Total pages in book: 208
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
Farah was staring at Silence.
I was doing the same.
“But he will be the greatest king Wodell has ever known,” Silence said fiercely. “And he will be because of this. Because he takes the hand of a farmer, he feels the callouses, and he knows the toil. Because he watches the ribbon weaving of the Day of Alabasta, the smiles on the children’s faces, and he understands a day of rest needs to be proclaimed across the kingdom so his people can rejoice. Because, Farah, when he arrives home after a battle, he does not send lieutenants to share of the fallen. He travels Wodell with his men and he tells wives and mothers this news himself, he understands their suffering and it makes an indelible mark on his soul.”
“Dear gods,” Farah whispered.
“I didn’t know he did that,” I said.
“He does,” Silence confirmed. “A man who is like that, I do not know.” She shook her head sadly. “What I do know is that True needs to be needed. The only healing I suspect he can feel is to know he is helping someone. That they not only wish his presence but need it. Need him. Need True. Not Prince True of Wodell. True Axelsson, a good man, a kind man. And although, if it was in my power to give back to you what you have lost, I would do so, I suspect now, and it should be noted, every day in your futures together, you would be doing all you can simply needing him to be with you.”
“I suspected this too,” Farah said. “The weight of it seems to leave him when he feels useful.”
Silence gave her a small smile. “Your instinct is right. And as such, I would not question it in future. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”
“It doesn’t seem like much,” Farah noted.
“Perhaps, but for True it would be everything,” Silence replied.
“Is he…Mars is…” Farah took in a deep breath and let it out, saying. “Mars is revered in Firenze, as his father was. He is strong, and he is sure in his vision for our realm. The improvements King Ares began, and Mars continues, have made life much better for those who had very little before. Which makes those who had very much not so happy. But I believe they are coming to understand that if Mars carries the hearts of the common, they must learn to adjust, for their number is much smaller. Every coup attempt against Mars has been taken quite badly by the people, and they have been hard to control in their desires to rise up against those who wish our realm taken back to tyranny. And the assassination of Ares caused such grief across the land, I do not think even now, years later, they have recovered. It is only Mars’s continued and resolute campaign to carry on his father’s work that heartens them. This land…Wilmer…his counsel…and, well…me, a Firenz. I do not know. It is much different here, and it troubles me. It troubles me for me, and it troubles me for True.”
When she was done, Silence gave her a bright smile and declared, “I am most pleased you travel our realm with True. For you will see.” Her smile got bigger. “You will see.”
“I’ll see what?” Farah asked.
“You will see he is not revered,” I chimed in.
Farah looked alarmed.
“He’s beloved,” Silence shared.
The alarm fled, and Farah’s lips parted.
“He has but to look upon you with adoration and respect, which he already does, and the Dellish will adore you, Farah. Do not fear,” Silence urged. “Aunt Mercy and Uncle Wilmer, my mother and father too, they are not like True, and the people of Wodell know it. He is of royal blood, ’tis true. But he is of them, and they know that too.” Silence got closer to Farah. “And Mercy should heed that. You are from Firenze, but you could be from the moon, and if True wanted you, the people of Wodell would want you too.”
“Truly?” Farah asked.
Silence nodded. “Truly.” She smiled again. “And truly, I love this for you. You will have a grand and wonderous adventure, Farah, after all you’ve endured. And True will be thrilled he is the one who gets to give it to you.”
“I had looked forward to this, for True seemed keen to have it, but I now look forward to it all the more,” Farah said, moving them all so they’d start walking again.
“You should. The home of my birth is charming and second only to The Enchantments in being filled with magic,” Silence told her. “With True as your guide, you have no hope but to fall in love.”
“I already find it very beautiful,” Farah decreed.
I looked to my right to see Wallace and Luther both walking, and scanning, but their backs were straighter, their chests more puffed out.