40. Chapter 40 #3
“We can’t help it that a group of extremists polluted our beliefs,” Paige continued, not backing down.
“Graevick’s Followers would be the next course of action.
And don’t you think it’s odd that the High Priestess who is in charge of the archives is Ariadne herself?
Think about how this can help the sisters!
” Paige exasperatedly flung her arms out wide as she pointed a finger in my direction.
“Of course I’ve seen the connection with Ariadne. We all have,” Fyom all but spat.
We had drawn the parallels days ago, of Ariadne being the High Priestess who just so happened to guard all the texts we would ever need to unravel this puzzle—but it didn’t explain how she had remained hidden in plain sight for so long and still looked so young.
We could only assume she dabbled in a form of blood magic herself, since her appearance remained youthful.
And then there was Vovias. How did he fit into all this?
Had it simply been greed, or was there more to it?
“We don’t know if the High Seven Temple even has it after all these years!”
The two continued arguing as Uriah and I watched from our spots.
Something about Graevicks seemed to unnerve Fyom more than a group of fanatics with a spoiled view on Wielding should.
It was true they practiced with blood magic, which was viewed as spitting at the giants’ feet by tainting their given power.
A disgrace. To use your own blood meant you relied on your own pride to enhance what was freely given.
That and the illicitus were viewed as forbidden.
But the exchange they were having was more than that. It felt deeper somehow.
“It’s just another piece of text that has gone on as a rumor. If it indeed existed, then the people would know more about it. If the Scholars still existed, then none of this would have happened!”
“You know that’s not true! We know through other sources that Deric had his reasons. He was a private man.”
“And probably a lunatic.”
“He was our first king after the Original War happened. So much weight was on his shoulders. Everyone who knew and has written about Deric Endromeon knows he didn’t make a move without intent!”
My heart fluttered wildly the more I listened.
During my time at the High Seven Temple, there were brief mentionings of a Deric who’d written a memoir about the events when our magic broke, but I had never heard there was a connection between him being the same Deric who formed our family’s royal line.
How could I have missed such a vital piece?
Uriah spoke up softly, seemingly not wanting to stoke more anger in his father. “They could have the journal hidden. Protected. If they did, they would guard it with their life, like other Graevick artifacts. And I know she would have access to it.”
“And you truly believe she would just hand it over?” From where I sat, Fyom’s ire was palatable. Whoever they spoke of was on a side of his I vowed to never find myself on.
“Well, no. Maybe. I don’t know. She has her good and bad days,” Uriah said.
Paige sighed. “It would also be good if Malko saw you. It’s been over a decade…”
“That was his decision,“ Fyom seethed.
“She’s right.” Uriah spoke next. “He still mentions you from time to time. Still a pain in the ass, but you come up in casual conversation.”
The look on Fyom’s face pained me to watch. Flickers of bitterness and longing and heartbreak all morphed together before settling on a blank resolve.
“Who knows if they would even tell us the truth about the journal’s whereabouts? They’re full of deception.” Fyom sighed and collapsed in a nearby chair, holding his head in his hands. “Every last one of them.”
Moments passed in silence before Uriah spoke up. “I can go then… I can—“
“No,” Fyom said more softly.
Heavy steps echoed outside the door, which swung open to reveal Peiro and Sury, both lost in a conversation as Ora followed behind. Their backs stiffened the moment they entered the study and took in the tension that held thick in the room.
Peiro studied me like he was looking for injuries. I quietly shook my head to ease his concern before he took another step inside the room. “What’s going on?”
Paige didn’t hesitate to answer. “We’re at a dead end.”
“And it looks like inquiring with a Graevick is the next step,” Uriah softly added.
“What does that mean?” Ora and Sury said in unison, the former looking at me with hard questions written in her expression.
Peiro’s eyes widened as they stared at Fyom, who still sat with his head in his hands. “Are you sure? To her?”
“We would lose precious time making the trek back toward my grove.”
“You’ve lived close to them? This whole time?” Ora asked.
“Yes, and to my unknown folly. Their pestilent nest is south of my cabin. Maybe a three or four-day walk.”
I spoke next. “What if Ora and I refracted there? We’re getting stronger.” Uriah groaned and mumbled about getting sick. “Maybe if you showed us on a map where to go, we could refract us all there to visit whoever this is you are speaking of?”
Paige and Uriah looked to Fyom for the final word.
After an extended pause, Fyom lifted his head with defeat written in his eyes. “Fine. But we leave in the morning.”