They had heard word of the bent Mars had taken in his realm in an attempt to gather information.

And the Go’Doan had heard it too.

“This was my understanding as well,” True confirmed.

“That is not to be abided,” Aron decreed.

“Explain why,” Apollo ordered.

“It is not to be abided,” Aron repeated.

“Bloody explain why,” Apollo shot back.

“I would like to know this as well,” Alfie remarked calmly.

“If you need to speak to an acolyte, you talk through her priest,” Aron declared.

“Why?” Apollo asked.

“It is the way,” Aron answered.

“That’s all you have?” Apollo inquired when Aron said no more.

“They’re terrified one, or more, of the Go’Ella speaking with King Mars will share they’re being, or have been, mistreated,” G’Ry stated, and all eyes turned to him.

Only when he had everyone’s attention did he finish.

“That being mistreated by Go’Doan not only of this Rising.”

“Ry,” Aron spat. “You’d do well to be quiet.”

Ry slowly shifted his attention to Aron.

“I have not known a time like this. A time of trouble and sorrow. A time of danger and aggression. A time like this at all when it is the least good to be quiet,” Ry returned. “There are things we can share, Aron. There are ways we can help. I have been adamant that this should be our stance, as you know. And right now, I find I can no longer carry on being a part of a strategy I find fundamentally flawed when the stakes are this high.”

“You will be sanctioned,” Aron warned.

“I have no doubt,” Ry said.

“You will be cast out,” Aron threatened.

An expression of deep concern moved over the older man’s face before he controlled it, and on a release of breath, said, “With what is at stake, I cannot allow myself to care.”

Aron rose from his seat. “I will not be a party to this.”

“Luther, Florian,” True called to his men standing flanking the door. “Escort Aron to his chambers and then arrange for a military escort for him and his Go’Ella direct to the Dome City.”

“You will regret this when you need our healers, when you wish your citizens to enter the Go’Da,” Aron cautioned True.

“We have very good universities here,” True replied.

Aron looked to Ry. “You do this, you are a sacrilege.”

“I do not think Go’Bedi, Go’Vicee and especially Go’Chas would agree.”

“It is not yours to think for the gods,” Aron rejoined.

“It is not yours either, my brother. And yet it is. As it is mine. We have no choice but to follow our hearts to where we feel our gods are guiding us,” Ry said quietly.

Aron apparently had no retort for he stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him.

“You make the right choice,” True told Ry.

“You do,” Alfie added, his two words far outweighing True’s.

Ry took in Alfie.

“I find you astonishing. If you were not here, so soon after what befell you…” Ry trailed off but shortly again picked up that trail. “I do not know if I’d have had the courage.”