the temple plaza.
Jemet nods. “They come to where my Lord Kalos dwells.”
I swallow hard. Well, that can’t be good. I rub my forehead, trying to think. “Why is there an army coming here? He doesn’t want visitors.”
“Mistress…” her expression becomes grave. “They are not here to visit. They are here to defeat him and kill you.”
Oh.
Oh dear. I’d forgotten about that part. The part where he’s been split into four and he can only return to his immortality if the other three versions of him are defeated. And the only way they’re defeated is by getting rid of his Anchor.
As in…me.
Time for action. “She’s certain?”
“The thread-spinner is never wrong, Mistress. I wish that she was.” Jemet looks upset. “I am so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. I got too comfortable, that’s all.” I rub my face, trying to think. “And we’re sure it’s another Aspect?”
“No one else would dare attack a god.”
“Do we know which one? Which Aspect?” Not that it matters. I can get equally murdered by any of them, but right now I need information.
“Arrogance,” Priestess Jemet says. “The most warlike one.”
Is he? It tracks, I suppose. Hedonism would just throw parties or something. Lies would…well, I don’t know. I don’t know enough about this world and its history. I do feel vaguely betrayed by Lachesis, though. She’d made it sound like everyone was on board with the plan. “But I thought the gods wanted Apathy—my guy—to be the last one standing.”
“I imagine they do, Mistress, but that does not mean that that particular Aspect wishes the same thing.” She gives me an apologetic look. “I know this is not ideal—”
I resist the urge to laugh hysterically in her face. An army coming to murder me is not ideal, no.
“—but perhaps it might be best if you go into hiding with Lord Kalos?” Jemet continues. “We are loyal to you and will do whatever it takes to help you escape.”
Escape. Of course. Escape sounds like a very good idea. I glance over at the closed main temple, with the guarded doors. Somewhere behind those doors is my Aspect, the one that just wants to be left alone. How am I possibly going to get him to leave with me? I can’t go on my own. I’m tethered to him. We can’t stay here, though. Rolling over and dying is not part of the plan. “Where do we go?” I ask Jemet.
“I do not know, Mistress.” A tear streams down her worried face, and her hands twist fiercely. “We have failed you.”
“What? Hey, no, you have been amazing.” I pull her into my arms and give her a hug, because she looks like she needs one. “It’s not your fault the other guys aren’t playing fair. You and the others have been incredible and have taken care of us so well.”
“Oh, Mistress.” Jemet takes a deep, shuddering breath. “If you are fleeing, let me pack a bag for you. I can find coin and weapons. Anything you need.”
“I’d love that. Pack lots of food. Whatever money you can find.” I’m not sure about the weapon part since I don’t know how to use one. My thoughts are scattered, anxiety making my mind race. How am I going to get Kalos out of here? What do I say to him to convince him? “Whatever you can get for us. We’ll figure it out.”