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It’s BIBLE STUDY DAY! Today we’re looking at a specific word in Scripture that’s very important to Kethin in Romance’s Rest–and to us also. In fact, this concept can be found on every page of the Bible.

“In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:16-17

God is love. 

It’s the most basic, foundational principle given to us in Scripture.

There is no love apart from Him. He IS love within Himself – pure, unfeigned, uninhibited love. However, God does not merely communicate His love within Himself; He communicates it to humankind. 

The method by which God has chosen to communicate His love to humans is through covenant. From eternity, God’s covenant with His people has been based upon His steadfast love, which might be called covenant love. He expressed His covenant love in four ways: through creation, through Christ, through the cross, and through daily blessings.

By first understanding how His love is communicated through the covenant and then how that covenant love is expressed in history, we can not only appreciate the grandeur of His love for us but live within it—and let it flow through us to others.

The essence of covenant is encompassed in the descriptive Hebrew word hesed. Translated mercy, lovingkindness, steadfast love, and similar terms in Scripture, hesed refers to the unchanging, strong, loyal, faithful, deep covenant love of God.

Hesed is the Hebrew word used to describe the ongoing relationship of the parties in covenant who worked out the commitment made in covenant, the keeping of its promises and responsibilities

The Power of the Blood Covenant, Malcolm Smith, p. 22

The Hebrew conception of covenant is an unbreakable, binding agreement between two parties.

Often, a covenant was initiated by a superior, such as a king or sheik, to a lesser person. Typically, the covenant parties would arrange the covenant through a mediator, establish the covenant with an oath and shedding of blood, and celebrate the covenant through a shared meal. After a covenant, the two parties were friends—friends in a far deeper way than in the modern use of the term. Such friends were obligated to protect each other, stand by each other, and love each other intimately. 

That is the type of covenant that God made with His people.

Examples of covenant are found throughout Scripture—God and Abraham, David and Jonathan, Joshua and the Gibeonites, and so on. The covenant is relationship: a love relationship with committed trust far beyond anything in modern human experience. Hesed love is the foundation of this covenant: a love that gives its all for its covenant partner and delights to do so because of the covenant between them.

A beautiful picture of the covenant love of God for man is expressed in Zephaniah 3:17. He does not communicate His love like human imagination might think that He would; instead, His communication is much richer and deeper than that.

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Zephaniah 3:16-17

Hebrew is an extremely descriptive language, and the word pictures hidden within the Hebrew terms in this passage give valuable insight into the covenant love of God. 

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty.”

This refers to Yahweh Himself – the covenant partner. “In the midst,” in Hebrew, refers to the very center, the “nearest part,” to be “within.” It stems from a word that means “to bring near” (Strong’s Concordance). Literally, God could not be any nearer to His people than that—and yet He is constantly drawing them yet nearer to Himself.

“He will save.” 

Yasha, the Hebrew term for “save,” means “to be open, wide, or free; to make safe” (Strong’s). Based on this definition, God opens Himself wide to His people, making them free and safe. The entire being of God is used for His people. 

“He will rejoice over thee with joy.”

To “rejoice” is to be bright and cheerful; “joy” speaks of blithesomeness and glee. The LORD God Himself brightens up to see His people—that is how much He loves them! 

“He will rest in His love.”

In the midst of His joy, Father rests in the great love that He has for His people. Sometimes His joy is too deep for words; He silently enjoys being with His children. His covenant love is the basis of perfect, eternal rest.

“He will joy over thee with singing.”

The word translated “joy” is a different word than the one used in the previous portion of the verse. Gul means, “to spin around (under the influence of any violent emotion), that is, rejoice” (Strong). “Singing” is “a creaking or shrill sound, that is, shout” (Strong).

If we believed that His love for us is so strong that He spins around, leaping, dancing, skipping, singing, and shouting for joy `all around, through, and in us for the sheer delight of His love for us, how much of a difference that realization would make in our lives!

That is the love of God undisguised.

That is the deep delight of God for each one of His children. God is thrilled and excited about each of us. He is crazily in love with you and with me. Such covenant love is unimaginable. It is infinite. It is who He is. That is the communication of His covenant love to us.

We have two other excellent posts today.

Vanessa Hall at Vanessa Hall posted a book review of Romance’s Rest!
Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness posted a book spotlight and exclusive excerpt!

