Today we have another excerpt from Riwenne & the Airship Gambit. I don’t think it’s too spoiler-y this time, so long as you know that there’s an ongoing theme about violence and its consequences. These characters are called the Divine Warriors because they are physically fighting their enemies (at least sometimes), but that doesn’t mean that they take violence lightly, even when it’s for a mission given to them by the gods.

I won’t tell you exactly what happened before this scene, but Riwenne is so upset that she doesn’t want to eat. This is unusual because Riwenne loves food, especially sweets and desserts. Luckily, her friends are there to help her out and take care of her.

Riwenne Won’t Eat

Janera smacked her fist into the palm of her other hand. “You shouldn’t have to kill people, Riwenne. You’re too gentle. Let the rest of us protect you.”

I turned to stare at her. “No, that’s the point. None of us should kill anyone, no matter how bad or dangerous they are.” Quilla’s words came back to me. “Did the goddess really say that she was starting to believe in it, too?”

Amena nodded. “She said she was curious enough to let you try and see what happens.” She raised her eyebrows. “I guess you’re the miracle girl. If you say you can get the enemy to change their hearts, then maybe you can do it. So far you’ve done everything you believe you can do.”

I flopped onto my back and stared at the ceiling. “Not everything. People are still fighting and dying.”

The front door chimed. “Riri?” Kyra called. “Is that her moping on the bench?”

I forced myself to sit up again. “Yes, it’s me.”

“I brought your food.” She walked across the room and set down two heavy bags and a cardboard box on the table. “All your favorites from The Grove, and a box of pastries from the place down the street.” Janera opened her mouth, but Kyra raised her hand. “Yes, I know they’re not as good as the one a few blocks away, but I’m just one person carrying all this so I wasn’t going all over.”

Janera sighed. “I guess we can deal with this for now.”

The radio beeped and Amena answered it. After a brief conversation, she looked up. “Deryt says he got held up at the police station, so we should eat without him.”

I stared at the bags but I felt nothing. “I’m not really hungry.”

“Now I know something’s wrong.” Kyra opened a container and pushed it in front of me. “Eat anyway, you need it.”

I put food in my mouth and chewed, mostly to keep her from nagging me, but I didn’t really taste it. There wasn’t any energy left to deal with this.

Kyra sat next to me and made sure I was eating, but she followed my silence and didn’t say anything else. My friends chatted about the day’s events and I let the conversation drift past me without paying much attention.