19
When Rippling Water told me what the Heir had said, I felt the burden lift from my shoulders. The crushing weight of his opposition was gone—and he'd also given me what sounded like a genuine promise. I knew I wasn't ready to trust him, but I had few doubts about believing him. From what the Matriarch told me, he sounded like the honorable and gentle man that rumor said he was. All that contradicted my impression were his acts to annihilate the bandits.
Those, he had said, would cease.
Even better was his agreeing to my plan for getting from his father the Northern Imperial Sword. When we'd accomplished that, then I could rest, assured that the Heir was no longer the enemy.—The Heir, the Enemy, by Seeking Sword.
Seeking Sword bowed to Rippling Water, liking what he saw.
She nodded
