CHAPTER 14 #2
Echon tutted. “It’s no use breaking your hand again, mortal.
You may be under the protection of the Trials, but do not forget that birds who fly too high get their wings clipped.
The third Trial waits to conquer you all, and if you do not die during the second challenge, you will most surely meet the sticky end you deserve on Cosanus.
” He leaned closer to whisper, “I, for one, can’t wait to see the look on Kilian’s face when another one of his precious mortals meets death. ”
Echon whistled an upbeat tune as he strode away, hands in his pockets, leaving me white-knuckled as I turned his words over.
As soon as he had left the courtyard, I spun on my heel, marching back to Pyxis with renewed determination. I approached the scholar at the reception, giving her my best smile.
“Could you please point me toward information on Cosanus?”
Echon was a fucking idiot. In trying to scare me, he had given me the one tool for survival: knowledge.
The scholar did not appear surprised by the request, and I understood why when she said, “First floor.”
Rayna’s group had been conducting research on the first floor.
Echon was Rayna’s instructor. Perhaps he had let slip the same information to her.
I thanked the scholar, hurrying up the staircase to where Rayna’s group were sprawled in various armchairs throughout the shelves.
I ignored the men, scanning the floor for her.
Her eyes flickered up to meet mine as I beelined toward her and said, “Cosanus.”
She sat up straighter. “You’ve found something?”
“Not quite.”
Her brows drew together. “Then why are you here?”
“I know we’re not friends,” I started. “But I’ve just had a lovely chat with your instructor outside. He’s delightful, by the way. He mentioned that the third Trial takes place on Cosanus. I’ve never heard of it before. I was hoping you could explain?”
“Gods.” Rayna let out a disappointed sigh. “I thought you had managed to find out some information. We’ve been up here all morning researching and there’s hardly any mention of it.”
I gave her a confused look. “But the scholar said–”
“Yeah. She also told us to look on this floor. But the books here mainly contain the history of Tarlor. I’ve gone down to ask her for more specific guidance on where to search, but either she doesn’t know, or she’s been advised against helping us further.
” Rayna reached for a tome on the floor beside her, rifling through it until she found the page she was looking for.
“This is the only place it’s been mentioned so far. ”
I tilted my head and read the single sentence on the yellowed parchment: “‘Before the elven, and long before the creation of the mortals, it is said that a land rich in magic existed, and it was called Cosanus.’ That’s it?”
Rayna nodded. “But look who that line is quoted from.” Her index finger rested beside the name: Augustine Devior, former scholar of the Great Library of Kraventhorn, current historian and curator of Theology at the Dalhur Institute of Precious Data (DIPD).
“Thank you,” I said.
“Don’t thank me yet. We’re not friends, but it doesn’t mean I want to see you dead. Don’t be distracted by the second Trial,” Rayna warned. “They want us preparing for it instead of focusing on the third one. That’s the one where we’re all going to die.”
I returned to the fifth floor, the information churning in my head.
Lana and Moric had not changed position since I left, the latter’s head still buried in a thick book.
Lana glanced up when I rounded the corner, instantly picking up on whatever apprehension was lurking on my face. “What happened?”
I perched on the armrest of her chair and told them everything Echon and Rayna had said.
Lana’s eyes grew wide. “I haven’t heard of Cosanus. Have you?”
Moric shook his head, but I could tell he was considering something. “The only person who seems to have any knowledge about it is Augustine.”
I nodded. “But he works at the DIPD and most likely lives in Dalhur. We have zero chance of making our way across Lomask and into Dalhur before the third Trial.”
Lana stood so quickly the book on her lap fell to the ground. She ignored it, though, wild excitement flickering in her eyes. “We might not need to. Come on.”
She didn’t look behind to make sure we were following as she hurried across the floor to the winding staircase, taking the steps downstairs two at a time.
Her face was flushed as she led us to the bulletin board at the reception, her voice feverish as she said, “I stopped by Pyxis the other day to read up on the Rite, and I happened to see this. Look.”
She pointed to one of the black and white leaflets tacked near the top of the board.
A photo of a handsome man holding a book filled the square.
In neat type above the image, the headline read: Augustine Devior on his latest book: Tarlor Through the Ages.
And at the bottom: Join us on the fourth floor of Pyxis, Lomask at twelve pm on the fifteenth day of the ninth month for a special author signing with Augustine Devior, to celebrate the launch of his new book.
“Lana,” I said. “You’re a fucking genius.”
Calendula was seated on my desk by the time I returned from dinner.
“How much trouble did you get into?” I winced apologetically.
“Enough,” the shadow sprite said. “I can’t give you any more information about Elena, so don’t bother asking. And if you want to go drinking at shady taverns, please take me. I would have happily accompanied you yesterday. You needn’t lie.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” I produced three strawberries, setting them down before her. A peace offering.
I noticed then that she was sitting on a small page that had not been there before I left. “What’s that?”
“Oh.” Calendula stood, dusting off her dark gown. Silver sparks flickered from her like ash, sifting through the air to land on the page. “It’s from Kilian. He asked me to make sure you read it.”
“I really don’t want to.”
“I’ll get into more trouble if you don’t.”
I gave her a defeated look, well aware that she was manipulating me. I reached for the page, dusting the embers off as the sprite nibbled at the first strawberry.
Lirah,
I wanted to speak to you today, but I have been called back to
Greyhaven on urgent business.
I will be back on the evening of the second challenge.
Try to stay alive. There is much we still have to discuss.
Yours,
Kilian.
Yours.
Mine.
I folded the note and slipped it beneath my pillow.