Chapter 65 #2
“No…Let him think he’s won. It’ll divert his attention.
He still thinks Naethor has the golden cards.
” Assuming he can’t sense they’re fakes.
But if he could, he would’ve already made a move, surely…
“He’ll focus on finding the Star, and we both know that won’t work out well for him. As for the vessel, I’ll make another.”
“How? The citadel and its altar are destroyed; we both know there’s no way it survived.”
“I know. But this academy is an extension of the citadel.” I try to project confidence, though it’s only theory.
“The font of the World here contains liquid identical to what I used for the vessel’s ink.
The main hall mirrors the altar’s design.
The similarities are undeniable. I think I can use the font of the World to make another vessel. ”
He sighs. “Not as if we have alternatives.”
“However…I’ll need to get more material to turn into powder for the ink.” I’ve been avoiding this ever since I began to entangle myself with Kaelis. But at every turn, it haunts me. Looms. Reminding me of the greatest mystery I’ve willfully left unsolved. “I need to go to Clan Hermit.”
He freezes. I watch him carefully, waiting for any tells. Vaduin is more guarded than I’ve ever seen him. “I’ll come with you.”
“Why?”
“Because I know the way.”
I give him a dumb look. “The path to find a giant hole in the ground is not hard. It’s literally on maps.”
“It is forbidden by the crown to go there. You might need assistance navigating it.”
“It’s a hole in the ground,” I repeat flatly. “Clan Hermit was destroyed years ago. Nothing remains but rubble.” And perhaps traces of reversed cards I need for the vessel’s ink. “How well guarded could it be?”
“It was destroyed not that long ago…” He stares out the window, his features twisting with an emotion I can’t read.
“Long enough. Oricalis has no use for it now; it’s a crater most people fear to even mention, let alone visit. Multiple people poking around would draw more suspicion than a single person who could slip through any patrols—if there are any.”
“Clan Hanged Man claimed most of Hermit’s territory and considers itself ‘keeper’ of what remains.
They’re fiercely loyal to Oricalis, and the crown wants any mention of Hermit buried.
Their judges never miss a chance to interfere.
” His voice carries bitter experience. He’s tried to go, I’m sure of it.
Was he successful? And is he trying to return?
“Which is why I will go alone.” I repeat myself with finality.
“Can you take the Chariot?”
I shake my head. “The Chariot only works for places you’ve seen with your own eyes. I can use it to get back, but not there.”
“It’s at least a two-day journey one way.”
“I’ll go right after All Coins Day. Classes are quieter before prep for the Three of Swords Trials really begins.”
He considers this. “It might look too suspicious for you to leave right after what’s happened…”
“We’ll keep things quiet and not make a fuss about it. I’ll go on one of the days I’m off from classes anyway.” The more I think about it, the clearer the plan becomes. “We’ll say I’m ill. Nothing serious. I’ll act like I have a bit of a cough during All Coins Day.”
Vaduin sighs, runs a hand through his hair, then nods. “Very well.”
“You’re my superior; you can excuse my absence. The headmaster will approve.” I step back and raise my voice, summoning all eyes to me. “We don’t have time to waste; we need to get moving.”
We lay Gregor to rest in a chamber facing Eclipse City.
Even though I sealed the window with stone, I like to think that, in a way, he has a view of the only home he’s ever known.
I wish he wasn’t alone. That I could place him next to his sister’s grave, or Jura’s…
But that’s not something I can offer him. This will have to suffice.
Afterward, we retreat to Arina’s room. Ferier is there with Thal. The latter stays at Arina’s bedside as Ferier emerges and learns of what happened. I split away from the group of Worldkeepers—Vaduin, Ferier, Xora, Vacelle, Drakon, and Ordin—to check on my sister.
“It sounds like you were busy this morning,” Thal says without looking my way. They’re brushing Arina’s hair with movements so gentle that it doesn’t stir her from her slumber.
I don’t respond; the words have dried up. It’s too much to summarize. The wounds are too fresh.
As if reading the pain in my features, Thal stops their movements and stands. “I should go and get ready for All Coins Day.”
With that, they leave. I don’t even have the strength to mumble a “thank you” before they’re gone. I settle carefully on the bed’s edge. Arina finally stirs, eyes now opening without the panic that once consumed her waking moments. She searches the room before her focus narrows on me.
“Hey…” I smooth her hair with trembling fingers.
“Gregor…” How do I speak this truth to someone who’s endured so much?
I cover my mouth, turning away as fresh tears blur my vision.
Better she know than wonder why he no longer comes around.
Better to hear it from me than from anyone else. I choke back a sob. “Gregor is dead.”
I keep staring out the window like a coward, unable to face her reaction.
“You’re all I have left of my family now.
” The words pour from me. “I know I have no right to ask anything of you, I know you’re doing all you can, but…
please come back to me. I can’t do this alone.
I know there are others around me, but I’ve only just met them.
Only just learned to trust them. You’re different from the rest—from everyone else in this whole world.
You’re…you. My flesh and blood. And I fucking need you, sister. ”
Tears flow freely down my cheeks. I’m crying so hard I don’t notice her movement until gentle hands cup my face, turning me toward her. The clarity in her eyes stops my breath.
“It will be all right, Clara.” For the first time in what feels like years, she speaks in full sentences without the influence of the Sun, far more than the bare essentials we’ve grown accustomed to.
Fresh tears spill over my cheeks as she offers a tired but genuine smile. “I’m here. I will never leave you.”
I pull her into a crushing embrace, and we weep together—for Gregor, for all we’ve lost, and for the faint hope that we hold on to as tightly as we cling to each other.