Harvest of Dreams (The Gods' Dream Trilogy) by Debra Holland Read Free Book Online

enough to make them loyal to Him.”
    Indaran stepped in to side with Jasmine. “Archpriestess Anza, Jasmine, and I worked together with Arvintor to sever Ontarem’s connections to one of the captive’s babies. That was when we were in the heart of Ontarem’s territory. I think one of us alone in Arvintor’s land would be enough to break the Evil One’s shackles on a person.”
    Jasmine looked thoughtful. “Three of Seagem’s priests and priestesses still alive, including Archpriestess Anza. Perhaps they also have enough strength…Anza certainly does.”
    “One will have to return with the ships,” Daria said in a firm voice. “Our people will need the comfort and guidance of a priest or priestess whom they know.”
    Indaran cleared his throat and looked at Jasmine. “I want you to leave with them.”
    Daria nodded with a decisive set to her chin. “Khan, too. Neither of you have skill with swords.”
    Jasmine stiffened in protest. “No!” She and Khan spoke as one.
    Indaran took Jasmine’s hand. “Give us the peace of mind of knowing you are safe.”
    Jasmine squeezed his hand. “I’m not leaving you. And, you’ll need me to heal,” she said in a firm tone.
    Khan touched Daria’s chin. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, habibti .” He made his voice light. “I’m sticking by your side, and that’s final.”
    “You’re being stubborn,” Daria argued with a jerk of her head.
    “Yes. And so are you. You’d have to toss us overboard, and since we desert people can’t swim, I don’t see you doing that.” Khan grinned. “You’re stuck with us.”
    “Well.” Daria looked at the others. “No sense in arguing.” She grasped both hands around a rectangular gold case dangling from a thick necklace she wore. A shell hung from a thinner chain around her neck.
    “I agree,” Indaran said. “We must plan for our return to Louat, or we’ll end up captured. We escaped because Arvintor and Withea temporarily disabled Ontarem. But I’m sure He’s back to normal now, or at least has enough power to sense us. Once we sail into His waters, He’ll have us back in His control.” He looked down at Jasmine and ran a hand along her arm. “Can you connect with Arvintor at this distance?”
    “I don’t know.”
    Daria slipped her hand into Khan’s. “We’ll all aid you.”
    “We’ll need Arvintor to give us enough protection to keep from being taken over,” Jasmine said. “What else?”
    Indaran pinched the bridge of his nose. “Ontarem will still sense us and send His soldiers to the place where we disembark. The Che-da-wah will need to beat them to us. But Ontarem won’t give us up easily. There’s going to be a battle.”
    ~ ~ ~
    As the Stingfish ship carrying Pasinae to exile—as she thought of it—entered the harbor at Triangle One, she emerged from her cabin, clad in one of her favorite crimson dresses. Fingering the heavy pearl of power, today hanging on a long silveral necklace, she kept her eyes averted from the crew scurrying about the deck, lowering the sails and doing whatever else sailors did to anchor the ship. Instead, she looked over the rail at the island belonging to the Stingfish, the strongest of the four seadog clans.
    The fog that usually swirled around the islands had lifted, probably because Ontarem couldn’t spare the extra energy to hide the presence of Yadarius. Two other ships rode at anchor in the bay. Closer to land, Pasinae saw several rowboats and barges anchored in the shallower water.
    The humid air pressed down on her, filled with the scent of saltwater and growing things. She raised her gaze to the peak of the volcano, stark against the gray sky, the sides covered with verdant foliage. Black buildings built of lava rock stair-stepped down the flanks of the mountain, all the way to the water. Pasinae eyed the high wall separating the living quarters of the slaves captured over many generations, their population recently swelled with the citizens