Come back tomorrow for LAUNCH DAY!

Welcome back to the Romance’s Rest launch tour! It’s FREE CHAPTER DAY – which means that you get to read the first chapter right now.

Without delay, I present the free chapter:

Also today, Rachael Anne English at Note By Note posted a book review of Romance’s Rest. Do pay her a visit and check it out.

Come back tomorrow for a Bible study on covenant!

Greetings, friends! Welcome to the Romance’s Rest Blog/Media Launch Tour! In honor of Romance’s Rest releasing on the 21st, we have a whole week of virtual tour fun planned.

Tour Map and OverviewA

• A brand new book for sale in ebook and signed paperback (surprise ;)).
• Sales on nearly all my other books (50%-75% off!). Get all 6 Taerna books for under $9 (reg. $23.) Promise’s Prayer is FREE Wednesday through Saturday; Victory’s Voice & Surrender’s Strength are 99 cents all week; Sustainer’s Smile and Memory’s Mind are $1.99 all week; Romance’s Rest is $2.99.
• A giveaway
• A fun blog/bookstagram challenge
• Exclusive snippets
• Book spotlights and reviews by a number of wonderful bloggers and Instagrammers
• Guests posts on true Biblical love

I call this book “a romance novel for those who avoid romance novels.” So many romance novels fail to be clean. Or they are cheesy. Or unrealistic. Or too predictable. Or simply unbiblical or inappropriate for Christians.

But just because so many romance novels aren’t edifying for a believer, that doesn’t mean the subject of romance should be completely avoided in a novel.

On the contrary, we need a new perspective on the genre. What if we forget everything we know about romance storylines and go about it as the Bible teaches?

As a covenant. As love in a manner that our overused, misused English word “love” can’t quite convey. As a reflection of God and His people – and as God in the midst of His people. From a Kingdom perspective.

So many novels miss this perspective entirely.

Romance’s Rest seeks to change that.

About the Book

Her love seems to have passed him by.
Little does he know that true covenant Love is knocking at his door.

Kethin Ellith’s life is brimful: a new town, his dream job working with people and animals, an active social life, and now a spunky, godly woman who has captured his heart. But how can he have any sort of relationship with her when she’s not even interested in a single conversation?

Faeth Dale delights in being an avid flower gardener and the middle sister of a lively, close-knit family. She has her own non-negotiable reasons for avoiding all male friendships, particularly with spiritually shallow men like Kethin. But would Adon Olam give her this apparently conflicted guidance?When rejection, grief, and longing jolt Kethin’s reality, knowing love seems permanently beyond him. And what is this spiritual concept of covenant he keeps encountering? As his struggles in this new relationship with Adon Olam intertwine with the struggles of his heart, Kethin comes face to face with both the starkness and breathtaking gloriousness of divine love itself—and a decision that costs him everything.

Content guide: No violence, no language, no fantasy or magic. Squeaky clean romance. A newly-engaged couple holds hands. A few brief mentions of forward people who unsuccessfully attempt to flirt with a character 

Don’t forget to check out this fun character spotlight on Faeth Dale by Autumn Lehman at Bursting Through the Darkness and the book spotlight and exclusive excerpt at Vanessa Hall!

Have you read a Biblical romance novel? Let me know in the comments.

Come back tomorrow to read a chapter of Romance’s Rest for free!

The last Truth from Taerna book is almost here!
You are invited to join the cover reveal for Romance’s Rest here.

I’ll send you the cover and a prewritten post for you to copy/paste on your blog or social media – or you can create your own graphics and post if you wish!⁠ ⁠

Her love seems to have passed him by.
Little does he know that true covenant love is knocking at his door. ⁠ ⁠

A family-friendly Biblically-centered romance novel for those who avoid romance novels, Romance’s Rest follows big-hearted, animal-loving Kelton through his quest to know the true meaning of love—and covenant relationship with Adon Olam.⁠

Bloggers, social media users, graphic designers, and prayer warriors! You are invited to join the launch tour of Memory’s Mind February 14-19! There are opportunities for interviews, a giveaway, a meditation challenge, reviews, a Biblical word study, and more.⁠
⁠
Join here! https://forms.gle/kuYxVyiMdsRPxe3z6
⁠
You’ll be posting in the place of your choice on the day of your choice. I’ll send you a tour package containing everything you need – you can simply copy and paste if you like, or create your own unique post!

