In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Pietas refused to apologize to Six and insisted he needs no help from the human. Unable to feed himself, Pietas has become dehydrated. He’s relapsed and lost the inability to speak. Six does not realize it yet.
30 Days of Chaos: Day 26
To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.
Tantrum
Pietas woke to the smell of fish cooking. He tried, but could no longer turn his head. A body-deep lethargy stole his breath, and he lacked energy to cough, or speak. His stomach cramped from hunger.
If his people found him, they would make this ghost pay for–
No. No.
Pietas had given his word he would not allow his people to harm Six. Though the ghost had let him starve, Pietas would keep his word. His honor set him apart from humans, who broke their oaths with complete disregard for the sanctity of vows.
If Ultras encountered Six while the ghost was out hunting, he could be killed. If the others came here, Pietas lacked the strength to tell them anything.
Why wouldn’t this ghost unbend his stubborn neck and listen to reason. Humans are impossible!
“Excuse me?” Six, squatting beside the fire, pivoted on one foot. “Did you say humans are impossible? Try dealing with the king of the Ultras.”
Pietas had not spoken aloud. His throat had closed so much it hurt to breathe. The ghost had heard his thoughts.
Could Six be telepathic? Or perhaps when angry, Pietas overcame his inability to reach others. It would explain how Six had known Pietas was awake aboard ship, and his comment about Naro the day before. Six was not the single person to whom he could mind-speak. Surely not.
He tried reaching out. Six!
The ghost stood at once, and came over to him. With alarm in his eyes, he dropped to one knee. Bending over him, Six lifted one of Pietas’s eyelids. “You stubborn, pig-headed Ultra. You’re dehydrated.” He left, and came back with a steel cup. “Drink this.” He held it for him.
Water cascaded through Pietas’s mouth and across his tongue. His teeth stopped sticking to the inside of his mouth.
“Look, I’m sorry, Pietas. I shouldn’t have done that to you. Considering what you’ve been through, that was wrong. I’m sorry. I will never do that again. From now on, you don’t ever have to ask me for anything, you got that? I’ll be here.” Six helped him sit up. “I know you like being right, but you don’t have to be right all the time.”
Pietas rested against him. “Not…right. Perfect.”
“Man. Nobody’s perfect. Not even you.” He held the water for him. “You’re worse than a kid having a tantrum.”
Before he could react to the insult, the words sparked a long-ignored memory.
He was nine, and learning one of many languages his father insisted he master. The work was easy, which bored him. He much preferred a challenge. That night, his father came to check on him. Pietas was eager to show him what he’d learned. Mahikos held an extended discussion with him in the language.
“Good enough. Language is one of your strengths. You must learn to speak as many as possible. Begin another.” Mahikos left the room without further comment.
Having spent days memorizing the hundreds of verb forms of the language and how to use them, the sparse praise irritated.
Pietas kicked the table leg. With his superior strength, the leg broke. The table canted over, dumping everything onto the floor. Liquid spilled on scattering papers. Glass broke. He cut himself picking it up, and popped the injured finger into his mouth.
His mother entered, took in the damage, and came over to examine his hand.
“It doesn’t hurt.” He pulled it away from her.
“Tell me what happened.” When he told her, she cupped his chin in her hand, and kissed his brow. “Pietas.” She sat beside him, and drew him into her arms. “Son, when someone has a tantrum, people always gets hurt. More often than not, it’s the person who threw the tantrum. You were born to be a leader. Train yourself to think before you act. Always set an example. If your soldiers you see you out of control, they will be. You can never afford to indulge your temper.” She kissed his brow. “You were born to rule. You must be above pettiness and anger.”
“Father is always angry.”
“Do you want to be no better than your father?”
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Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp
Support Bringer of Chaos
How? By joining my Thunderclap or Headtalker campaigns.
For Thunderclap click here: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/40531-chaos-is-coming
#ChaosIsComing Create chaos and you create opportunity. Pietas; BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #Amreading http://thndr.me/kyeSr9
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For Headtalker click here: https://headtalker.com/campaigns/chaos-is-coming/
#ChaosIsComing In battle, chaos is a good thing. Especially among the enemy. BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #AmReading https://hdtk.co/LeBAh
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Giveaway – Free Download
Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf