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Page Count - 248
From "The Harp & Sword Chronicles"...
With his beloved Prince Stephen facing certain execution, Thaddeus must find a means to exonerate him in the eyes of the people and the Dolens. There is only one way: a fight to the death with the one who accused Stephen of treason - Lieutenant Riqka. However, it will require of him something he is unable to give - faith in the Gods for deliverance, for without their blessing there is no way to win, not even with his cursed Rage.
But it is unclear where the Gods stand regarding Stephen of Murgatara. Signs indicate they want Stephen dead, but also indicate they want him alive. Unable to put his trust in the suspiciously indecisive Gods, Thaddeus turns his back on them, relying instead on his skills as a warrior, and in his love for Stephen, for the victory. But by turning his back on the Gods, will he only succeed in sentencing both himself and Stephen to death?
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Soul Storm: Part 2 - Passion's Chill
Signing their death warrants?
"In order for us to bless the victor in the Rite of Innocence by Blood, that man must place his faith in the Aggregate. Without that act of trust, we cannot bless," Rantha explained.
"Why suddenly do you care where my faith rests?"
"Because of your lineage. You are our child. We have come here with Ranor's blessing to discover the answer to that exact question," He'lon said.
"Suddenly now I'm your child," Thaddeus said. The words were cold, as was the feeling behind them.
"You were never there for my mother. You didn't intervene on her behalf when the Legion guard Fenten raped her and mutilated her flesh. Where were the Gods when my family was butchered under your own decree? I watched the Legion soldiers slaughter my family and friends. Were it not for Jetar, I, too, would have been on that death list."
"Yes, Avoren, we know," Rantha said. Thaddeus almost sensed a hint of sorrow to the God's reply. Almost.
"Where were you when Terahn was taken from me, murdered in front of my eyes, his blood flowing against my body? Where were you when the Piper and his Verma horde raped and tortured me? Where were you when I was cursed by the mist of light? I'll tell you where you were. Nowhere! Not once did I experience any hint that you even acknowledged my existence! And now you say I am your child? Now you ask me to put my trust in you?"
He pointed to Stephen. "My faith rests in him and him alone! His love, his connection to me has proven the one constant in my life when all the other loves I've cherished were stolen from me! When the Gods turned their backs on me! It was his memory that kept me sane, his music that touched my soul and gave me something beautiful in all the bloodshed that came that night and all the nights thereafter!"
Rantha and He'lon just stood there. "Come, Rantha, we have heard all we needed to hear." She glanced back to Thaddeus. "You believe you are on your own, that you can survive without us. The coming battle will prove if you are right."
And in a moment they both faded from his sight. The cell became dark and cold once again.
Thaddeus swallowed. He turned to Stephen who slept peacefully on, resting in his faith in Thaddeus.
Had Thaddeus just sealed Stephen's fate by turning his back on the Gods who could very well bless him as the victor in the arena?
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