Wow, what an incredible and powerful tour we’ve had this month! Thanks to more than 30 awesome bloggers, at least 63 pro-life blog posts have been posted during October – one for every one million of the precious lives lost to abortion since Roe v. Wade.

If you missed it, you can check out all the posts here. There’s a list of every post with a direct link to each one.

If you don’t have time to read 63 blog posts, though, I’ve compiled a summary with a quick sentence or two from each one.

But first, the important book links:

• Buy Sustainer’s Smile or leave a review; or add to Goodreads or leave a review
• Preorder To Save a Life (release slightly delayed because God sent the author a baby expected in several months – both book and baby coming soon!) or add to Goodreads

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

…remember how God shaped you and remember how you parents Chose you, and keep living! ~ Autumn, Why I’m Prolife

People like you, who give one dollar, who say one prayer, who give one hug, who loves one child, who repeat one verse, who take one step…one. Just one. Only one can make a difference, and many can make all the difference. ~ Grace, Thank You For Taking a Stand

What was that life going to produce? Do you know? What giggles and sparkles and rainbows were in it? What was it going to give back to life? You will never know. Because death came far too soon. ~ Katja, Why I’m Pro-life

So if you have had an abortion, supported abortion, encouraged someone to have an abortion, worked in an abortion clinic… no matter what you’ve done, the arms of Jesus Christ are open wide for you. – Joy, Because of His Death, We Live

Unborn babies hide from abortion instruments. Tumors and growths don’t. They can’t. An unborn baby can. That alone proves Baby’s humanity. ~ Madisyn, Responses to Abortion Arguments Part 1

I’m SO excited to share this new novel with you because babies are near and dear to my heart, and the value of each and every baby’s life is the heart of this book. ~ Jen Rose, Sustainer’s Smile Spotlight

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” We have the ability to affect a change if we pray for change. Yes, we need to be informed and be able to defend our position. Yes, we should volunteer where we can and vote. But we NEED to be in prayer. God’s power needs to be in this movement. ~ Akira, Five Ways to Get Involved in the Pro-Life Movement

pro-life is more than being against abortion. its being for LIFE. it’s having an open womb. its refusing to give into convivence or fear with a pill. its being pro-foster care and pro-adoption. ~ Autumn, One Life At A Time

Below are some Snippets from the novel! “Liliora shook her head. “If Adon Olam wants it, I will not listen to my fears.” Yet tears welled up even in the words, and she felt her heart failing her.” ~ Kylie, Sustainer’s Smile spotlight

Sustainer’s Smile is book 4 of Truth from Taerna, although it can easily be read as a standalone. (Me? I’mma read the others first…) It’s clean and family-friendly (I wouldn’t be spotlighting it if it weren’t…), though Erika recommended for teens and up due to dealing with the issue of abortion. ~ Grace, Coming Soon: Sustainer’s Smile

Mathews did a wonderful job with this theme, crafting a truly heartrending and impactful story. I believe stories like these can change lives, and I applaud Mathews for addressing the difficult topic of abortion with compassion and discernment. ~ Joy, Sustainer’s Smile review

I was excited about this novel because pro-life books are very important to me—besides the fact that the Truth From Taerna books are epicness personified. And it was just as good as I expected. ~ Katja, Sustainer’s Smile review and character spotlight on Liliora

So it’s okay to murder an unborn baby because of lifestyle, work schedule, or plans being disrupted? Really? When did we become such a selfish, self-centered society that this argument and justification is considered “acceptable” and “reasonable”? When did we begin putting ourselves and our glorified schedules above the immeasurably precious lives of unborn babies? Once more, if you don’t want to care for your baby – a baby you are fifty percent responsible for the conception of – put Baby up for adoption. ~ Madi, Responding to Abortion Arguments, Part 2

I hate abortion because it dishonours God and because of the terrible consequences for the mother and unborn child. With abortion, there’s always more than one victim. 🙁 ~ Lauren, Every Life Counts

I have the pleasure of spotlighting Carita Ellith, one of my favourite characters from the Truth from Taerna series. ~ Jen Rose, Sustainer’s Smile Character spotlight: Carita

