Asunder: A Gathering of Chaos by Cameron Hopkin (children's ebooks free online .txt) 📕

the mention of sickness. “I sent Renna after a plague ship… is that who you are? The plague ship survivor? You shouldn’t stand so close, Madam Sycara. I don’t know if Naga can catch human plagues, but I don’t think you want to find out.”

“Thank you for your concern, daughter of Gaia, but I think she is well,” purred the Naga, running her hands up and down Nira’s arms, taking the feel of her. “There is no one part of her that is too much warmer than the rest, as is usual when your folk fall ill, nor are her extremities cold.” She grasped her by the hands, inspecting them closely. Nira was too petrified to pull away even though her skin was crawling. The creature’s attentions were halfway between what one might give to a lover and what one might give to a meal. “If anything, she seems… healthier than the rest of you. More here. There is an electricity about her.”

“Electricity,” interrupted the merchant woman, leaning forward hungrily. “You’ve said that word before. Won’t you tell us what it means?”

The Naga waved her question away with an impatient flip of the hand. “Later, I’ve told you.” She took Nira by the shoulders and lifted her to her feet, elevating her serpentine half so she stayed at eye level with her. “Speak, my dear. Tell us your story. Why have you graced us with your warmth?”

She licked her lips and looked around the room uneasily. These are most powerful people in Far East, and they’re having secret meetings with the enemy of all humanity. I don’t think they’ll let me leave this place alive. The closed faces around her gave weight to the thought. None of them wanted her here. She was a problem to be understood and then eliminated. I almost got away! That was a lie, though – the Naga had been trailing her curiously the whole time. The freedom she’d felt had been an illusion. She glanced over to Renna, who was staring at her intently as if she could communicate her desires and directions without speech. Sorry, Mistress, I don’t hear a thing. And I wouldn’t help you anyways. This is all your fault.

Taking a deep breath, she said. “The Weaver lady brought me, like you said. She wanted me to meet the Governor. We didn’t know, we never intended… well. She broke into your house,” she said to the lord of the city, who quirked an eyebrow at the news, “and when she didn’t find you in your room, she dragged me down your hidden staircase and wouldn’t let me leave. She threatened to kill me if I disobeyed. I’m so sorry. I want nothing to do with any of this, please. I would never have bothered any of you. I’m so sorry.”

“She’s sorry,” breathed the Naga, staring at her. “Delicious.”

“And why,” asked the Governor in his mellow, ringing voice, “was she willing to break all sorts of laws and probably get you both killed just to have you meet me in the middle of the night?”

Her mind raced. They’ll never believe me. And if I say anything about the Pure Light, they’ll string me up – that’s what Renna said. Was she lying? Why would she lie about that? Give them something else. Make it her fault. “I… I think she wanted me to s-seduce you, sir. Sire. My lord.”

There was a moment of silence, and then the humans burst out laughing. All except for Renna, who stared daggers at her. She blushed at their response, her face burning even hotter than before.

The Governor was laughing hardest of all. “Gaia’s tits, girl,” he chuckled, “I like my women to look like women, not like little boys.” He sized her up as if buying livestock. “Do you have some secret of love that makes you irresistible? Something amazing hidden under those rags?” The General snorted, and the two women at the table pursed their lips, looking at nothing.

Nira tried to find her voice. “I don’t know what she was thinking, my lord. I tried to resist, but she threatened me.” He’s not so handsome. Dirty old bastard.

He rose and strode over to Renna, plucking the gag from her mouth. “Now I’m curious. How in the name of the sacred earth did you expect this little girl to catch me?” Nira stiffened. She hadn’t thought that they’d ask Renna to confirm her story. Well, you’ve just lied your way into a hanging. Masterfully done, stupid.

The priestess took a moment to lick her lips and spit the fibers of the cloth gag from her tongue. Her eyes were calculating as she looked from Nira to the Governor. Finally she spoke. “It was a gamble, my lord,” she said flatly. “It may not be apparent at the moment, but the girl has a way about her. I hoped she would gain your favor if she crept into your room.” Nira sagged in relief. She had no idea why the scheming old witch was going along with her story, but she wasn’t going to complain about it.

The Governor looked to Megda. “I thought the upper classes of your priesthood had to be intelligent,” he said dubiously. The little old Hand spread her hands helplessly, pained and embarrassed. Turning back to Renna, he said bluntly, “That’s got to be the most ill-conceived plan I’ve ever heard of. What did you hope to accomplish?”

Gritting her teeth, Renna responded in what she likely thought was a submissive tone. In truth, it sounded as if she was trying to digest rocks. “I wanted you to sponsor the research that Mother Megda has prevented me from completing. The girl was going to suggest it to you after a few successful trysts.”

“Oh, Renna,” sighed the Mother Weaver. “You know the side effects of your enhancement plants were simply too dangerous. If you’d just leave those foul blood hybrids alone…! I wouldn’t let you work on that anymore if the Handmaid herself asked it.”

The Naga