Read Online From Across the Clouded Range by H. Nathan Wilcox - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: H. Nathan Wilcox
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“You’ve had far more opportunities than most, and I am so
happy that you competed in the games, that you won. They can never
take that away from you. You will always know that you are better
than any boy in this district, but that has to be the end. It is
time to accept the Order, to stop fighting it and become what you
must become.”
Having said her peace, Milne let Teth
go. She shot up like a coiled spring, stepped back, rubbing her
neck and looking like she’d been betrayed. But for once, she was at
a loss for words. Milne sat on the step and let her think, watched
the emotions battle for control of her face as she spun through
each, looking for the one that fit best. “This . . . this is not
how it was supposed to happen,” she finally admitted. “I . . . I
was . . . I . . .”
“ You were what?” Milne
asked. Teth was on the ropes. It killed her, but Milne had to
finish her while she had the chance. “You thought this could go on
forever? That I would never get old? That you would never grow up?
Where did you think it would end, Teth? That some handsome stranger
would come striding out of the forest and say, ‘I’ve always wanted
a wife who can out hunt me?’ This is exactly how it has to end. You
have no friends here, no prospects, you just admitted that a mob
may be hunting you as we speak. If Ipid weren’t protecting you . .
. . You have no future here, and there is nothing else waiting out
there.”
Teth’s face collapsed. Her already red
eyes brimmed with tears. Her hand rose to her mouth. “But why now?
Why Dasen? There has to be someone better, has to be another
way.”
“ It has to be now, because
I am dying,” Milne stated plainly. Teth wailed like a knife had
just entered her gut. “It has to be Dasen because there is no one
better. Everyone in this village knew from the moment of his birth
that your match was part of the Order’s plan. I regret that you were ever taken away from each other. I
begged Ipid to leave Dasen here with me, and he begged Counselor
Torpy to let you live with him, but neither of them could be
swayed.
“ You have read Ipid’s
letters, and I’ve watched you read them. I know exactly when you
read about Dasen. I see how you light up. I know that you still
love him, have never lost that childhood affection. He has taken a
different path from yours, but he is, and always was, a kind and
thoughtful boy. Further, Ipid has promised you every chance: time
to adjust to your new life, a place in one of the world’s most
prestigious universities, a friend to help you along the way. And
don’t be mistaken, that is what Dasen is, your friend, the only one
you have. When you see him, you will realize that he never stopped
being that. Every woman in this world will tell you that is the
best you can ever hope for.
“ And the alternative is
far worse. I never told you, but prior to your father’s death, Ipid
made him a full partner in Ronigan & Galbridge. He has
maintained that division all this time. Your name on the
corporation is not symbolic; half of it belongs to you.”
“ I’m a woman,” Teth
screamed. “I can’t own property. It’s as well the Church owned it
as me.”
“ But that property still
goes with you. Whoever joins you will control it. Do you
understand, Teth? You are the possibly the most valuable match in
the Unified Kingdoms.”
“ I don’t want money. Ipid
can have it if that’s all he wants.”
“ Not Ipid, Tethina. Your
uncle.” Milne gave that a moment to sink in. “When I die, your
custody will shift to him. And he will certainly put an end to your
current life. He has told me that you should be chained to the
hearth until you learn your place. He will break you, Teth. And
then he will sell you like a lot of lumber to the highest bidder.
Instead of joining Dasen, you’ll be joined to someone who wants
half of Ronigan & Galbridge, probably an old man or maybe his
son, but in either case, they won’t care about you, won’t give
happy that you competed in the games, that you won. They can never
take that away from you. You will always know that you are better
than any boy in this district, but that has to be the end. It is
time to accept the Order, to stop fighting it and become what you
must become.”
Having said her peace, Milne let Teth
go. She shot up like a coiled spring, stepped back, rubbing her
neck and looking like she’d been betrayed. But for once, she was at
a loss for words. Milne sat on the step and let her think, watched
the emotions battle for control of her face as she spun through
each, looking for the one that fit best. “This . . . this is not
how it was supposed to happen,” she finally admitted. “I . . . I
was . . . I . . .”
“ You were what?” Milne
asked. Teth was on the ropes. It killed her, but Milne had to
finish her while she had the chance. “You thought this could go on
forever? That I would never get old? That you would never grow up?
Where did you think it would end, Teth? That some handsome stranger
would come striding out of the forest and say, ‘I’ve always wanted
a wife who can out hunt me?’ This is exactly how it has to end. You
have no friends here, no prospects, you just admitted that a mob
may be hunting you as we speak. If Ipid weren’t protecting you . .
. . You have no future here, and there is nothing else waiting out
there.”
Teth’s face collapsed. Her already red
eyes brimmed with tears. Her hand rose to her mouth. “But why now?
Why Dasen? There has to be someone better, has to be another
way.”
“ It has to be now, because
I am dying,” Milne stated plainly. Teth wailed like a knife had
just entered her gut. “It has to be Dasen because there is no one
better. Everyone in this village knew from the moment of his birth
that your match was part of the Order’s plan. I regret that you were ever taken away from each other. I
begged Ipid to leave Dasen here with me, and he begged Counselor
Torpy to let you live with him, but neither of them could be
swayed.
“ You have read Ipid’s
letters, and I’ve watched you read them. I know exactly when you
read about Dasen. I see how you light up. I know that you still
love him, have never lost that childhood affection. He has taken a
different path from yours, but he is, and always was, a kind and
thoughtful boy. Further, Ipid has promised you every chance: time
to adjust to your new life, a place in one of the world’s most
prestigious universities, a friend to help you along the way. And
don’t be mistaken, that is what Dasen is, your friend, the only one
you have. When you see him, you will realize that he never stopped
being that. Every woman in this world will tell you that is the
best you can ever hope for.
“ And the alternative is
far worse. I never told you, but prior to your father’s death, Ipid
made him a full partner in Ronigan & Galbridge. He has
maintained that division all this time. Your name on the
corporation is not symbolic; half of it belongs to you.”
“ I’m a woman,” Teth
screamed. “I can’t own property. It’s as well the Church owned it
as me.”
“ But that property still
goes with you. Whoever joins you will control it. Do you
understand, Teth? You are the possibly the most valuable match in
the Unified Kingdoms.”
“ I don’t want money. Ipid
can have it if that’s all he wants.”
“ Not Ipid, Tethina. Your
uncle.” Milne gave that a moment to sink in. “When I die, your
custody will shift to him. And he will certainly put an end to your
current life. He has told me that you should be chained to the
hearth until you learn your place. He will break you, Teth. And
then he will sell you like a lot of lumber to the highest bidder.
Instead of joining Dasen, you’ll be joined to someone who wants
half of Ronigan & Galbridge, probably an old man or maybe his
son, but in either case, they won’t care about you, won’t give
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