Children of the Wastes (The Aionach Saga Book 2) Read Online Free

years,” he said thoughtfully. “Splendid. You’re ready.
You’ve been ready for some time now, truth be told. I want you to know that
we’ve been considering you for the Esteemed since before the attack. The
vacancies in the Order’s higher ranks have nothing to do with our decision. We
believe in your abilities; you’ve earned this on your own merit, kind Sister.
Consider this your official calling. Will you accept that calling, and choose
to become an Esteemed Priestess of the Order?”
    Is refusal an option? she wanted to ask. “With every
fiber of my being… yes.” Certainly, there were several fibers of Bastille’s
being that wanted to run. Several more had serious doubts. But expressing doubt
to the Most High was akin to facing down a stampeding herd of cattle. It was a
good way to get oneself in trouble.
    “This makes my heart glad,” said Liero.
    “Mine as well,” Sister Dominique chimed in.
    Bastille noticed the witch-woman was looking paler than
usual. Her aches and pains must be acting up again , she decided. “I
anticipate my induction with a full heart and a humble spirit.”
    Liero’s smile disappeared. “In the meantime, there are other
matters to discuss.”
    Bastille hoped they could discuss these matters quickly, or
she was apt to fall asleep where she stood.
    “A new crop of initiates will come through our gates in a few
days’ time. Brother Froderic has arranged it.”
    Exhausted as she was, Bastille was beginning to doubt whether
her memory served her true. How is it that a dead man managed to arrange the
arrival of our newest recruits? she wondered.
    “Now more than ever,” Liero continued, “the future of the
Cypriests falls upon you, Sister Bastille. You alone can harness the knowledge
Soleil gave you and pass it on to your students.”
    “Were you not aware that Sister Bastille’s entire class of
acolytes has vanished?” Gallica asked him.
    “I am quite aware of that,” Liero snapped. “Which is
precisely why I must emphasize the need for fast identification and acquisition
of the most promising new recruits. Sister Bastille shall have first choice of
the acolytes this time around. Kind Sister, after the initiation cycle is
complete, you may choose the three acolytes you deem most talented. Waste no
time in your lessons. Make no concessions. None of your students must fall
behind.”
    “It will be done, kind Brother Liero,” she promised.
    Dominique straightened in her chair, folding her white-gloved
hands on the table. “Where did those former pupils of yours get off to,
Sister Bastille? They’ve not been seen since the attack, and their bodies were
not found among the dead.”
    “I fear I can give you no answer for that,” said Bastille.
She knew full well what had happened to Brother Mortial, Sister Adeleine, and
Sister Jeanette. They had chosen to leave the Order. The Scarred Comrades had
taken them through the labyrinth and escaped to the city north. Bastille could
never tell a soul that she had allowed them to go.
    Lying to the Most High twisted her up inside, but she didn’t
feel quite so bad knowing they were lying right back to her about Brother
Froderic. Why had they chosen a dead man to take the fourth seat? She hoped
answers would be easier to come by once she was Esteemed.
    “It seems we’ve managed to lose track of a frightening number
of people lately,” Dominique said. “This will not stand. Every priest and
acolyte who travels beyond our walls only heightens the risk of another attack.
And if that weren’t bad enough, the Order’s stores are at their lowest in
years. We’re running out of goods to trade with the heathens—goods which have
historically appeased them in times of stress and revolt. It seems our reserves
have been squandered. I have little doubt this is due to Brother Froderic’s
absence. I wait for his return with the sincerest hope that it’s not too late
for him to set things right again.”
    Froderic was the very person