Free The Last Whisper of the Gods by James Berardinelli Page A

man, but mature enough to learn the truth rather than relying on fairy tales.”
    “Then he ain’t.”
    Kara shook her head. “Lamanar cannot have children. An... accident... when he was a young man left him as a eunuch.” For Sorial, that answered many questions. “There are many things in my past I’m not proud of, but the liaison that led to your conception isn’t one of them. You’re not the product of some dark alleyway dalliance or tawdry backroom coupling. You were planned and the day of your birth was one of the happiest of my life. It hurt Lamanar because he loved me but couldn’t fill the duty of giving me a child.”
    “Who is my father?” It was a natural question. Although the name probably wouldn’t mean anything to him, Sorial felt it was important to know it.
    Kara didn’t reply immediately. When she spoke, she did so carefully, considering each word. “I can’t tell you. Not because I don’t wish to but because there are circumstances about my life that no one - not even my child - can know. I wasn’t always the person you see now, Sorial - the hapless wife of a struggling farmer. But there’s danger to reveal more and the identity of your father is a closely guarded secret. As far as the world knows, Lamanar is your sire, and you mustn’t let anyone believe otherwise.”
    The cryptic nature of Kara’s revelation elevated Sorial’s curiosity. “You can’t tell me that much and expect me to forget it! If my whole life is a lie, I deserve to know everything!”
    Kara flinched. “ Deserve , Sorial? You presume too much. I’ve told you this because I believe you’re old enough to know. Don’t make me regret my decision. And never think your life has been a lie. Certain things have been kept from you - for your safety and the safety of others - but all in you that’s good and true is real. We aren’t always masters of our fates. I’ve been a pawn for much of my life and, in a way, remain so to this day. Someday, I promise, you’ll know everything that’s hidden, even if I have to return from the grave to tell you it.”
    “So Lamanar hates me cause I’m another man’s son. Does he know this man?” asked Sorial, trying another approach. A name. Just a name, yet so much more…
    “Lamanar has met your father. They shared talk and ale, but were never close. My marriage isn’t one of necessity, Sorial. And Lamanar doesn’t hate you. Rather, he fears becoming attached to you, so he keeps you at a distance. Someday, perhaps that may change. You might not believe it, but I think he’d like to bring you back to the farm and treat you like a proper son, but a sense of duty compels him to do otherwise.”
    “Do I have any brothers or sisters?” He was determined to find out everything he could, although he knew it wouldn’t be enough. A few drops of water couldn’t satisfy a parched man.
    “Two brothers and one sister, all much older than you. They were born before I came to Vantok, as were you. Your brothers are dead. I don’t know where your sister is, or whether she lives. She ran away long ago. I like to believe… but no matter.”
    “Why can’t you just tell me everything?” Sorial’s frustration was evident. Sitting across from him was someone with answers to all his questions, but she wouldn’t say. “Don’t I have a right to know?”
    “I wish to the gods I could tell you, but I can’t. Not now. Perhaps I’ve already said too much. You should have been allowed another year or two of innocence before your destiny found you.”
    “Are you really my mother, or is that another lie?”
    Kara placed her left hand on her belly. “For three seasons, I carried you here. My heart leapt with joy at every kick of your tiny feet and I wept with happiness when the midwife presented you to me. I’ll always be here for you, Sorial, no matter what.”
    Sorial believed her. In fact, he believed every word she had spoken to him, even if too little made sense. He hated riddles.