The Chronicles of Heaven's War: Burning Phoenix Read Online Free

departure.”
    “Mihai, I think the woman is on a mission of sorts,
she feeling the weight of the universe pressing down on her. She
does not speak of it, brushes if off when I have mentioned it, but
the woman comports herself as one does when mentally preparing for
an upcoming battle. My Love, tell me, what lies down this road we
are on? Whispers I’ve heard spoken in the dark hint that we
possibly walk into a world of hopelessness and damnation - that the
future of the universe hangs upon a thread, and we walk on a
knife’s edge of uncertainty - the reason, some believe, for
Mother’s presence.”
    Mihai offered a toothy smile of reassurance that not
to be the case, hiding her private trepidation over the coming hour
of darkness. “I’m sure it will be little different than past
exchanges. You know, the Worm’s haggling over the value of the
goods delivered for swap, his accusations of how badly his people
were mistreated, his attempts at goading us into doing something so
that he can cry ‘insult or indiscretion’ thus depriving us of a few
more of our trade goods to gain his succor. Mother only comes along
because the Wastepipe has requested she be there.”
    While Zadar contemplated her lengthy answer, Mihai
silently pondered what she was told about Trisha. It had been
decided by the Council that the new field marshal was to act as
Herald, official voice of the Council, Mihai being the Chiliarchos,
or Commanding Chief, remaining silent, as was the custom, unless
taking private counsel with her herald. A hopeless feeling swept
her heart. Oh, how much she missed Gabrielle, the person who had
been chiliarchos until Mihai became field marshal, Gabrielle then
taking over title as Mihai’s herald.
    What was TrishaQaShaibJal up to anyway? Mother had
appointed the woman field marshal against Mihai’s wishes, but
Mother was not to be denied when the mood was on her. Maybe Trisha
was a good military strategist and leader. Still… being good at war
did not necessarily make one competent at political intrigues, and
this Prisoner Exchange would be filled with them. And it was not
Mother who requested Trisha stand in for Mihai as herald at the
upcoming negotiations. The Council, by the majority vote of the
twenty-four decided that, by a small margin.
    This Trisha was a sly fox, at least when Mother was
dabbling in her head. There would be no dabbling at the Prisoner
Exchange, could not. Mother promised she would not interfere with
her magic - that was at least what Asotos called it. Trisha
would be on her own, all her inexperience revealed for the whole
world to see. Mihai could only imagine what disasters awaited them
once Asotos started toying with the woman.
    Maybe this was one of Mother’s tests. She was quite
fond of them, especially when her children were unsuspecting. Why,
Mihai had been tested just the other day, regarding the kingship.
Possibly Mother was again testing her out concerning the new royal
position she now possessed. Could be… Whatever, she must prepare
just in case she was called upon to pull this Prisoner Exchange out
of the fire. Mother would be watching closely. She would be
expecting her new king to rescue the moment and save the day.
    Mihai finally offered, “Why don’t I, on the morrow,
seek out this lady of yours and have a personal, private
conversation with her. Maybe she will confess to me what’s
troubling her heart so. I might even be able to draw her feelings
out so that we… you… will understand better what’s going on with
her. I’ll be happy to help.”
    Zadar grinned, squeezing Mihai’s hand. “You are so
kind to me!” He sadly shook his head. “The men of her world, even
Paul, make light of my feelings, at times thinking they are
somewhat humorous. To them, my trials are commonplace, part of
growing into manhood. I am long since grown into manhood, and I
have already loved to the full some of the women of that world, and
been loved by them, satisfying their spirits in