CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
But given the vows both Maia and I had taken, it seemed inappropriate to ask her to interpret my dreams for me. Instead I asked if any of the priestesses had magic, even though I knew what the answer would be.
Only men wield magic, Maia said.
Honestly, I had hoped that there would be one or two women at the temple who would be life mages. It would have made it much easier for me to find someone to bring back with me to Locris. I had no idea where the life mages were located in Troas or if they could be bribed.
Ignoring my disappointment, I asked, Then why do only women serve in the temple?
Discomfort flitted across her face and I wasn t sure why. Was it because she didn t have the answer, or was the answer the same as always-because of the crime Ajax the Locrian had committed?
You should return to your room. She handed me a small bundle. There s breakfast in there, so eat on your way back. Io will meet you there to show you where your classes will be.
Classes? I repeated. Like a school?
This is so much more than school. I think there are going to be a lot of surprises for you today. Will you be able to find your way to the dormitory?
I nodded because I had committed this place to memory during my tour with Io.
Maia promised to see me later, and I took the bundle she offered. Once I was outside the building, I opened it to find honeyed bars of dried fruit. This was like dessert in Locris, and they just served it as breakfast here. I didn t know if I would ever get used to having such a variety of food.
When I returned to my room, the door was slightly ajar and I heard the sound of a wooden stool being knocked over.
I pushed the door all the way open to find Suri alone. She was trying to put on one of her cloth bands, but I could see that it was slipping. Frustration was etched onto her face as it fell from her grasp and onto the floor.
Hurrying over, I picked up the band and held it out to her. Can I help you?
Suri looked panicked, hiding her bare right arm behind her body.
Something very important was happening in this moment, and I didn t know what it was. I let the bundle I carried drop onto her bed. We re sisters now, remember? I will stay quiet if that is your wish.
Her indecision was obvious as she fidgeted for several moments before finally offering me her arm.
Old, deep scars covered all of her skin. Did someone do this to you? I demanded.
She shook her head.
Are you a warrior? A soldier? Did they have female warriors in Ilion?
Again, a no.
Understanding dawned on me as I realized that the scars were in a row. As if they d been done methodically. Deliberately.
Suri had done this to herself and she hid it from everyone. That was why she wrapped her arms.
Oh, I breathed. You re a survivor.
The unshed tears in her eyes were bright as she nodded. I wished she could tell me who had hurt her so that I could track him down. I decided that every man in Ilion should be shoved into a bonfire.
I took the cloth band and helped wrap it around her arm, tying it off at the end. I could see that it had probably been very difficult for her to do on her own every day, having to use her nondominant hand to tie it shut. If you ever need help with this again, I would be happy to do it.
Suri nodded and let her arm drop.
Do the others know? I asked.
No.
I know it isn t my place to say anything, given that I just got here, but I think you could trust them with this. They wouldn t judge you. You don t have to cover up if you don t want to.
She pressed her lips together and looked down at the floor. My heart went out to her. Then I heard Demaratus s voice in my head telling me that they were trying to deceive me, to wear me down in order to get information, lure me in with a false sense of security by befriending me, but that was inane. Why would they? What information did I have that they would want? They had no reason to use me, because as far as they knew, I had nothing to offer them.
They love you, I added. That much was obvious-how the four girls had already bonded to each other long before we d taken vows as a group. And I can see how much you care about them. I know that you would do anything to protect them.
Yes . Then she pointed a finger at me, as if questioning whether I would do the same.
My intent yesterday had been to use these girls if necessary to achieve my own ends. Betray them if I had to. But in a single day, everything had completely changed and I wasn t exactly sure why.
I already have, I told her. I had defended Io when Artemisia verbally attacked her, and I would do it again. I would place myself in the line of danger for any member of my adelphia.
Satisfied, she nodded.
Do you still do it? I asked.
No.
That was good. I was glad she wasn t hurting herself any longer.
I won t tell anyone unless you give me permission, I said.
Her face was very expressive and easy to read. Although she didn t say the words, it was obvious she was grateful.
I m here if you want to talk . . . I let my voice trail off as I realized how strange my offer sounded. Well, I suppose you won t want to talk things through.
A slight smile.
But if you ever want someone to sit with you in silence, I m here. And if you want someone to jabber at you relentlessly, I can go get Io.
