“I imagine a lot of that comes from the way you've been training secretly. They doubtless feel deceived.”
I sighed. “It's hard to know how to handle this. What Death's offering makes sense and it could be the key to ending the war. Part of me wonders if this is what I need to make me strong enough to help all of you defeat the Corrupter.”
“And what of the rest of you?” Rontor asked.
“The rest of me isn't so sure.” I frowned. “The Emperor says his heart tells him Death is deceiving me. He believes it's the Goddess guiding him to that conclusion.”
“And you disagree?”
“I don't know,” I whispered. “I've been raised to judge people by their actions, and Death's actions have been good.”
“Death is not a person.”
“Isn't he? What makes a person? Is it not higher thinking? Consciousness? If it makes you feel better, call him an entity, but I think of Death as a person. I judge him not merely by his words but also by his actions.”
“That is wise, Ember. But I fear that doesn't apply to this situation. Death is a non-physical entity. We have no idea what is motivating him. Has he acted against the Corrupter? In small ways, perhaps. But if he is so powerful, why doesn't he cut the Corrupter off from Death Magic?”
“He says magic cannot be withdrawn like that. It is available to all with the ability to control it.”
Rontor nodded. “That makes sense.” He shrugged. “It is your decision. If the Emperor has agreed, I will not stop you. Just be wary of the entity that calls itself a god.”
“Yes, General.”
“And good luck, Ember.”
“Thank you, Sir,” I said and stood up with my men.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Vardan didn't sit with us at dinner that night. The other Lords who usually joined us were there, though. I was a little irritated about Vardan, but I hadn't been fully ready to start anything with him anyway. So, I suppose that decided it for me.
And then Taroc sat down beside me. Well, beside Kel, who was on my right. We all stared at him in shock.
“Hey, Taroc,” Nex said. “Been a while since you ate with us. We've missed you.”
Taroc nodded to Nex, then looked at my men and me. “You've upset a lot of Lords. But I understand why you didn't make it common knowledge. It's not right to punish you for doing what you thought was right.” Then he started to eat.
We continued to stare at him.
Finally, Rath cleared his throat and said, “Thank you for your support, Taroc.”
“Hey, you wanna trade seats with me?” Kel offered.
My heart leapt.
“No,” Taroc said and kept eating.
My heart plummeted.
An awkward silence fell for a few minutes. Nex, of course, was the one to break it.
“So, I heard the Corrupted tried to carry you off today, Ember,” Nex said.
“What?” Taroc growled.
“So, the rumors are focused on my training with Death Magic and not the important stuff?” I asked Taroc.
Taroc narrowed his eyes at me. “Tell me.”
