SFFSat: oh the times, they are a-changing...

 Here is the continuation to the last three weeks' snippets (1, 2, 3) and the end of this chapter!

They didn’t, this time. He merely nodded and put his arm around her shoulders, and they walked in silence. Normally she wouldn’t allow such a display of affection in front of her women, but since leaving Atherton she felt as if some weight had been lifted from her, and that she was a different Agate. It was as if the very act of leaving, of heading back towards home, had instigated some change in her that was still working at all the small corners of her mind.     

The very thought of it made her stomach clench in fear. For some reason, she felt this change would not stop working until she was destroyed completely.        

Oh, Ixchel. What’s happening to me? she prayed fervently, but the Goddess gave her no answer.

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And if you like the snippets from The Jade Star of Athering, consider checking out the first book in the series, Bellica, available for the Kindle. Soon to be available on CreateSpace, too.

SFFSat March 24th: a conversation between Agate and her major

Continuing on in the same scene as the last two weeks' snippets (1, 2), here we see a small conversation between Bellica Agate and her major, Damien. This is from The Jade Star of Athering, the sequel to Bellica.

“You didn’t mention why you were chosen for the mission,” he said gently when they were out of earshot. It was neither a reprimand nor a question. 

“Need to know basis, Damien. I’m assuming this ‘Gypsy Queen,’ whoever she is, speaks Athee, or at least enough of it for us to be able to communicate. She gave a message to Melena, after all, and that girl does not know a word of Ixil.”
   
He raised his eyebrows and looked down at her. “Ixil? Is that the language you barely remember?”
   
Agate mentally kicked herself for letting it slip. “Yes,” she said, and waited for the flood of questions to come.

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SFFSat, March 10th, 2012: a snippet from The Jade Star of Athering

During a break on the march to Southland, Agate takes an opportunity to tell her women about their mission -- and encounters some resistance.

While her women sat, scattered across the road in a rough semi-circle, chewing on their rations, she spoke clearly and quietly. No one said anything, for her women were loyal, and always showed the respect they knew she deserved.

 “As the Queen said, this is a delicate situation. If there are any of you who feel you are not up to the task, tell me now.”

There was a small pause while the women looked around at each other, an assessing gaze on each face, and then – Agate had been expecting it – Bethany stood. “Ma’am,” she started, but didn’t get a chance to say “I feel I would jeopardize the mission” because Agate cut her off.

“Shut up, Bethany. You’re coming and that’s final.”

Bethany gaped like a fish out of water, then shut her mouth with clunk sound. “Ma’am,” she said tightly, through her teeth, “with all due respect I think that’s an uninformed decision.”

The Jade Star of Athering is the sequel to Bellica.

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