"Jennifer Fallon - Demon Child 01 - Medalon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Fallon Jennifer)

chapter of the Sisterhood. Today we rest.”

Another tired cheer greeted her announcement. With her dismissal, the ranks of the Sisterhood dissolved
as the women turned with relief toward the tunnel that led out of the arena to make their way home. They
muttered quietly among themselves, no doubt as surprised as R’shiel was to learn the identity of the new
First Sister. The Defenders still did not move, would not move, until every Sister had left the arena.
Mahina led the exodus. R’shiel studied Joyhinia and the other members of the Quorum, but they gave no
hint of their true feelings.

The sky was considerably lighter as the last green-skirted Novice disappeared down the tunnel and
Jenga finally dismissed his men. R’shiel waited for the others to leave, hoping for a moment alone with the
Lord Defender. The pyre collapsed in on itself with a sharp crack and a shower of sparks as the
Defenders broke ranks with relief. Many simply sat down. Many more flexed stiff knees and rubbed
aching backs. Jenga beckoned two of his captains to him. The men rose stiffly but saluted sharply enough
for the Foundation Day Parade.

“Georj, keep some men here and keep the pyre burning until it is nothing but ashes,” he ordered the
younger of the two wearily.

“And the ashes, my Lord?” Georj asked.

“Rake them into the sand,” he said with a shrug. “They mean nothing now.” He turned to the older
captain. “Tell the men they may only rest once their mounts are fed and taken care of, Nheal. And then
call for volunteers for the hanging guard. I’ll need ten men.”

“For this hanging guard you’ll get more than ten volunteers,” Nheal predicted.

“Then pick the sensible ones,” Jenga suggested, impatiently. “This is a hanging, Captain, not a carnival.”

“My Lord,” the captain replied, saluting with a clenched fist over his heart. He hesitated a moment longer
then added tentatively, “Interesting choice for First Sister, don’t you think, my Lord?”

“I don’t think, Captain,” Jenga told him stiffly. “And neither should you.” He frowned, daring the
younger man to laugh at his rather asinine comment. “I am sure First Sister Mahina will be a wise and fair
leader.”

R’shiel saw through his polite words. Jenga was obviously delighted by Mahina’s appointment. That
augured well for what she had in mind.

“The expression ‘about bloody time’ leaps to mind, actually,” Nheal remarked, almost too softly for
R’shiel to make it out.
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“Don’t overstep yourself, Captain,” Jenga warned. “It is not your place to comment on the decisions of
the Sisterhood. And you might like to tell your brother captains not to overindulge in the taverns tonight.
Remember, until tomorrow, we are still in mourning.”