She rewarded me with a real smile, the first I d gotten from her since yesterday. It spread, lighting up all of her features.
I had gotten through to her. My plan would have worked. I could have worn them all down, convinced them to trust me, and then discarded them when I no longer needed them.
But that wasn t going to happen.
Again that feeling that I could trust them crashed into me.
Io entered the room. Good morning, Suri and Lia! Did you enjoy your tutorial with Maia?
She had a knapsack and dumped the contents onto her bed. Several scrolls fell out and one kept rolling right off the bed and over to my feet. I picked it up and turned it over and saw a wax seal with a leaf imprint on one side.
The symbol of the goddess.
Interesting. What is this?
Io held out her hand and I gave her back the scroll. I ve been promoted. Letter bearer. It s now my responsibility to collect the letters every morning from Theano and deliver them to the messenger in a few hours.
Do you go into her office to get them? I asked. Did I sound casual? Bored? It was what I was aiming for.
Because even if my instincts were pushing me to bring my sisters in on my plan, I couldn t do it. I couldn t risk being wrong and having one of them betray me out of loyalty to the temple.
No. They re kept in a basket outside of her office.
Her words were at first disappointing, and then confusing. Wait, Theano can read and write? Wasn t that forbidden here?
It s obviously necessary for the high priestess. She has to run the entire complex.
Who taught her?
Io shrugged. She s been here a long time. She could have brought in a tutor to learn.
How long has she been high priestess?
I m not certain. I could ask. Io let out a little laugh. Do you always question everything?
Yes. It s my nature.
She was still smiling as she told me, You don t have to have all the answers.
I m afraid that I do.
Io was laughing at my reply as Zalira and Ahyana came into the room. Kunguru landed on the windowsill and announced his presence before flying over to settle on Ahyana s shoulder.
The others began to greet and chat with one another and I thought about the fact that Io was in charge of sending letters. I had no idea what information my parents had been given, what sorts of lies, half truths, and gossip had already reached the Locrian shore. Did they think both Quynh and I were alive? Both dead? Did they know that one of us had made it? Would they know which one?
I supposed that part didn t matter. They would be destroyed either way.
My heart ached so hard that I put a hand over my chest. Not only for the loss of my sister, but for the pain that the rest of my family was currently feeling.
And would continue to feel for a long time.
I wanted to get word to them that I had lived. That might bring them some comfort. But I had no idea how to do it.
Io s new position had initially made me think that maybe I could take advantage of it-sneak a letter in with the others.
But there would be too many risks there. Io might notice. I did not have wax or a seal-it would stand out.
And if it was addressed to the royal palace in Locris? I might as well paint a giant sign on the side of the temple announcing my lineage to the entire world.
Especially since Theano was the one who hired the messenger. It would be obvious where his loyalties would lie.
No, the best course of action for getting in touch with my parents would be to travel back to the docks and find a Locrian sailor that I could entrust with a message. Nothing could be written down where it might possibly be traced back to me.
Do you ever go into the city? I asked abruptly, interrupting the conversation where Ahyana and Zalira had been teasing Io about her new job.
Why would we? Ahyana asked. It isn t safe.
But you said that you went out with Daphne to work on some burned trees, I said directly to Io. Was I misremembering that?
That s different. We were in a very large group and only went under Theano s specific direction. Like Ahyana said, Troas isn t safe. Not like the temple.
I stifled a groan. If there were no approved excursions, I was going to have to sneak out and risk getting caught.
Tonight. After the others had gone to bed, I would find my way to the docks.
All I would have to do was what Jason had sung and follow the blue lines on the labyrinth walls.
More images of him from my dreams filled my mind, him dragging his lower lip along my thigh, questing for-
Lia? Io said. Did you hear me?
Letting out a shaky breath, I said, No. I m sorry. What were you saying?
That you need to get changed.
From one black tunic to another? I glanced down at myself. Why? I didn t get that dirty today.
Io went over to the large wooden cabinet where everyone hung their spare tunics and cloaks. For what s next. Here, I hemmed this for you this morning.
I took the black tunic from her and held it up. It was extremely short, which surprised me. What is this for?
Training, Io replied.
I was confused. Do I need to be taught the correct way to lay down fertilizer for the flowers?
Suri grinned at me while Zalira rubbed her hands together with delight. It s not that kind of training.