This book is now one of my favorite books…Somehow, each of them have a way of dealing with something that either I’m dealing with or that is close to my heart. This book is a good way to deal with the atrocities of abortion without delving into too much detail. ~ Akira, Sustainer’s Smile review

Being prolife means encouraging Christian married couples to have children, and not to be selfish. It means encouraging those that had their children, no disparaging jokes about birth control not working, or about the large size of their family. ~ Rachel, Prolife October

When I pick up a book, I want to be able to gain something from it. I want that book to address real issues, to tackle tough topics, to spread truth. And that’s exactly what this book intends. Abortion is a terrible evil, and I am so thankful to see authors standing up and showing the truth through fiction. ~ Vanessa, Sustainer’s Smile review

 I SO enjoyed reading about characters who are actively seeking, and waiting on, God. What an excellent representation of our faith! ~ Stephanie, Sustainer’s Smile Book review

Being parents isn’t always easy, but it’s always good. My Pastor loves to say that when you get married, it squeezes some of the selfishness out of you. ~ Rachel, How Does God See Children?

I’m SUPER excited to share about this new novel because LIFE is near and dear to my heart and it’s the heart of this book!  ~ Autumn, Sustainer’s Smile spotlight

In telling Liliora’s story, several elements required someone else to be involved. There were things that simply wouldn’t work for Liliora to be directly involved in—and that’s where Rita came in. She proved to have a mind of her own, and her stubbornness and Liliora’s mildness melded together beautifully. ~ Kelsey, Sustainer’s Smile Character Spotlight, Rita

This summer I listened in Sunday school as my teacher told the story of how he and his wife had tried to adopt a little, unwanted baby. They had heard of a bad situation–seen the need–and told the parents that they wanted that baby. The parents went ahead with the abortion. ~ Brianna, You’re Worth It

For you can’t open your mouth for others unless your ears are open to God. When you open your document to write a story, a novel, a devotional, a blog post, a social media post, do you sit with your ears open to hear the voice of the King of Kings regarding the words He would have you write? ~ Grace, Guest Post by Erika Mathews: Writing Pro-Life Fiction in Today’s World

Wow. Just wow. This novel was incredible! Peterson is a wonderfully talented writer, and one that really makes you feel the emotions of the characters. Within the first few pages, this story actually made me cry because of how touching it was – and I’m not the type to cry very quickly or easily at stories… I strongly believe that this is our best weapon against abortion: love and compassion for all people, even those who participate in the slaughter of God’s children. ~ Joy, To Save a Life review

Erika Mathews did a fantastic job making you feel the desperation, the need, the fear, the hope, the pain, the betrayal…it is a beautiful, heart-tugging, inspiring, encouraging book with a message that must be heard. ~ Katja, Sustainer’s Smile Review

My husband and I aren’t planning our family, God is. We want to have as many children as God will give us. ~ Rachel, Old Testament Scriptures About Children

Something you can do. Knit or crochet baby hats or blankets and donate them to a pregnancy center near you. ~ Rebekah Morris, Sustainer’s Smile review

It’s so lovely to hear what your heart behind the writing of this book is. And I agree that we all need to keep these little lives in our thoughts more (and pray for them!). ~ Lauren, Interview With Erika Mathews

We have no right to take away what could be. What could have been… the emergence of a brand-new person, who will experience joys and hardships, delight and disgust, confidence and doubt, and all those things that make life on this earth what it is. I am pro-life. I am pro-babies. And I am not ashamed of it. ~ Martha, Woven Together

Sometimes, Christian fiction authors shy away from Gospel presentations and having characters get saved. I’m so glad Ryana isn’t one of them. Because those scenes were powerful. ~ Kristina, To Save a Life review

This book was sooo good and sooo hard, in a good way! Liliora is such an inspiring young woman and her struggles are so real and relatable and I love her heart for children and babies, born and unborn. ~ Jen Rose, Sustainer’s Smile review

The book was very well-written, the characters were lovable, and the message was clear and challenging. ~ Akira, To Save a Life review

Now, we have a reason why life is precious. Why every child should be loved and given a chance to live, no matter the situation. Because the Creator has ordained life as infinitely precious … and as a gift. ~ Vanessa, Why Are You Pro-Life?

