Free The Broken Kingdom by Sarah Chapman Page B

that. I never judged you after Seta died. Perhaps I
should have but…’ she closed her eyes, ‘you were so upset, I didn’t
think I would find anything, and you were my friend besides. Not
even in my darkest nightmares did I imagine you could do something
so…’ she opened her eyes, fixed them on him. ‘I was wrong, terribly
so. And now Rose will judge you.’

    When Rose arrived on the beach, they all
came to watch; Riley, Vann, Karesh and the other nine gemengs.
    Riley still wore the clothes of sunlight.
Adila assured her new clothes were coming.
    Rose faced Aerlid as the others formed a
semicircle around them. Adila stood behind Rose, not quite a part
of the observers or the participants.
    Rose’s expression was no different than
usual. But then, her usual expression was a frown.
    ‘Aerlid,’ she snapped, ‘along with
everything else, your actions have caused great divisions among the
valkar. People wonder if Moonsingers are somehow damaged.
Kalkaluna’s name, not heard for centuries, is once again spoken. If
there is another split in our people, this will also be on your
shoulders.’
    Aerlid frowned. ‘You can’t keep the valkar
together, Judgement Master? Kalkaluna committed her crime millennia
ago, during one of the earliest Ehlkrid incursions, before the
Sunsingers were able to reach the sun.’
    ‘She was a Moonsinger, you are a Moonsinger
and you have both killed. Her crimes caused the valkar to split.
I’m afraid yours may do the same.’
    ‘I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking of that at the
time. I’m glad to know what your biggest concern is though.’ he bit
out acidly. ‘Though perhaps such a split would please you. Only
those related to and close friends of Kalkaluna exiled themselves
from the valkar. Perhaps Adila will now do the same?’
    ‘Your levity does you no service now.’
    ‘I’m being quite serious, Rose. That this is
your greatest concern worries me more than the thought of the
valkar splitting again. I am here to be judged, not talked to.’
    ‘Hold out your hand, Moonsinger.’
    And the judgement began. It took much longer
than her judgement of Riley, or Adila’s of Vann.
    She only used one seed, but it grew slowly
and wrapped Aerlid tightly. The rose petals were thick, and vividly
red. As before, the thorns did not pierce his skin, though as he
was a valkar, that did not mean they weren’t hurting him.
    And then it was done.
    Rose stepped back. She spoke her judgement
in a terrible voice, ‘your name will be stricken from the valkar.
You will be bound in sunlight, forever awake. The moon will never
again shine on you, and you shall never be able to imagine it
again. Song will be taken from you. You will be alone, lost and
forsaken by all. And when you fade away, your lady moon will reject
you. Though that is not in my power to ensure, my judgement has
assured me it will be so.’
    Neither Adila nor Aerlid looked surprised.
Aerlid looked terribly ashen, lost and alone.
    Riley turned to Adila. ‘Is that a bad
thing?’ she asked.
    A great pain visible in her eyes, softly she
sighed, ‘Nothing more terrible could happen to a Moonsinger.’

 

    Chapter 17
    T he valkar were gone.
Rose had at least brought some clothes for Riley, though she hadn’t
seemed happy to be a delivery girl.
    The clothes were of the rich, deep black,
like her previous valkar made clothes. The cut was also similar.
Riley seemed very relieved to be out of the clothes of
sunlight.
    She and Vann were on the beach, Karesh was
also nearby.
    ‘We need to get you back to Coastside.’
Riley was saying to Vann. They had not spoken much since her body
had returned.
    ‘No.’ Vann responded. ‘I’m staying with
you.’
    Her brows rose in surprise. ‘Vann-’
    ‘It’s not up for discussion.’ he said
firmly.
    ‘And your Commander is ok with this?’
    ‘It doesn’t matter.’
    ‘I’m not starting a war over this!’
    ‘I don’t think you have to worry about that,
Riley.’
    Riley’s face clouded.