Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) by Jonathan Michael (best ebook for manga txt) 📕

her eyes change from a pale green to a soft blue, then the wound mends itself slowly and steadily in only a few clicks. The deep cut disappears from her hand. No scar and only a bit of blood residue. Fairview is a Shaman.

“Now you know my secret,” she says apprehensively. “One of them anyways.” She winks with a sly grin.

“How do you know if you’re a Graft? Is there some way to test it? So, you know how to resurrect life? What else can you do?” I fail to take a breath between questions. This newly acquired information has my mind spinning in place without any traction to move forward. So many questions. In only a matter of moments, she has shed new light on who we are and the potential we have. We are capable of so much more than what we’re all led to believe.

“One question at a time please.” She gives me a motherly smile. One brought forth from the heart. “Yes, I do know how to resurrect, but it’s not truly resurrection. It is merely healing the body before life is completely extinguished. True resurrection is beyond anyone’s capabilities.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“For what?”

“For resurrecting Zoie.”

“Ah…it wasn’t me this time. That girl is always testing her limits. I knew one of these days I wouldn’t be around to help, so I taught her a few techniques. That’s what the bark chrysalis is for. That, and it makes for a formidable armor if you craft it right.”

“So, is there a way to test yourself to see if you’re a Graft?” I ask again.

“I could impale you with my blade and see if you survive.” Her somberness behind the remark is chilling, but then again, she has proven to be a little eccentric at times.

“Umm…no, thank you.”

“I see…well, you’d likely know if you were by now. Like with your Sprhowt talents, you’d have some unintentional happenings with other talents if you were capable of it.”

“So, is this the knowledge of the Old Races Graytu spoke of?”

“Hardly. This is merely collusion at its best, keeping the strong and powerful on top—where they feel entitled to be—by limiting the knowledge shared amongst the masses. Unfortunately, it works. And gets the rest of us to bow to our knees. But the knowledge of the Old Races is not why you are here. What is it you’re in search of? What is it that’s so important to travel hundreds of leagues and brave a guardian ape for?”

I stare at her blankly for a moment. She rocks slowly in her chair, waiting patiently for a response. I ponder her question. I thought I came here for her wisdom, the knowledge of the Old Races as Graytu put it, but I really don’t know if that will help me or not. And I thought I wanted to overthrow the Taoiseach, but there is no passion there. I want to put an end to a world of tyrants, but I don’t know if assassinating the Taoiseach is the path that needs to be taken. So much knowledge in front of me, and I don’t know what questions to ask of her. “How can I overthrow the Taoiseach?” I ask the question, regardless, and feel rather juvenile afterward.

Fairview’s eyes narrow. “What makes you worthy of such knowledge? And what makes you believe I have that knowledge to share? That isn’t the question you want to ask. Is it?”

“There you go again, responding with more questions.”  I throw my hands in the air. “You’re the oldest human on this moon, are you not? And you’re bound to have knowledge, or at least a hint at how it can be done. Even Graytu admits you have wisdom of the Old Races.” I stretch my legs out then lean back on my hands, getting more comfortable. It may take more time than desired to get answers out of her.

“First, you have no proof I’m the oldest person alive. As far as you know, I’ve only been around for twenty-nine seasons.”

She shoots me a wink and a flirtatious grin. I had thought we got past that, but apparently not.

“Second, pardon my damned riddles, but I must ask another important question.”

I roll my eyes at her but nod in agreement.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes,” I reply assertively, but I shake my head. “It’s absolutely what I want.”

Her head cocks to the side with half her face scrunched.

“What? It’s what I want. I’m sure of it.” It’s why I came here. To figure out a way to gain my freedom and the freedom of my family for good. No more running. I must take a stance and fight.

“Even without understanding the consequences that could come of it?”

“Yes.”

Fairview interlaces her fingers and places them on her lap. Her expression morose. “You believe this will create balance, but your destructive intentions are only adding to a power already tipping the scale. Man’s opinion fluctuates regularly. That opinion morphs into change, good or bad, from a man’s determination or pigheadedness. Change is inevitable, you see, and sparks from strong emotions. But it is a man’s will that sees it through. Goose…your opinion on this matter is set from a past event. Look deeper. I implore you. Are you determined or pigheaded?” She doesn’t taunt. Her words are sincere. “Be sure you have the will to follow your emotions, or the result will not be what you desire. With that, I will ask once again, do you want to overthrow the Taoiseach?”

“I…” I want to rid this world of tyranny. But if I do, there will be others to fill that gap. It’s not good enough. “I…” I stroke my fingers through my hair and look out across the treetop village. Graytu frolics about the organic catwalks, Zoie by his side taking jabs at him.