The High Chancellor spins, shoulder-checking both Gulliver and Ellian on his way through the doors.
Gulliver gives us all—well, not Thayla, Rose, or Yemi—a small bow before following along. He misses the sneers we all shoot his way at the disrespect, but Ellian catches it.
“I see now why his fuse is shorter than normal today. I figured it was your spat, Amick, but it’d seem you all came ready to lay down the law.”
“I hardly call our conversation a spat, but this isn’t any other task or role we’ve been assigned. He’s offended that I’m not allowing him to dictate everything that will happen. There’s too much at stake for his ego to be in charge right now.”
Ellian nods as his gaze moves over to Thayla. Her body shifts slightly into a defensive position at his attention. All the Chancellors have put a bad taste in hermouth, so I can’t blame her reaction, but he’s different. I believe she knows that but needs some time to get used to him.
“Ms. Godrun,” Ellian says, tilting his head. “When I told my wife this morning I’d be seeing you, she gave me a proper scolding and told me to apologize for whatever it is that I’ve done to make you wary of me.”
Thayla’s lips slowly curve into a sassy smirk. “I’m waiting.”
He snorts, as do the rest of us. “I apologize for how I came across on your Veiling Day. I swear to you, I’m in your corner.”
She holds his gaze for a long moment before she gives him a small dip of her head. “Thank you. Please tell her she’s my favorite god in Godsden.”
A bright smile lights up his face. I assure you, those two are the only reason in this realm I’ve always believed love is real. They are still sickly in love after all these centuries.
“She’s mine as well. Shall we all go inside? Best not to keep him waiting any longer.”
“Why are you and Gulliver here?” Amick asks as we step inside.
“He told us we’d be assisting you. Seeing as the Plentifuls are who I oversee, I imagine he’s going to assign me to the preparation of a carriage you will be requesting the construction of?”
“That’s correct. I informed him of it and will be taking my building plans to them today.”
“Understood. As for Gulliver, I’m not sure.”
“What Designation does he oversee?” Thayla asks. A low grunt from Creed has her turning her head toward him. “The Defenders?”
“Yep.”
“Ugh, you don’t think he’s going to try to oversee our training, do you?”
“It’d be wise of him not to interfere with my training.”
Yeah, he’s almost back to normal…
We make our way through the Athenaeum wordlessly. By the time we reach the nook where Amick usually has orientees and new Guiders meet him, the High Chancellor is standing behind the podium, tapping his finger. Ellian veers off to stand behind him as we all move to stand in front of him.
“Let us not waste any more time, seeing as you all have forgotten how to be punctual. Amick, I have informed the Chancellors of your two-week time frame for departure and your plan to have a carriage built that will accommodate your team. Inform us of your plan, the purposes behind them, and the gods you’ve assembled.”
“Yes, we’ll leave in two weeks. The time from now until then will be spent on research as well as physical and power training. Our team will consist of my Valtrue, Yemi, Lambrit, Rose, and our Escort, Havar Andino. Each will play an intricate role in our success.
“We need a carriage constructed large enough to fit all of us. Which will require two Veilatara to pull. We’ll identify the two based on the Prime Veilatara’s recommendation and permission. Starshooting everywhere isn’t feasible. We’ll need the ability to converse, rest, and regroup. I anticipate us to take the entirety of the six weeks remaining in our two-month deadline to search the realm.”
“I understand your need for the carriage, although the ungodly beings of the realm should be honored to house you. I suppose none of the Chancellors’ carriages will be large enough for all of you, nor the ones for Chosens. As for your choice of Escorts, I fear you are choosing poorly. There are many who are more experienced and more motivated for a task as important as this. I will have to take your choice of him into consideration.”
I gently grip Thayla’s hand the second her mouth opens. I understand her desire to defend Havar, and indirectly Yemi, but now isn’t the time. If she jumps down his throat in front of everyone, he’ll pull more shit like this at every turn.
“My next topic of discussion is protection. I will be assigning Defenders to join you on your journey.”
“No.” Creed’s one-word response has the temperature in the room nearly freezing. His deadly glare stays pinned on the High Chancellor’s.
“You will be too distracted with your task at hand to properly watch your own backs as well as the godly relic once you locate it. It is wise to have additional help.”
“I won’t be distracted as my role is solely to defend my Valtrue, the gods accompanying us, and the godly relic. I’m all we need.”
