Denise Rossetti Gift Of The Goddess (pdf)(1)

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there s enough for us all. Is he awake?
Trey shook his head. I let him sleep. He s exhausted.
We have to plan, Trey.
The door creaked open. So we do. The Day of the Dark is only eight days away. Brin leaned against
the doorjamb, magnificently naked, scratching his bare chest and yawning. I missed you, scout. He
favored Anje with a half-smile that reduced her brain to the same consistency as their breakfast and
tugged her into the room.
Here. Eat something. Anje shoved the dish into his hands and brushed her lips across his uninjured
arm.
Trey grinned and took advantage by swatting Brin across the backside. Then he gripped and squeezed.
Spots of color burned on the shaman s high cheekbones and his hands clenched around the bowl. He
cleared his throat. Do you actually have a plan?
Sort of, said Trey. We didn t know if we d come out of the rescue with whole hides. Brin s brow
darkened and Trey hurried on. So we thought we d lie low for a few days. Only& He ran a hand over
his scalp and looked startled at its smoothness. I don t trust Nilda. If she decides there s more money to
be made by turning us in to the Hssrda& He shrugged.
And I promised Braithie I d get her away from the woman, didn t I? Brin swallowed a spoonful of
porridge and made a face. That ll teach me to be noble. How much money do we have?
A search through garments and belt pouches produced thirty gold marks and a few coppers.
What s all this for? asked Brin, staring at the haul.
A pleasure slave, that s what for, said Trey. And the blast powder and Anje s clothes and
I understand. Brin held up a hand. We have to get out of here and soon. Thank Lufra, you saved the
saddle bags. He upended one and shook it. Where are my old boots?
If we had enough& Anje s voice trailed off.
What? asked Brin, eying a pair of worn trews with profound disfavor.
We could send Braithie to Mother s Hearth, she said in a rush. With my map.
So we could. Brin paused, his hands on his laces. But would she go?
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She says she will.
He raised a brow. How did you manage that?
I told her about the Children of the Mother. Anje smiled and patted the heavy band of muscle on his
bare chest. Do you know who the Children are? How they began?
No.
162 Gift of the Goddess
There s a story. Anje sank cross-legged to the mattress. She gazed up at the Feolin. More than a
thousand years ago, five women banded together. Their names are lost in time, so we call them the
Sisters of Desperation. They d all been beaten, raped, diminished by cruelty. The laws of the society they
lived in tied them to brutal men.
Brin frowned and Trey shifted his feet. Anje went on, her voice lifting, But they were strong. They
escaped. Took their children and fled across the Empty Lands. They were the founders of Mother s
Hearth, the first Matriarchs. Don t you see? She rose. The Children are strong now, but Mother s
Hearth is still a refuge. If she wants to work in the Pleasure Quarter, fine. She shrugged. But no one
can force Braithie to do anything against her will. Not where women rule.
And men? asked Brin.
Men are valued. They have an equal voice in all things, save the final decisions. The Matriarchs make
those, but they welcome male counsel.
It s not a bad idea, scout. Let me think. Brin stamped into his boots, all grim purpose. The beard gave
him a dark, piratical air. At last he said, We could send her with a merchant s caravan. They come
through The Hollows all the time for the hides. There ll be someone taking a route that crosses the Empty
Lands for sure. I can only see a single problem, but it s a big one.
Isn t thirty gold marks enough? asked Anje, her heart sinking.
Not by half. Brin quirked a brow. Unless she earns the rest of the passage on her back.
No!
That s what I thought you d say. I ll take care of it. He glanced at Trey. You say this Nilda knows
her way round the town?
Trey nodded and Brin said decisively, Right. I m going out. You two stay here and pack. I want us
ready to leave when I get back.
But Trey took a jerky step forward. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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