Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [108]
‘I’ve got a major twist going on in my world…’
‘A twist?’
‘It’s more than inconvenient and I think it might be contagious. It might even be linked to the demise of your Earth.’
‘Demise?’ Selene said.
Nell gave a brief nod, returning her focus to Jarrod.
‘How so?’ he asked.
‘There’s a tyrant on the Dragon Bone Chair and he’s got control of all the temples across the known lands of Gaela.’
‘He?’ Jarrod interrupted. ‘Rosette said there was a High Priest in Gaela.’
‘That’s part of the problem.’
‘How’d it happen?’
‘Long story.’
‘We’ve got time.’
Selene stepped forward. ‘Hate to contradict you, but we don’t!’ She put her hand firmly on Jarrod’s shoulder, drawing him back. ‘There’s no knowing how long we’ve been away from Tensar,’ she said. ‘And we’re no closer to a solution to the…situation there. We’ve lost track of Rosette, and her familiar, and we don’t know where we are or how to get back—to my time or yours. The corridors are running like a back-alley crap shoot, and anything could happen. I’d say it’s not really the right time for long stories, wouldn’t you agree?’
‘That’s where I come in,’ Nell said, leaning forward.
‘Really? How’s that?’ Selene’s voice rang out a challenge.
The two women faced each other.
‘You’ll need to listen if you want to find out,’ Nell said. Her voice was light, as if she was talking to a small child who didn’t quite understand.
Jarrod put his hand out as Selene reached for her sword. ‘Wait,’ Jarrod said. ‘Let’s hear Nell’s story. We need to make some choices and if she has a piece to this puzzle, I’d like to see the shape of it.’
Selene let out a huff. ‘I’ve no doubt she has something to offer, but I think the puzzle she’s working on is not the same as ours.’
‘That’s where you’re wrong, border marshal. There is ultimately only one puzzle, though we like to see it as many.’
Selene scoffed. ‘Witches’ riddles.’ She kept her hand on her sword hilt.
‘Come, Nell, let’s hear it,’ Jarrod said. ‘We’re listening.’
Nell stared at Selene, continuing her story only after the other woman took a small step backward. Jarrod exhaled. It was unnerving, conversing with this exotic woman, so strange and yet so familiar. She was like his Nell in some ways—her serenity and grace, her confidence—and she was like Kreshkali in others. Her voice had an edge, a quick-trigger survival instinct that made her unpredictable, ruthless and dangerous. She also had a quality about her that was wholly foreign. He couldn’t identify it, but it was there just the same. She brewed a potent spell that put him on tenuous ground. He’d need to watch out. There was more going on than she was telling him.
‘It started, long ago in my time, with a priest named Braxton Corvey. He was consort to the High Priestess Le Saint before she fell ill and passed over.’
‘No successor named?’ Jarrod asked.
‘That was the problem. It happened unexpectedly, after a riding accident. She broke her leg and infection set in.’ Nell’s tone changed when she said the word ‘accident’. ‘Corvey took her place, a temporary measure that became permanent.’
‘It wasn’t contested?’
‘At first, no one seemed to mind—he was doing a great job and it gave everyone freedom to mourn Le Saint while he ran things. She was well loved, and honestly, I don’t think anyone wanted her replaced, at least, not immediately. Corvey worked hard and, as it turns out, deviously. He extended his influence, first at Treeon and then across the temple lands from Bangeesh to Corsanon, even Timbali. His charisma united the people in a way that had never been seen. We all got swept up in it. There was no evidence of his treachery until he’d gained the highest power.’
‘He became regent over all the temples?’
‘Exactly. By then it was too late to contain him. He’d spotted his threats early and had taken measures.’
‘Put limitations on females, did he?’
She nodded. ‘It started out slowly, almost imperceptibly. He replaced