Comet Fall (Wine of the Gods) Read Online Free PDF

Aunt Fussy had insisted on just a few pieces of jewelry, for modesty, with the most valuable stones, probably to increase her meat market value.
    "Excellent. Now, stand there and don't touch your face, while I fix up Lady Never."
    Rustle managed to keep her face straight, and watched in delight while her own torture was repeated on Never.
    Leppie got off easy, a touch of powder and lip tint "suitable for a young girl."
    Lady Florence rechecked her own appearance, nodded and led the trio of reluctant women out.
    The General was just entering the foyer from the other side, and beamed at them. "Ready to overwhelm the men of Western?"
    "Ready," Never shook her head. "Although I think you are optimistic. We're more likely to scandalize—again—than overwhelm."
    "Politics, my dear. The people, especially the government and military, need to become familiar with magic users again. However much I enjoy your company, an unrepentant family of witches is exactly what this group needs to meet. All the young officers we've rounded up for the Winter School will be here tonight. Talk to them. They need to know about witches."
    Rustle nodded. She and her mother had had a long chat. They'd recognized the political n ature that underlay everything in the city.
    The butler threw open the door as the General's large carriage came to a halt, a nice bit of choreography. Rustle followed her mother into the carriage.
    "As you know, we're in a three way power struggle. Well short of war, at the moment, but things tend to blow up fast when one side has made the decision to go to war. The Auralians are flocking to the God of Peace. The things he's saying to them make me wish for the day when I only had to worry about Ba'al. He's started more of a political party than a religion, although it's a bit difficult to see the difference. They had a bit of a setback some years ago, the God of War showed up and sent him packing. But they've started probing the southern border again. The Veronians are, well. The God of Love." He shrugged. "A country wide orgy once a year, and a population explosion are doing odd things to that society. They're starting to look toward the New Lands too. I hate to say it, but Scoone is looking like a responsible, reasonable neighbor."
    "I heard they've stopped burning our emissaries." Never kept a straight face.
    The General snorted, "Yes, finally. They still won't have anything to do with the New Lands, so that's all to the good. The exploration of the Old World is going slowly. We've found sealed and protected buildings, and we're hoping for books, libraries, universities. I've been thinking about trying to get Nil to come with us, take a look and see if he can pry open the seals."
    Never nodded. "Mention the prospect of old books, and you probably won't be able to get rid of him."
    Rustle brightened. "Do you need some witches along?"
    Never snorted. "Most likely he'd prefer some older, more experienced magic users, Dear?"
    Rustle scowled.
    The carriage rattled to a halt. The General's house was adjacent to the Royal Palace. The ride was simply to circle the grounds and make an entrance.
    It was indeed an entrance. Someone had been checking the proper titles for Witches, and so they were announced as "Sister of the Full Moon Lady Never Happydaut," "Sister of the Crescent Moon Lady Rustle Neverdaut," and "Sister of the Crescent Moon Lady Leopardite Happydaut."
    "Lad y?" Never murmured to the General.
    "I insisted, and Father agreed."
    No one argued with the venerable King Rebo. 
    "Lady it is."
    Rustle spotted a few familiar faces; the King's mage visited Ash regularly, and a lot of army officers had passed through. The General, with Never on his arm and Rustle and Leppie following, led them to the central dais, and King Rebo.
    "Never, what a pleasure to see you again." King Rebo was finally showing his age, musculature gone stringy and thin, but his back was straight and his voice clear. "Rustle. Leopardite. You've never met