Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
“Don’t be foolish,” Alithia says in a warm voice. “You must be famished. I’ve heard that anyone serving the gods as their tether must eat all the time. Allow us to tend to your needs.”
A protest forms on my lips, but before I can speak, my stomach growls. Flushing, I manage a nod, and she bustles off.
Kalos thumps into the seat across from mine, stretching out his long legs. “They’re going to ‘honor’ us until we go mad with it, just so you know.”
I groan. “I’m starting to realize that.”
Priestess Alithia returns a few minutes later with a tray of food and a carafe of wine. My stomach growls anew at the sight of the apple slices, cheese wedges, and savory tarts that are piled atop the tray. There’s crusty bread with a pot of honey and butter in the shape of a rose. “Our food is simple, I’m afraid. If we had known we’d be serving the god’s Anchor, we’d have prepared something far more spectacular. Priestess Jifa is our cook and she’s distressed that this won’t be pleasing to you.”
“It looks delicious,” I tell her, and snag one of the tarts. Thick gravy oozes out. I take a bite. Heaven. “You’re very kind to feed us.”
Her eyes go wide. “We are doing our sacred duty! Truly, we are honored that a god should come and visit.” She glances over at Kalos again, and seeing no friendliness on his face, turns her attention to me once more. “If I may be so nosy…”
“Can we stop you?” Kalos asks, bored.
She flushes, but continues, staring at her ring-adorned hands. “Might I ask what Aspect we are honored with? Or is that too bold?”
Kalos doesn’t answer.
I glance over at him as I chew, and he gestures at me with a roll of his eyes, indicating that I can speak on his behalf. I debate on the truth or not, then decide the truth can’t hurt. “He’s Apathy.”
Her eyes go wide. “Oh my. I thought…I thought Apathy would be more…well…” She trails off.
“I’m trying very, very hard to be a good boy,” Kalos replies in a dry voice.
“I see.” Priestess Alithia considers this. “Is there anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable, my lord? Anything at all?”
“You can get the book for us.” He crosses his arms over his chest.
Alithia smiles. “Of course. Once your Anchor has finished eating, we’ll bring it out. We like to be careful that none of our books get stained or dirtied. You know how it is.”
It makes sense. I cringe every time I see a smudge on one of Omos’s beloved books, because each page represents hours of painstaking work that no one seems to appreciate. I eat a little faster, but the food is incredible. We get simple things at Omos’s home, but he’s careful to make his supplies stretch as far as possible so he can feed all that cross his doorstep.
They have no such compunction here. As I finish off the apple slices, another priestess comes in with a plate of jam-filled cookie sandwiches, and tiny tarts with candied nuts on the top. I eat one of everything, and it’s all so good that I continue eating. Priestess Alithia continues to make small talk as I chew. She tries to engage Kalos in conversation, but he ignores her and gazes out the window, clearly only here for my benefit.
It leaves me to chat with our hostess between bites.
Yes, we’ve met another Aspect or two.
No, we didn’t originally meet here, we met at one of his temples. No, I’m not from there. I’m from…elsewhere. I don’t say where.
No, I don’t know how many aspects are left or how much longer the anticipation will go on. (I lie about that, just because I’m not stupid.)
No, I haven’t met Belara’s Aspect.
No, we’re not upset that Kalos has no temple in Eagleton.
No, I don’t need new dresses or shoes from them. No, we don’t need coin.
Our hostess is so gracious and sweet and concerned for our well-being that I don’t realize just how much I’m eating until another priestess clears away the now-empty trays. I lick my fingers clean and finish the last of the wine, my stomach hurting from being pleasantly full. “That was marvelous. Thank you so much.”
“But of course. We are honored to serve someone chosen by the gods.” She gestures that another person should enter, and this time it’s a young priestess with a rose-petal-strewn finger bowl and towels.
I wash my hands in the bowl, yawning at how sleepy I am now.
“May I ask another question, if it pleases you both?” Priestess Alithia asks. “I do hate to pry but I cannot help but be curious. What are your plans?”
“Plans?” I ask, stifling another yawn.
She nods, gaze curious. “Once you’ve completed your great book. What will you do next? Do you intend to wait out the Anticipation? Or will you confront my lord Kalos’s missing aspects?”