Breaking Gods by Viola Grace Page A

this? Sister Aliyin’s talent for propagation was amazing. This is the best harvest I have seen in my twenty years here.”
    “I can handle it. Now go.” Sister Esrai stroked her cheek and sent her off.
    Lieta brushed her hands on her robe as she passed the industry in the forecourt. Venila was with one of the monks and her hands were steady as she chopped up fruit for the press. In the two days since she had been on the edge of death, she had recovered remarkably.
    Lieta walked the halls until she reached the chapel. She pressed her hands to the door at the back of the chapel, and when she heard it unlock, she opened it.
    The private garden was the home of Mother and Father, the founders of Aruda Abbey. The ancient stones had been built around them.
    Lieta walked carefully into the garden, watching for any small movements that would tell her she had stepped on the wrong thing. She mentally smacked herself and removed her shoes before continuing further.
    The change moved up her legs as she walked, and by the time she had reached the stone bench in the centre of the garden, her body was covered in moss, vines and twigs.
    The huge tree next to her stirred and the vines parted to release Mother and Father. The figure had made itself a familiar shape, but the life within those eyes was not of the world of Kenhoick.
    “Daughter, are you well?” Mother and Father sat next to her and took her hand. Thin tendrils of vine connected it to the bole of the tree.
    “I am well, Mother and Father.”
    There was no sense in pressing with questions. Mother and Father would only answer when they were ready, which was coincidentally when the questioner was ready.
    “The harvest was good this year. The new talents are strong and have a will to work.” Mother and Father smiled, the wood of their features creaking.
    “Yes, they are and do.”
    Silence fell between them, but it wasn’t true silence. Trees creaked, leaves rustled and branches swayed as the heartbeat of the world was felt in the garden.
    “You must leave us for a time. There is a need for it.” Mother and Father took her hand.
    Lieta was shocked. “Leave the abbey?”
    “Leave this world. You will return soon, but you are needed for a task you are uniquely suited for. When Sister Esrai brought you to us as a squalling pink creature and you turned into a bundle of leaves and twigs, we knew that you had a greater purpose. The opportunity to see you fulfill that purpose is a wonderful thing.”
    “Mother and Father, who will protect the abbey?”
    “The Citadel needs your services, so they will be sending in a guard to help us keep our security during this trying time for Venila. The monks and acolytes will be safe with the one they are sending until you return.”
    Lieta was tense. She had been in charge of keeping everyone on the premises safe since she was six. The idea of leaving home to work for the benefit of someone else was a foreign idea that would take some getting used to.
    “When will this be happening?”
    “They are on final approach and will be landing near Corln Valley. I would like you to meet them there.” Mother and Father patted her hand. “Do not worry, you will be able to verify the suitability of your stand-in on the way back.”
    “Why did you only tell me of this now?”
    “You are slow to build to tension, so the proximity to the event makes it less traumatic for you. I have been watching, Lieta.”
    The wooden face smiled with light cracks appearing in the surface. “You need to go now. I give you permission to leave directly from the garden if you like.”
    Lieta smiled. “Thank you, Mother and Father. You do know me best.”
    “Run along, little light. I will see you when you return from your adventure.”
    Lieta kissed the wooden cheek and walked to a small stone circle and bent her knees. With a push, she was up and flying through the air, heading for the valley and the visitors who were carefully landing with as little motion as