CHAPTER FIVE
Aramis dipped his mangled hand into the river. The water was surprisingly cold. He pulled it out a few seconds later after his hand had numbed. He rested it on his leg and let the air dry his skin.
“You aren’t really a noble from … wherever you said then, are you?”
Mel nodded. “I am of noble blood, yes. And that is my family’s estate. I have not seen them since I joined the order, though. I came here under the instruction of the Prophet.”
“Who is the Prophet?” Aramis asked.
“He is the head of Edria’s following. He alone receives divine counsel from her and guides the rest of us in her will.”
“And Edria is …?”
Mel sighed. “Have you paid so little attention to what I have said? She is the Goddess of Knowledge.”
Aramis held his hand up and inspected his broken fingers. At
