Chapter 474
Striding through my city this time, I didn’t show any hurry like I had when I’d worried about Sybil‘s safety. Maybe Nievtala would have some complaints about that, but I couldn’t bring myself to care if I arrived a few minutes later than she preferred. For now, my people were recovering from yet another round of siege, and everything that I knew pointed to the fact that it would only get bloodier and costlier by the day. They deserved to see me walking confidently through the streets, unworried about everything more than the immortal goddess in my head needed me to stand in her temple right this moment.
“Get some rest,” I said to an injured alpha that’d excitedly jumped out to me when I walked by. “You’ll be back on the wall tomorrow, I’m sure. For now, the uninjured will take your place on the walls. If anything else happens tonight, though, no one will tell you not to get back on the wall.”
She bared her teeth in pride and stepped back. Some of her subordinates walked with her, and she walked with pride. Another walked forward, and, though many of my people were beginning to wear open chested robes in an approximation of what I myself did, I could tell by the cut of his robe that he was a member of the priesthood, the Unbroken Blade.
“My Zaaktif,” he said, bowing to me, “I was told to escort you to the temple. Shraal has received a vision and requires your presence.”
“I’m aware,” I said, flaring my frills. “I’m on my way. However, I am seeing to my people first.”
The priest bowed to me, though I did see some measure of confusion in his bearing as he accepted my words.
“You’re wondering why I’m not going immediately to hear the words of our goddess, correct?” I asked.
“I would never dare to question your authority.” He seemed terrified at the thought of showing me disrespect, but I waved off the nervousness as I was correct about his worries.
“It’s not a bad question. After all, the goddess has requested my presence at the temple. However, the temple and our worship of Nievtala would not continue to exist without all of the defenders who have braved the walls and defended them against the heretics who would purge us. If we faltered, the Misti Hawar wouldn't hesitate to eradicate the worship of Nievtala from the world, if they had the opportunity. If I were to ignore those who are willing to bleed and die for me, I wouldn’t be much of a leader.”