What a blessing to experience firsthand the miracle of unborn life while penning this book. What empathy for those little humans that no physical eye has yet seen but whose hearts beat steadily with the potential of a thousand unknown futures.  ~ Erika Mathews, special author release day post

I loved the pro-life moral! Christian fiction needs more pro-life books because it’s such an important topic! ~ Kristina Hall, Sustainer’s Smile review

My first Book Nations interview with Erika Mathews is by-far my favorite! All of her answers are so powerful and true, resonating within me, and I think y’all will find her advice and her writing to be extremely inspiring! ~ Grace, Interview With Erika Mathews

I did not expect this book to hit me as hard as it did. This book had me in tears for at least three chapters, and some more off and on. It broke my heart, but it was so . . . so meaningful. So impactful. Really. I did not expect it to be as “deep” as it was, but it kind of took my expectations and threw them out the window (in a good way). ~ Martha, Sustainer’s Smile review

Indignant is a strong word, and to know that Jesus felt it because the disciples were rebuking parents from bringing their children to Jesus, encourages me. ~ Rachel, New Testament Verses About Children

…grab yourself a copy of this meaningful book! ~ Kellyn, Sustainer’s Smile spotlight

Ryana’s plan was to release the book this month, but as many of you know, God had a different plan! I suppose he decided that a new child would be a better way to celebrate Honor Life Month than a book. 😍🤗 (Though I am soooo THRILLED and CAN”T WAIT to read this book, I’d have to agree, a baby’s better! *wink*) …the book will be coming out asap! While we wait, lets keep Ryana and baby and hubby in our prayers! 🙏 ~  Autumn, TSAL Spotlight and Author Interview with R.M. Peterson

To Save a Life is one of the most powerful, heart-wrenching, moving books I’ve ever read! I have no doubt that Natty’s story will change a lot of hearts, y’all! ~ Grace, To Save a Life Spotlight

Y’all, I can not speak enough on how valuable children are. I cannot speak enough on how wrong it is to kill a child. And I cannot tell you how scientifically inaccurate it is to say that modern-day abortions do not take the life of a precious baby. ~ Kellyn, To Save a Life Spotlight

To Save a Life is an exemplary novel. R. M. Peterson gave us the most powerful pro-life fiction story I’ve ever heard of, let alone read. ~ Grace, To Save a Life Spotlight/review

William Wilberforce has changed my perspective on the pro-life movement, because he has shown me that evil can be overcome. It has been overcome before. It can be overcome again. Two centuries ago, a Western world without slavery looked like an impossible dream. It wasn’t. ~ Courtenay, William Wilberforce and the Pro-Life Movement

The writing style isn’t epic, but it is REAL. No other characters have ever lived for me like this . The humour is excellent, the message is a must-read… this book shreds my heart and stitches it back up every time… and always leaves me passionate to stand for Life. ~ Katja, To Save a Life review

I was around 4 when she came to me smiling, saying that she was going to have a baby and I’d be a big sister. I remember being so excited and her letting me feel her tummy even though she was no where near far enough along for me to feel anything. Then the next memory I have is of her crying and me asking her why. “I lost the baby.” she said, and I tried to comfort her the best way my 4 year old self could. ~ Tara, Why I’m Prolife

Erika Mathews absolutely nails it with this story, keeping it clean and light in content yet managing to completely tear at your heart-strings. ~ Tara, Sustainer’s Smile review

This story has lovely characters, difficult characters, adorable characters, and characters I’d like to get to know better. It’s a story about life. A story about love and forgiveness, about hope and being willing to open your heart and your home to those who need it. ~ Rebekah, To Save a Life Review

This book has made me stop and think more about what it might be like to be involved in an abortion from many different angles–the mother and father, family, abortion clinic workers . . . ~ Lauren, To Save A Life post

Wow, this story was so moving! It sucks you in and could easily be an all day read! ~ Tara, To Save a Life Review

The second book that is releasing (it was supposed to release last week as well, but life happened and the author wasn’t able to finish the book in time—because she’s expecting a precious child of her own!) is To Save a Life, a pro-life novel whose cover I was honored to design! ~ Kate, Sustainer’s Smile and To Save a Life release post

Pro-life books are so incredibly important, and I’m thankful to see another author pointing to the only final solution to the horror of abortion. Only the Lord can save and renew our hearts and teach us to love one another, no matter how small and helpless our neighbor is. ~ Vanessa, To Save a Life spotlight

Thank you sooo much Erika! These answers are so full of truth! I am loving your your book so far, and I think you all need to get yourself a copy!!!!!! Thanks again Erika! Autumn ~ Interview with Erika

I’m here to spotlight another pro-life novel, To Save a Life, releasing November 6. Life is an important issue to me. ~ Kelsey, To Save a Life Spotlight

To Save a Life is an exemplary novel. R. M. Peterson gave us the most powerful pro-life fiction story I’ve ever heard of, let alone read. ~ Grace, To Save a Life review

Wow! So many wonderful blog posts! A huge thank you to all of our bloggers who took the time to share, to post, to participate – to write for life.

