Border wars book nine of.., p.30
Border Wars: Book Nine of Crystals of Memory, page 30
For the moment.
Anders smiled and nodded a bit, along with the others, not mentioning that portion of things out loud. He strongly doubted that anyone there thought the matter was truly over.
Still, turning to Depak Sona, he grinned.
“This was the last of the new pond and lake system we needed as well. Leaving most of the plains as they were, of course. Then, they have the coastline as well for part of the year, which will hold the Natech well, I hope. Are we to leave tomorrow?” He wasn’t suggesting a rushing away, as much as being bored with the project at hand. It had been simple enough, once everyone was working on the idea. All of the human beings, at least.
The Devica could have done most of the work for them, of course, with much less work or effort than they were putting in. Indeed, any one of them probably could reshape the entire land in no more than a few days. Except that, if there wasn’t going to be a real war, he personally needed to see to the training and exercise of his people. Most of whom were in different locations. Making them harder to train.
Depak smiled.
“Likely that. Prince Naveed and the others are moving now to meet us at the bridge into Modroc. Eltha and Clarisse are coming with a retinue at the same time, to join us there from the other side. Then all of us will travel to Darian’s palace for the weddings.”
That sounded fine, until Salina patted her sister on the back.
Seeming slightly wicked.
“I was surprised on that part. Sulat Mondeth of the Modroc is sending Princess Merdith to be wed to you in Barquea. So, the first two of your wives will be with you inside the next few months, Prince Anders! I know that must be very exciting to you. Then, you’re old enough now for that, in Istlan, aren’t you? Fifteen today? Practically an ancient being already.”
The words, while probably meant to be no more than mild teasing if not to be kind, sent a chill down his spine. A real one, not suited to the fairly brutal heat of the region they were in that day.
Lissa beamed, smiling with genuine glee, for some reason.
So he nodded.
“Close. Most don’t marry until sixteen. Close enough, for royalty, I suppose.” Not that he felt like one of those types at all.
Then, he doubted he ever would, truly.
From inside, a feeling hit him then. One that spoke of change, and growth. It came from Farad, but didn’t have any words of wisdom to go along with it.
So he forced a smile, trying to make it seem real. It wasn’t a bad thing that was about to happen, simply a new one, after all.
“I’ll make ready then. We all should. We can travel at first light.”
Then he walked away, doing exactly that. After all, not preparing for the future wasn’t going to aid him at all.
P.S. Power, Border Wars: Book Nine of Crystals of Memory
