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Grandmaster MJKeeler
Morgan Keeler

Chapter 1: Locusts at the Gate Chapter 2: A New Name Chapter 3: The Capital Prepares Chapter 4: The Princess is Dead, Long Live the Princess Chapter 5: Outside the Gates Chapter 6: Inside the Black Tent Chapter 7: Surrender at the Temple Chapter 8: The Cult of the Locust Chapter 9: The Locust's Tenets of Faith Chapter 10: Mourners on the Cliff Chapter 11: The Eye of Betrayal Chapter 12: The Dead King's Bedchamber Chapter 13: The Arms of the Goddess Chapter 14: Zayaan of the Narim Chapter 15: The Eyes of the Priestess Chapter 16: A More Permanent Disguise Chapter 17: Tribute Chapter 18: Sacrifice of the New Moon Chapter 19: The Lost Bird Chapter 20: Manah and the Priestess Chapter 21: Desert Creatures Chapter 22: Become the Swarm Chapter 23 The Price of Betrayal Chapter 24: Life Under the Locust Chapter 25: Wild Rose Chapter 26: The Lady Wren Chapter 27: Thought and Desire Chapter 28: The Lady's Captivity Chapter 29: The Wine Maiden Chapter 30: End of Childhood Chapter 31: The Children of Aisha Chapter 32: The Forest Runner Chapter 33: Three Sisters Chapter 34: The Hunt Chapter 35: Bones in the Forest Chapter 36: Lullaby Chapter 37: The Hunter's Horn Chapter 38: Ways Between Ways Chapter 39: Morning Star Chapter 40: A Prophecy for Baraz Chapter 41: Equinox Fires Chapter 42: The Lord Prince Takri Chapter 43: Evening Star Sets Chapter 44: Chaos in the Courtyard Chapter 45: Dasha Chapter 46: Memories Chapter 47: The Body Slave Chapter 48: Caged Beasts Chapter 49: Message from the Capital Chapter 50: Heresiarch Chapter 51: The Color of Blood Chapter 52: Winter Winds Chapter 53: The Bookmaker's Closet Chapter 54: Wrapped in Dignity and Beauty Chapter 55: Vessel of the Goddess Chapter 56: Cracks in the Walls Chapter 57: Two Brothers Chapter 58: The Court of Women Chapter 59: Favored of the King Chapter 60: The Sweetest Fruit Chapter 61: Daughter of the Temple Chapter 62: A Nation of Bastards Chapter 63: The Lute Player Chapter 64: Aisha's Prayer Chapter 65: Promises Chapter 66: Lives Lost Chapter 67: The Tea Maker Chapter 68: Object of Desire Chapter 69: Empty Shelves Chapter 70: Darkness and Light Chapter 71: The Love of Men Chapter 72: The Cursed Ones Chapter 73: Hiding Places Chapter 74: Old Men's Tales Chapter 75: False Prophecies Chapter 76: The Lord Prince Radu Chapter 77: Love Becomes Life Chapter 78: Mistress and Mother Chapter 79: A Test of Strength Chapter 80: The Strigoi-Viu Cometh Chapter 81: Scraps from the Table Chapter 82: A Fool's Errand Chapter 83: The Little Ghost Chapter 84: Stolen Honeycakes Chapter 85: Breathe Chapter 86: Beneath the Palace Chapter 87: Red Pebbles Chapter 88: Common Men Chapter 89: Love and Duty Chapter 90: Nightmares Chapter 91: Earth and Sun Chapter 92: Love and Creation Chapter 93: Until My Last Breath Chapter 94: Fruit and Flower Chapter 95: Two Days Chapter 96: Small Comforts Chapter 97: Heroes Chapter 98: Fire, Water, and Wax Chapter 99: Beneath the Temple Chapter 100: The Way of Eagles Chapter 101: The Gallu Chapter 102: The Cast Off Chapter 103: The Empty Bed Chapter 104: If It Is Her Will Chapter 105: Hunger Chapter 106: The Strigoi-Viu's Gift Chapter 107: Pennyroyal Chapter 108: Forgiveness Chapter 109: Fragile Chapter 110: Another Lord Prince Chapter 111: Divine Intervention Chapter 112: Chance to Live Chapter 113: Accusations Chapter 114: Negotiations Chapter 115: Dark Memories Chapter 116: Forgotten Chapter 117: Questions and Obedience Chapter 118: Twisted Ways Chapter 119: New Eyes Chapter 120: Justice and Mercy Chapter 121: Changing Waters Chapter 122: Council of Grandmothers Chapter 123: Rising Tides Chapter 124: Dawn of Longest Night Chapter 125: One Blood Chapter 126: Winter Flowers Chapter 127: Trust Chapter 128: Bearer of Sorrows Chapter 129: Blood and Water Chapter 130: Failures Chapter 131: Last Light

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Chapter 110: Another Lord Prince

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The Way of Eagles gave way to flatter land once the caravan reached the end of the mountain pass, and while the road became less treacherous, the snow drifted as deep as a man’s chest.

“It was wise to leave as soon as we did, Tea Maker,” said Radu. “But it would have been wiser to leave earlier. The God King loves a dramatic entrance. How far are we from the capital?”