And thank you also to those who have bought and/or preordered our books!

Now for the

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

The giveaway is over, and it’s time to see who won the Promise’s Prayer first edition signed paperback, To Save a Life ebook, and Resting Life sticker!

The Winner IS…

GRACE A. JOHNSON!

CONGRATULATIONS! We’ll be messaging you for your information to send you your prize!

COMING SOON! Stay tuned for the Official Release of To Save a Life by R.M. Peterson on November 6!

And don’t let honoring and respecting life stop here. Keep sharing. Keep fighting. Keep speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. Keep standing for truth. Keep clinging to Jesus Christ and His Word.

Until next time, keep writing for life.

Surprise! It’s the gorgeous cover for Memory’s Mind!⁠

Isn’t it so PERFECT for autumn?⁠
⁠
I can’t stop admiring it!⁠
⁠
This is the book on meditation I’ve been working on, and it’s both a very personal character journey for Kelton and it has more intrigue than the other Taerna books.⁠

• It releases January 21!⁠
• You can preorder it TODAY! and it’s 50% off right now!⁠
• Today is the LAST DAY you can get all five Taerna books for just $7.96! That’s $11 off the normal price!
• Promise’s Prayer is free today only!

ABOUT THE BOOK⁠
Kingdoms both heavenly and earthly demand his mind. No wonder he disappears for two hours each day.⁠

Nothing escapes Kelton’s notice, and nothing leaves his memory. Yet behind his big brown eyes lurk a lifetime of soul-struggles. At nineteen, Kelton receives Adon Olam’s call to leave everything behind and seek Him in solitude upon a hill belonging to a local hermit. Somehow, the more he fixes his mind upon Adon Olam, the more it wanders. During his years with the hermit, countless lessons and revelations shape his character. Over time, the answer to his biggest dilemma becomes both more clear and more impossible.⁠
Then the sudden death of co-king Daemien throws all Taerna into turmoil, and in the ensuing chaos, Kelton’s memories prove crucial and his hyper-analytical skills essential. But will his quiet, home-loving soul crumble under the pressure of public scrutiny? Will countless but seemingly harmless distractions inevitably win the battle for his thoughts? And will he ever feel like he knows Adon Olam?⁠

If you haven’t discovered the world of Taerna yet, you can start with Promise’s Prayer. It’s FREE today only! Or pick up the whole series today only for just $7.96! (regularly $18.95! That’s $11 saved!)

Thank you so much for attending this reveal party. Hop over to restinglife.com/signup for all the updates plus a free short story. And don’t forget to preorder the EBOOK and SIGNED PAPERBACK! The ebook is currently on sale for $1.99, but the price will go up to $3.99 soon, so don’t wait!

 May the blessings of the Lord be upon you today!

Oof! Liliora braced herself against the stone building as a solid body collided suddenly with hers. With one hand, she steadied the basket she held, and the other in­stinc­tively sought her stomach.

The brown-cloaked figure straightened, backing away, his head furtively darting back and forth. It was a boy—only a child.

Liliora rubbed her abdomen where his elbow had landed. His skidding around the corner certainly hadn’t done her middle any favors—not that her middle had been cooperating recently anyway. She’d been meaning to do something about these sharp pains.

Shifting the basket to her other arm, she stepped back from the wall as the boy edged towards it. He was whispering now. Liliora made out the murmured word.

“Help.” 

“Do you need something?” She glanced beyond to see if anyone had been following him. “Can I help?”

Startled, his brown eyes met her blue ones for the briefest instant before he vanished back around the cor­ner as quickly as he’d come.

