Guardian of the Earth House by Cassandra Gannon Page B

pontificating on the importance of something or other and Job found himself not caring.  At all.  “Nia, can we discuss something personal or would it make you uncomfortable?”
    “We’re family, Job.  We’re allowed to make each other uncomfortable.  It’s a package deal.”
    He appreciated that.  Truthfully, if Job could have only saved one House in the universe, it would have been the Water Kingdom.  Although it was probably wrong to admit it, he loved them more than even the Earth Phases.  Nia, Ty and Tharsis were treasures.  They gave so much to the world.
    They gave Job and Cross a family.
    “How did Cross get you to… like him?”  Job kept his attention on his legal pad.  “Was it because you were a Match?”
    “No.  Well, yes .  But, I think it was more that I… knew him.  I don’t know how to explain it.  I looked at him and I just knew him.  I wasn’t alone, anymore.”
    Job would have given anything to have that.  If the feeling of wholeness he felt with Tessie was actually real, it would be the answer to all his prayers.
    “Job, you want this woman to like you?”  Nia pressed when he remained quiet.  “Is that what you’re saying?  You want advice?”
    Pride gave way to the overwhelming desire to win Tessie over.  “Yes.”
    “Be yourself and buy her something pretty, Casanova.”  Nia winked.  “She won’t know what hit her.”

Chapter Six
     
    Spies are a most important element in war
    Sun Tzu- “The Art of War”
     
    Reaction to Job’s mass email hit the Air Kingdom like an atom bomb, obliterating the precarious sense of eye-of-the-hurricane calm most Air Phases lived in and changing the landscape forever.  It sent Parald into a manic fit and most Air Phases into quiet soul-searching as they contemplated the future.
    Amnesty.
    The promise of it was going to rip the shaky foundations of the Air Kingdom apart.  Gion could see it coming.  Parald was not a popular ruler and a lot of people wanted to escape him.
    Job was respected enough that even the arrogant, cynical Air Phases were going to believe his word and make a grab for a clean slate.  Like all immigrants, Air Phases were going to risk it all for the chance for a better life.  It was just a matter of time.
    Amnesty.
    The official Council proclamation was formal, filled with caveats and regulations. Only certain Houses would participate and they could screen all applications however they saw fit.  Air Phases would have to break all ties with the Air House and follow the rules of their new home.  Spies would be dealt with harshly.  Violence would not be tolerated.
    Blah, blah, blah.
    For Gion, the majority of the document was the meaningless legalize that Job reveled in.  The first sentence was all that mattered and his eyes traced over it again and again.
    The Council of All Houses offers general amnesty and sanctuary for all Air Phases who wish to leave the Air House and denounce Parald.
    Amnesty.
    The word was like a balm to whatever remained of his soul.
    Freedom.
    “Do you believe this shit?”  Isaacs crumpled up his printout of the letter and snorted in total disgust.  “Like I need to logon to my computer and read that the Council is finally willing to forgive me for being born.”
    Isaacs usually radiated congenial madness; a smiling sociopath who could whistle cheerily while cutting off his enemies’ fingers one knuckle at a time.  But Job’s letter had definitely unsettled his normal equilibrium.  “I’m just trying to get by and look at some internet porn.  Where the hell do they get off emailing me daily affirmations of their damn self-righteous pity?”
    Gion’s thumb unconsciously rubbed over the names of the Houses offering sanctuary.  The second one listed was the Water Kingdom.  He was torn between extreme annoyance that those idiots were so trusting and a desperate, unfamiliar surge of hope.
    “They’re trying to undermine me!”  Parald slammed a fist against the arm