Rite of Exile: The Silent Tempest, Book 1 by E. J. Godwin Page B

forward, grappled with her as if wresting something away from her hands, then leaped up with fists raised in victory as Heradnora collapsed in a heap.
    “Is that Grondolos?” Caleb Stenger whispered, leaning in, and she nodded. Then he noticed Warren sleeping on her lap.
    His eyes locked onto hers, an intense longing she had never seen in him before. It stripped away all her defenses. She blushed and faced the stage again, feeling much more exposed than when she stood shirtless on Sonién for all to see.
    The dancers lifted their hero onto their shoulders, and marched in triumph into the shadows to the right. The man who first appeared emerged with his fists held high, just as Grondolos had done. The audience rose to a stand. Telai remained seated, unwilling to wake the child. Yet she joined in the final chant, her voice ringing as one with the others:
    Feru a yentré gidas ksatré kya!
    The attendants rekindled the lamps along the wall, and the crowd filtered out of their seats. Caleb Stenger reached over to jiggle his son awake, and Warren sat blinking in the light before struggling to his feet.
    Telai followed, only to drop to her seat again with a groan. Her leg had fallen asleep. She rubbed her thighs, then lifted a hand at a dark blotch on her trousers.
    Caleb Stenger wiped the lingering drool from Warren’s mouth. “Twice in one day,” he said, winking at her.

6
    Firefly
    Too often are we blind to the path of contentment;
    too often do we let the promise of our lives slip away.
    - from Besir Orand’iteé
    CALEB FOLLOWED , Warren at his side, as Telai led the way at a relaxed pace along the cobblestone streets. The fine summer evening had already erased the lingering effects of his Judgment, and now the prospect of what was sure to be a delightful meal with an equally delightful hostess consumed his every thought.
    After a few confusing turns and branching side streets they reached a long, single-story building of reddish stone and tall windows on the left, which Telai identified as Gerentesk. She lived two houses farther on, an exquisitely crafted place, with a second-story balcony overshadowed by towering oaks.
    They followed Telai up the short stone path to the porch, where she opened the engraved wooden doors without preamble. Lamps hanging by fine silver chains softly illuminated the small foyer beyond.
    “I need to take care of something,” she said, and gestured toward the middle of three archways. “You can wait in the atrium if you like.” She disappeared through the arch to the left.
    Caleb stepped into the large, square room dominating the center of the house, drawn by his curiosity. Warren followed, scanning the decor. A balcony similar to the one outside ran along the perimeter; banners, rich with the scenes of what he assumed were historical events, hung from a railing engraved with ancient verse. Larger versions of the lamps in the foyer warmed the paneled walls.
    Such obvious evidence of Telai’s prestige was starting to bewilder him when he heard the approach of soft footsteps.
    She stood near the archway wearing a short-sleeved, aquamarine gown, and a pale emerald on a silver necklace. He gaped at her like a schoolboy, spellbound by her transformation from cultural guide to stunning beauty. Why she hadn’t captured another man’s heart by now was beyond his comprehension.
    “Thank you for your company, Caleb Stenger and Warren,” she said, as if greeting them for the first time.
    Her polite manner was no less charming than her beauty, and Caleb readily assumed the role of honored guest. “Pleased to be here. I must say you look—well, your dress—um,” he stammered, his face burning. “Anyway, it’s pretty,” he finally managed.
    Telai beamed, and stepped forward to offer Warren her hand. “I’ve got something for you. Interested?”
    The boy nodded eagerly, and Telai led him over to a long, narrow table against the left-hand wall. Caleb followed, wondering how Warren could