Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
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"Stifle yourself!"<br />
XXVII<br />
Echera-e Lemana, Village of Voryaseretanai, Yeola-e<br />
Dear Echera-e:<br />
I'm really, really sorry, I swear I am, but it's not my fault. I can't come visit you, at least not now. My<br />
adopted mothers decided that the best way home would be <strong>by</strong> ship from Fispur, <strong>and</strong> I don't have any<br />
say in the matter. I protested <strong>and</strong> yelled <strong>and</strong> told them I promised you <strong>and</strong> did all I could, but they just<br />
called it a tantrum <strong>and</strong> wouldn't listen. They say I can visit some other time. As if they could stop me, ha<br />
ha ha.<br />
Shkai'ra didn't get killed, just like I told you she probably wouldn't. Turns out she kind of faked going<br />
missing, to find Lix<strong>and</strong>. Which she did. I know more but I can't tell you because it's a secret, highly<br />
classified, eyes only, for reasons of national security. I guess you know how the war finished, though.<br />
That is, we won. I fought in some more battles, <strong>and</strong> then there was the sack, mine goodness, which I'll<br />
tell you all about when I do visit.<br />
I still love you <strong>and</strong> will forever <strong>and</strong> ever <strong>and</strong> ever <strong>and</strong> ever <strong>and</strong> ever…<br />
Love <strong>and</strong> a million kisses. Sova.<br />
"Have you thought about the choice before you?" Shkai'ra asked the girl.<br />
They leaned on the ship's rail in the pale light of dawn, the sky a deep pink bordered with flame-orange<br />
in the east, the water of the Mitvald a restless purple. To the east, the long forested coast of the Diradic<br />
Tongue, taken back from Arko <strong>by</strong> Laka in this war, lay dark. The wind was just enough to keep the sails<br />
full; except for waves lapping the planks, <strong>and</strong> the cries of seagulls as Fishhook chased them, skimming<br />
the water like a huge bat, there was quiet.<br />
"Of course I have," the Thane-girl said.<br />
"Care to enlighten your mother on your decision?"<br />
"I would if I could. But I have no idea whether she's dead or alive. Here, Hooky-hooky-hooky!"<br />
Shkai'ra spat into the sea.One of thosemoods , she thought. "Your training is too important a matter for<br />
word games, girl."<br />
"So's my ancestry. It's 'adopted mother.' I've thought. I haven't decided."<br />
I'd have fewer wrinkles, Shkai'ra thought,If I'd leftthose two with their ditch-taken pigs of parents .<br />
Her fingers drummed her sword-hilt. "I think I gave you all the necessary advice before I left—shall I run<br />
over it again?"