Judge Read Online Free Page A

Parne.”
    “So it would seem.”
    “But . . . we don’t know what you’ll be facing!” Whatever color she’d recovered faded.
    Kien realized she didn’t like it one bit that he would confront danger on the Infinite’s behalf. He wanted to say, Now you understand how I feel about you being caught in a siege. But tormenting Ela wouldn’t gain the answers he sought. “I only know that I’m leaving today. Any advice for a temporary prophet?”
    Her voice distant, shaken, she simply said, “You must obey the Infinite.”
    “That’s the reason I’m going,” Kien pointed out. He instantly regretted his challenging tone, half expecting to see Ela fling the branch at him like a javelin.
    Instead, she rubbed a hand over her face, seeming dangerously close to tears. Worse than a makeshift javelin, as far as Kien was concerned. Could she be overwhelmed by fear for him? It was pleasant to think Ela loved him enough to be distraught.
    After a pause, she looked up, addressing the destroyer. “Dear rascal, you can move now. We’re finished quarreling.”
    The destroyer ambled away, but lingered at the closest clumps of shrubs, still watching.
    Tzana returned, carrying Ela’s rough mantle. Tamri followed with a ceramic goblet of steaming liquid. Ela wrapped herself in the mantle, then nestled Tzana in her lap. She thanked Tamri and accepted the goblet, but made no effort to drink. Kien wished she would. She looked almost lifeless.
    Ela watched him instead, looking as if she wanted to speak but no longer had the strength. He nudged Beka toward Ela, then joined their circle. Settling himself, Kien studied Ela. If only they were married. He could hold her. Comfort her. Instead, as a mere friend and erstwhile suitor, he had to be content with ridiculous formalities and tame questions. “You look as if you want to tell me something. What is it?”
    “You’re about to be tested.” Her low, somber prophet voice. Warning him. Raising the hairs along his scalp. “Obey the Infinite. Don’t stray from the tasks He’s given you.”
    Now she sipped from the clay goblet. Kien waited for her to say more. She didn’t. “That’s all?” So much for Ela loving him enough to be distraught. “Those are my complete instructions?”
    The faintest sad hint of a smile lit her big brown eyes. “Shall I repeat them?”
    Xiana tittered. Nia fluttered her lashes.
    Kien grimaced. “No, thank you. I’ll repeat them to you instead. I’m about to be tested. Obey the Infinite. Don’t stray from the task He’s given me—which is ToronSea. Which , incidentally, has been swayed by Atea-worshipers from Siphra who may not react cordially to my news, and I risk ritual strangulation. Did I remember everything?”
    “Yes.” Her weak smile had already faded. She set down the goblet and rocked Tzana as if the little girl were a baby. Before Kien could persist in questioning her, General Rol’s personal chariot, driven by his ancient household charioteer, clattered around the clearing, its little horse becoming skittish at Scythe’s monstrous presence.
    Accompanied by Xiana Iscove, Nia stood and smiled. “Safe journey, Kien. I mean . . . return home soon. Ela, thank you. Rather, I’ll see you later, maybe. . . .”
    Xiana sang out, “Come, Nia, that’s enough, dear!” She aimed a dart of a smile at Kien. “It’s a pity we won’t see you at your mother’s reception tonight, Kien. We’ll miss you.”
    He grinned, pleased they were departing. “My apologies. I hope you enjoy your evening.”
    Another chariot rattled alongside the ruins to retrieve two more students—a pair of twin-like sisters who, in Kien’s opinion, seemed dazed and glad to leave. Only Beka remained, and she sat quietly with Ela. Kien glanced up at the sky. Midmorning. He still had time. “Ela, I don’t intend to quarrel, but I need information. If you can’t tell me anything more about ToronSea, then tell me why Belaal would attack Parne. Remote as Parne