Rattleskin Redoubt orno

”You have no standing. You have nothing to offer her, let alone Akashingo.” Germanicus said, his words cutting deep. Cornelius was wounded by what’d been said, but he stood tall despite his bleeding heart.

That is not what I witnessed when I was at their palace, he replied, voice level but threatening to hitch at a moment’s notice. He swallowed hard, trying to compose himself. Toula was a kind and gracious leader from what he’d seen and was well-loved by her people.

His father tried to dictate what would happen next, but he shook his head.

No, he said, his face devoid of emotion. I am going to go back to Akashingo, and see for myself what it’s about. If there is hope that I can bring positive change, I will try and help. Cornelius had never disobeyed Germanicus before; this was a life-defining moment.