“Less than a day’s ride,” said Zayaan. “We should be there days before festivities begin for Longest Night.”

“How close can we get before we would be seen by the city watch?” asked Radu.

“Another three hours of travel, based on how many times the caravan founders in the snow,” said Zayaan. “A single rider could be in the city gates before sundown if they chose.”

“Alright,” said Radu. “We will continue for another three hours, and then we will wait until he calls us. We may be here until Longest Night if I know our God King.”

“What about the famine?” asked Zayaan. “Shouldn’t we bring the food and supplies now so that the people can eat?”

“Sweet, innocent Zayaan.” Radu cuffed his ear playfully. “Didn’t you hear me say that the God-King loves dramatic entrances? We will wait, and he will tell us when to arrive. We mortals do not second guess the judgement of God.”

“But, I thought...”

“That is the problem, Tea Maker!” Radu tapped the Narim’s forehead with his gloved finger. “You think too much! Stop trying to outwit everyone. No good will come of it, and people will think you have too grand an opinion of yourself.”

Zayaan furrowed his brow in consternation. “That makes no sense, Radu.”

“You know what, Tea Maker?” asked Radu. “You do not need to understand. You need to listen and obey. That is all. Is that too hard for your big brain? I know you are excited to see your cousin and your sister, but I know from experience Mahleck has a plan. And I will not be the one to allow that plan to go awry. How about this? We will send a messenger bird to the palace to let them know where we are camped and then we will wait for a response and instructions.”

“Alright,” said Zayaan. “I trust you, Radu.”

“Sometimes I wonder, Tea Maker.” Radu turned around on his horse to address the caravan. “Three more hours and we will make camp. Let’s go!”

Mahleck paced back and forth in his receiving room in front of the fire like a caged animal with Takri as an unwilling audience.

“Tell me what the women of the temple said while you were with them. I want to know who else dares be involved in a plot to kill my High Priest.”

Takri sat on a leather chair, the remains of a small meal on a table beside him. “They seemed to think Nasreen was poisoned with an herb meant to cause her to lose her pregnancy.”

“Go on,” said Mahleck. “What did they call it?”

“Something royal, I can’t remember,” said Takri. “They were shocked it had an effect on a man’s body like it had on Baraz. They use it medicinally to end unwanted pregnancies.”

“Such vile things women are!” spat Mahleck. “Children are the consequence of wanton desires. To think they would devise a way to end the consequences of their own debauchery disgusts me.”

“Perhaps someone was targeting Nasreen and not Baraz,” said Takri. “Perhaps they only wanted to cause her to lose the baby, and he was a victim of circumstance.”

“Preposterous!” said Mahleck. “You think your plaything is important enough to be attacked while my high priest sat beside her? They were targeting Baraz to hurt me and my plans for Longest Night!”

“But who else knows?” said Takri. “Only me and Baraz, none else.”

“Someone must know. Or they wished to kill him to make us appear weak,” said Mahleck. “To make me look like a fool. But I will find who it is and make an example of them.”

“The women think it was the Holy Mother,” said Takri.

Mahleck wheeled to face his protege. “What did you call her? Holy Mother? There is nothing holy in motherhood. Call her what she is – Heresiarch. She led the heresy of demoness worship! She is not holy! Only I am holy!”

Takri swallowed and corrected himself. “The Heresiarch. The women think she poisoned Baraz. The priests thought as much as well. They took her into custody before we left the temple, and she languishes with the girl who serves as her guide in a cell beneath your palace.”

“Good, good,” said Mahleck. “We will have to pay her a visit and extend our hospitality. Did they find the cook as well?”

“Yes.” Takri shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“What? Do you now have a soft spot for cooks as well as whores?” snapped Mahleck.

“They didn’t think I could hear, but I heard her tell another woman that she gave some of the stew to all of the kitchen staff and none were sickened. She is innocent, I am sure of it.”

“She is not innocent if she is stealing the food from my temple and feeding it to scullery maids!”

“She did not poison Baraz,” said Takri.

“You still do not understand, Takri,” said Mahleck. “This is a country newly conquered. A place full of barbarity and idolatry. A place where women are held as holy and men are nothing more than children! There is no room for disobedience or mercy for these women. None. And she will be put to death alongside the poisoner as an example to the people. Let them know what happens when they steal food meant for the Locusts!”

A rap on the door interrupted his tirade.

“Enter!” called Mahleck.

“A message from the Lord Prince Radu, your Majesty,” said the page outside the door. “Would you like me stay to take your response?”

Mahleck unrolled the small peice of parchment and read it quickly. “No need. You are dismissed.” The page bowed quickly and closed the door, leaving the two men alone once again.

“I believe it is time you met another Lord Prince, Takri. We will ride out in the morning.”

“Yes, my God and King. I will be pleased to meet Lord Prince Radu and to see my young cousin again.” Takri stood up and bowed to the King. “If it pleases you, I would like to retire for the evening so that I may be rested the ride tomorrow.”

“When I was as young as you are, I remember having boundless energy,” said Mahleck. “But that was longer ago than I care to think about. Today has been tiring for all of us. Go, rest, and be ready by dawn.”

“Yes, my God and King.”