Duty (Book 2) by Brian Fuller Page A

Gen immediately recognized her—Maewen Birchwood, daughter of Samian. So powerful were the desires and memories of the man who had shared so much of himself with him, that Gen had to exert all his control to keep from running up to the woman and gushing a hundred things Samian wanted to tell her. Gen wasn’t sure how he would ever be able to do justice to what the man had felt for her, but knew he would have to try sooner or later.
    With effort he turned his attention elsewhere, noticing the Dark Guard placed strategically around the room, though the apprentices were nowhere to be seen. Many other officers of the castle guard were present as well, and Regent Ogbith permitted them to mingle and celebrate with the crowd. After several minutes Fenna entered and squeezed his arm.
    “They don’t know you’re here yet, do they?” she whispered. Gen answered by putting his finger to his lips. Fenna's expression turned mischievous and she mounted the dais.
    “Don’t you dare!” he said to no avail and watched as Fenna went and whispered in the ear of the First Mother. Mirelle squinted into the shadows and smiled at him, excusing herself from the table. Rather than come to him, Fenna and Mirelle headed out into the crowd, the Chalaine watching them as they walked away. To his dismay, he saw them find the Chamberlain by the door. Mirelle threaded her way back to the table, Regent Ogbith and her daughter questioning her as she sat. Fenna went to stand by an older man and woman whom Gen guessed were the Regent and Lady Fairedale.
    After the First Mother sat down and the curiosity of the table was fully aroused, the herald slammed his staff onto the granite floor with three deafening taps, silencing the music and quieting the crowd.
    “Chalaine, Ha’Ulrich, First Mother, Gentlemen and Gentlewomen, it is with the greatest pleasure that I direct your attention to the front of the room and present Gen, protector of the Chalaine, Dark Guard, Defender of the Faith, Demon's Bane, and newest Lord of the Realm. We thank Eldaloth for his recovery and exult in his return to service.”
    Reluctantly, Gen stepped from the shadows and raised his arm in salute. The thunderous applause nearly bowled him over. Raucous cheers and even singing broke out. Everyone stood, even a mostly unwilling Chertanne, and clapped.
    Gen kept his face smooth, glancing about to find Fenna beaming. Gen resolved to ask her what had happened over the last few weeks. Only after he gave another wave to the crowd and sunk back into the shadows did the noise die down and the celebration continue. He noticed Chertanne staring daggers at him, but the Pontiff descending the dais blocked the view. Gen inclined his head as he approached.
    “It is good to see that you have at last recovered, young man. You gave us a good scare.”
    “It is good to return, Holiness.”
    “Yes. As you can see, it has done much to lift the spirit of the people. For that, you are an invaluable ally to the purposes of Eldaloth in these troubled times. I shall speak with you again soon. Not many live to hear Mikkik’s voice and survive unscathed. I would know more of the demon and your struggle with its poison that some provision might be prepared against them.”
    “As you wish.”
    “Bless you, my son.”
    Gen couldn’t help wondering what it would do for the spirit of the people if they found out he was really the Ilch, should it prove to be true. He still couldn’t accept it.
    He settled back to watch the Chalaine who was signaling for Fenna to come forward. Once she did, the First Mother, the Chalaine, and Fenna came to him, cornering him in the recess.
    The Chalaine bowed formally to him, but Mirelle embraced him warmly . “It is good to see you well, Gen.”
    “Thank you, First Mother.”
    “So,” Mirelle continued, “what do you think of your new titles?”
    “Demon's Bane, I’m afraid, is a little much. Demon's Fodder would be more accurate. Titles don’t suit me well, and