Phoenix in Shadow - eARC Read Online Free PDF

“Master,” but that had failed miserably, as she could have told him if he’d asked. So there was only a slight twitch before he replied, “Thank you, Sanhon. I don’t suppose...”
    “You want more crispwings? Don’t you have them—”
    “In Skysand? Almost never. They had to be imported from the Empire of the Mountain, at best, and maybe from somewhere in the State of the Dragon King. I think I got them three times before in my life, and these are just wonderful.”
    The older woman— well, older than me , but not anything like old — smiled. “In that case I’m sure I can get Dankhron to fry up some more, if you can wait.”
    “Thank you so much; I’d be glad to wait. I can always eat something else.” She watched as he surveyed the generous assortment of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses in the center of the table. Grabbing a handful of arlavas —greenish berries with a frosty sheen—he sat back and looked over to Kyri. “Well, all right, let’s leave that problem aside for now,” he said with a quick smile that emphasized the clean symmetry of his face. “Do you think you could leave Evanwyl now? Are things all right?”
    Kyri considered. The Temple of the Balance was fully repaired, and—more importantly—people were attending regularly again, and she felt their faith, especially when she was there, part of the ceremony with Arbiter Kelsley. Their doubts had slowly faded over the last month or so; she knew this was because pretty much everyone in Evanwyl, from the Watchland to farmers and butchers and the other Eyes and Arms knew her, and they listened to her when she explained to them her faith, her mission, and the need for not just her, but everyone , to believe in Myrionar. “It has already fulfilled much of Its promise to me,” she would say, “and I now know that It will somehow fulfill the rest of it, so long as I stay true. And I know It will bless us all if we can all find it in our hearts to keep our faith in the Balanced Sword.”
    “I think...yes, I think they are,” she said finally. “Oh, I’m always going to be nervous that leaving will trigger some catastrophe, but waiting forever will be worse. There’s only...”
    Somehow he caught on, perhaps from seeing her glance around the room. “Oh, that’s right. Your aunt isn’t here and so there won’t be anyone guarding the family home.”
    “Is that silly of me? I mean, it’s not like the house will fall apart, Vanstell will—”
    “It’s not silly at all,” Poplock said emphatically from somewhere near the cheese wheels. She saw him pop up from behind one, chewing on a berry. “The Vantages are a symbol to your people. Even if you aren’t here, this place is going to be a symbol, and someone might decide that burning that symbol down, like they did your parent’s house, would be a great statement of how weak you and your god are. Someone being the false Justiciars, or their boss.” He made a comical face. “Well, okay, hard to burn this place down since it’s mostly stone, but you get the idea.”
    She wished she could argue that, but she couldn’t. Vantage Fortress was a symbol, hundreds, maybe thousands of years old, and if their enemies wrecked it after she left...
    She toyed with the seasoned steak in front of her. “You’re right, of course. But I can’t stay here forever. Your mission and mine...time’s not standing still, and we know what’s happening elsewhere. But I need someone who will be able to keep Vantage Fortress... alive , I guess, even if they’re not a Vantage. Vanstell—”
    Vanstell shook his head and smiled. “My Lady, I am—with no false modesty—an excellent Master of House, and I have been proud to serve you and your family in that capacity for the last twenty-two years. But I am, regrettably, not a person with the dynamic and powerful presence you would need.”
    Kyri smiled fondly at him. “I was about to say something of the sort, because I know what you like to do, and if