Heart of Black Ice (Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles Book 4)
Page 53
The messenger nudged his horse forward, slowly leaving them behind as he rode through the square to continue spreading his news. He called over his shoulder, “I will depart in the morning. You may follow me, but I will not pamper you.”
Nathan chuckled. “Oh, young man, we do not need pampering.”
Nicci’s expression tightened. She felt hardened inside and knew that her work here in the Old World was not done. Richard had dispatched her and Nathan to spread the word of the D’Haran Empire, to let the world know that tyrants and despots and slavery would no longer be tolerated. Richard counted on her to crush them before they became too great a threat.
“We still have work to do, Nathan,” she told him. “And you have a whole new life book to fill.”
He nodded. “You are indeed correct, Sorceress.” They watched the haughty messenger depart, already making their plans. “We should prepare for another journey.”
“And another fight.”
The wizard hesitated as he looked down to the harbor. They could see the krakener ship setting sails, ready to drift out to sea with the evening tide. “I planned ahead, my dear Sorceress.” He reached into the vest that covered his ruffled shirt and pulled out a folded sheaf of papers. “I wrote a lengthy letter to Richard, and General Zimmer promised to dispatch a courier to ride north and deliver it to the People’s Palace. It tells Richard everything he needs to know about what we’ve been up to.” He arched his eyebrows. “Would you like to read it?”
Nicci accepted the letter, along with a lead stylus in case she needed to make notes. She skimmed the pages of stories that Nathan had written about their adventures, expecting that he would make himself into a legendary hero while portraying Nicci and Bannon as his faithful companions. Instead, she was surprised to see that the focus was on her own actions, making Nicci out to be the savior of the Old World.
Nicci handed the letter back to him. “It seems adequate. Remember, I came with you in the first place because Richard was sure you needed watching.”
Nathan made a noncommittal sound as he scribbled a note at the very end before sealing the letter packet.
“What was that?” Nicci asked.
“A mere postscript to reassure Richard.”
“Reassure him in what way?”
He tucked the letter back into his vest. “Merely a promise that I will keep watch over you, because no matter what you think, you still need watching . . . with or without the New Imperial Order. You can’t save the world on your own.”
“I am not alone,” Nicci said, and realized it was true. The idea was suddenly strange to her, given her past, her time under the thumb of her stern mother, serving the Keeper as a Sister of the Dark or crusading for the Imperial Order. All of that was behind her forever. Nicci was stronger, better, braver. Those who wished to harm the world didn’t have a chance.
She looked at Nathan, then drew her gaze across the bustling city of Tanimura, the forested hills, and the entire Old World beyond. She had no idea what sort of threat Emperor Argus or the New Imperial Order would pose, but she—they—would deal with it, no matter what.
“No,” she repeated, “I am not alone.”
About the Author
Terry Goodkind is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. His Sword of Truth series has sold over 20 million copies. Before writing full-time, Terry worked as a wildlife artist, a cabinetmaker and a violin maker. He writes thrillers as well as epic fantasy and lives in the desert in Nevada.
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