“Strange.” Liliora readjusted the basket and stepped towards the road, pausing with a gasp as the shooting pain gripped her side once more. She needed to get this bread home quickly. Thankfully the Jaelrvens had plenty to spare this week—Mrs. Jaelrven’s small bakery was finally flourishing—so Liliora at least didn’t have to fuss with baking over the fire at home today.

Back in the log-encased living quarters, she thudded the basket down before collapsing onto a chair. “I really need to do something about this. It isn’t getting any bet­ter.”

“About what?” Father’s slate-colored head rose from the couch in the corner. 

“Just my stomach. Pains haven’t gone.” Liliora gritted her teeth. 

“You ought to tend to them, child.” Father’s sigh could be heard clear across the room.

“I know; I will. I have one more errand this morn­ing, then I’ll see what I can do. You know we have to pick up the pepper seeds now before it’s too late, and the Mercantile in town has them just in. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“You sure you can manage?” Kethin poked his head in, an axe swinging gently from his hand and sawdust clinging to his shirt. “I could do it once I finish this wood.”

“No, I’ll manage.” Liliora sucked in a breath. “This is nothing I haven’t handled before. Just see about the noon meal please, would you?”

“Of course.” Kethin disappeared, and the door thumped behind him.

Liliora leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a brief moment. If only she could relax…why did these pains insist on intruding at the worst times? Again she vainly scanned her memory: she hadn’t eaten any­thing unusual; she hadn’t exerted herself; she hadn’t been exposed to new smells; her bodily health and functions otherwise remained normal… What could have brought this on? Was something seriously wrong with her? 

Sighing, she rose and quietly slipped out the door. She might as well get this errand over with.

Business bustled more than usual at the Frydael Mercantile as she stepped inside. At the counter, several women chattered merrily about their gardens. Various neigh­bors from the village surveyed the Mercantile’s lat­est stock from the capital city of Syorien. Chickens squawked from cages somewhere out back, and sunlight played across the boarded floors from the A-shaped windows. Behind the counter, Mr. Raeson touched his heart as she entered.

All this she saw in a moment, then focused her gaze upon the pepper seeds at the end of the counter. After removing a small wooden bowl from her pocket, she shook some of the seeds into it, then wordlessly drew up to the counter to pay Mr. Raeson. 

“This be all for you today, Lili?” he asked, setting down the figures on his ledger.

“Yes, please,” she replied almost mechanically. “That is, no.” She pulled herself up, searching the store with her eyes. “One moment.”

Leaving the seeds on the counter, she darted to the medicinal wall. “RELIEF,” one packet proclaimed. “All manner of remedies,” another said. She scanned the rest of the labels: nothing specific, all general. Sighing, she selected three that seemed the most promising and car­ried them to the counter. “Yes, this will be all.” 

She suppressed another sigh and set down the pay­ment. Usually she enjoyed chatting with the townsfolk when she visited, but today every little thing seemed to affect her stomach. His beard—why did he leave it so unkempt? And the floor behind the counter—had it been swept this month? A crust of bread floated in the dusty corner, accompanied by clear signs that a mouse had been at work there. 

Liliora drew her eyes upward—anywhere, every­where but there. She automatically scanned the post board on the wall: announcements of town gatherings, public notices, news clippings from Syorien, the usual. The post board changed less often than Liliora came to town. 

A bright-yellow placard stuck squarely in the corner caught her attention. “Cures for ills and ailments, pains of stomach, troubles, disagreements, intruders, para­sites, unwellness, burdens weighing on your physical being: come visit Madame Togni for complete, simple, and quick relief. Healing for strange indispositions.”

Pains of stomach. The words stood out to Liliora as though written in letters of fire. Could this be what she needed? Could this Madame Togni be a physician who could finally pinpoint the cause of her ailments? 

Liliora sighed again. Who could be trusted these days? Nothing was as it appeared; everyone sought their own pleasure. Living in Frydael for all of her twenty-four years was a blessing: she knew and trusted her neighbors, and they knew and trusted her. Outside of her small social circle, the country beyond teemed with liars, de­ceivers, and criminals who would stop at nothing to further their own pleasures. And Madame Togni wasn’t a name she’d heard before.

“Adon Olam,” she whispered. “You must guide me. Heal me. Cause me to know what to do, whom to trust, what to decide…I just want to get rid of these pains. If this Madame Togni is who I need, lead me to her.”

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