“Hestin changed you.” He paused before turning to face me fully. “It’s good. You’re going to need it in the coming days.”
With that, he turned back to the fire, effectively dismissing me.
I left the study feeling even more off-kilter, more on edge than I was when I entered.
Chapter 25
The Warlord
“Has he taken a Vessel yet?” Kaos’ gravely voice boomed. I was incredibly grateful for the Air Wards placed both around the study and on the windows that led outside. Without them, someone would not only be able to hear his voice, but would inevitably see him, especially with the way the afternoon light illuminated my office.
I sighed, rolling my head as I contemplated my answer. Kaos started randomly appearing here ever since he and his sister, Solace, took over the rebellion’s camp in the south. After spending so many millennia in solitary confinement on Meru, Kaos was rather chatty—a fact that was both a blessing and a curse. While I was able to glean vital pieces of information that I would have otherwise been blind to, the god seemed to like to hear himself speak.
Hubris, I suppose.
“Truthsayer, are you listening to me? I asked if the General had taken a Vessel yet?” He was growing impatient with me the longer I held onto my own secrets. I had to waylay him as long as possible, had to keep my plans locked in my mind.
Otherwise, everything would be for naught.
Ellowyn’s trauma and torment.
The broken relationship with the man who was once more brother than friend.
The fraying alliances.
The death and sacrifices.
The blood that would run red through the streets of Vespera.
None of it would matter.
I can give him this piece of information.
For both of our plans, it appeared Rohak needed to take a Vessel. It was just unclearwhothe Vessel was supposed to be.
Perhaps a visit to Jarius is in order.
The very last remaining Keeper was locked away in a secret room beneath the street that connected the manor to the Academy. At one point, it held the Matriarch’s father but with his passing, it stood empty. Until I found Jarius and he offered himselfwillingly.
That part still confused me.
After what I did to the Keepers, no one should offer themselves willingly.
There has to be more at play than I don’t know about.
The thought made my head pound.
Kaos growled slightly, and I sighed.
“No, he hasn’t,” I said tiredly before sinking into a chair, a fresh glass of whiskey in my hand. “Whiskey?” I asked the god.
Kaos strode to my bar cart, eerily silent, as he measured himself a healthy pour of Hestin’s finest. I grumbled beneath my breath, annoyed that he took so much of what little remained. After the shit show in Katiska, I doubted the distillery would supply me any more barrels.
I could just force them.
If they were even still open.
Disgruntled and annoyed, I took a small sip of my drink, rolling it around my mouth and letting it sit on the back of my tongue so I could relish in all of the flavors.
