Despite the Angels by Madeline A Stringer Read Free Book Online Page A

though, don’t they?” Trynor laughed, “But we shouldn’t have let our pleasure, our confidence in Alessia and Danthys stop us discussing this, we should have shared the design!”
    “I was enjoying the contest. I still have a strong human streak, don’t you? Even if you were only a human once it must be in there.”
    “So there will be two ceremonies, one at dawn on midwinter’s day as usual, and one at dusk. I will use one cup in the morning and the king will close the day with the other.” The queen turned to Rasifi and Bullneck and her gaze swept over everyone in the two family groups, as she gave the tiniest of bows. “I thank you all for your participation. Your rewards will arrive tomorrow.” She turned and swept out of the arena, followed by the king and both retinues.
    Back in the courtyard, there was much laughter and teasing and excitement that both families would be paid for their work and neither cup would have to be melted down. They were all frustrated that they could not examine the two cups more clearly, to see how they had differed. Voices were raised as opinions were given.
    “Alessia and Danthys know.” No one was sure who had spoken, but all eyes turned to where Alessia and Danthys were sitting. Alessia blushed.
    “Yes, you had better both explain,” said Bullneck, “You suggested the idea to me, Danthys.”
    “And you to me, Alessia,” said Rasifi, “Why?”
    “Well, it just seemed that it would be pretty,” Alessia said helplessly, “Danthys and I were talking about the cups and that idea just came into my mind.”
    “And into mine,” said Danthys.
    “But I did not tell Danthys my idea, only you.”
    “Is this true, son? Did you tell Alessia your idea?” Bullneck’s eyes flashed. Eventually Alessia and Danthys managed to convince everyone that they were telling the truth and had not shared their ideas. As this realisation became clearer to the others, they fell silent one by one and looked at each other in amazement. It was Rasifi who broke the silence.
    “We must give thanks to the Mother for guiding their minds, so that we would make two cups for the two ceremonies she needs.”
    “Oh, for goodness sake,” muttered Trynor, “they are looking at a miracle of human and soul symbiosis and they ignore it entirely and give the credit to their god.” He sighed and sat back in the wintery sunshine.
    “Lighten up, Trynor, at least they have noticed and accepted, and are thankful.”
    “Yes, and we are going to have to sit through double ceremonies. We should have foreseen that.”
    “You are too anti-ceremony. They enjoy them and so do I, sometimes,” Jotin was watching as Rasifi poured another libation onto the statue’s feet. “Pity I can’t drink that.”
    “I have reason to be anti-ceremony,” Trynor shuddered, “it was my two year old blood my tribe were pouring on their statue’s feet. It makes me nervous, I’m always afraid someone will revert to type and grab Alessia.”
    “I’m sorry, Trynor, I had forgotten. But this society almost never sacrifices their own people, I think you can relax.”
    The two goldsmithing families enjoyed Midwinter thoroughly. They were given front row seats at all the ceremonies and were excited by the rush of the bulls past their faces as the young athletes leaped over the animals’ backs. Alessia was sorry that it was not Hetrion’s bull dancing team, but she learnt some new and different steps for the earth walk by watching intently as the dancers moved through the arena. At the feasting after the ceremonies they were given seats at a long table near the king’s and at last were able to study their cups again as they circulated, one filled with wine and the other with fruit flavoured water. They were not identical, but very nearly, and Alessia and Danthys marvelled together, that they had had such similar ideas without even discussing it. They went to bed happy and lay in the comforting darkness with their hands on each