Chapter 17
I round the curtain that separates Arina from the room, leaving the conversation with Ren and Twino behind.
Gregor snores heavily by the door, his massive frame somehow managing to look invulnerable even in sleep. Dark circles ring his eyes, leading me to wonder how late he stayed up “on guard.” If he really trusts these Worldkeepers. Or if old habits merely die hard.
“Some guard he is,” Ren says with a note of fondness.
I nudge Gregor with the toe of my boot. “All right, big guy, time to get up.”
Gregor wakes with a start, his hand immediately going to the deck strapped around his biceps. After a second, he gets his bearings and sighs. “Morning already?”
“Probably?” I shrug. “Hard to tell down here. But we should go to Vaduin.”
We four make our way back through the narrow passage that connects with the main room. For a second, I’m worried about leaving Arina undefended, but I force myself to go. There’s only one way in and out of that room, and I can watch it the entire time.
The main room is busier than it was yesterday.
More figures in dark clothing move about with silent efficiency.
At least their numbers inspire a little bit more confidence…
Boxes are moved in and out, suggesting some kind of job that I barely keep myself from inquiring about.
Vaduin is at the center table, giving orders.
“Ah…” He hums when he sees us approaching. “I trust you all slept well?”
“Well enough,” I answer for all of us.
“And did your sleep yield the clarity you sought on our offer?”
Twino is the first to speak. “We appreciate the invitation, but we decline.” He gestures between himself and Ren. “We’re getting out of this life entirely.”
Vaduin nods, unsurprised. “Where will you go? Do you need passage outside of Oricalis?”
“We’ll stay here for now,” Twino says, glancing at me. I give a slight nod.
I hope they stay longer than “for now.” Crew or not, they are still the closest thing I have to family other than Gregor and Arina.
“Then the offer remains, should you change your mind,” Vaduin says.
“Noted.” But nothing about Twino’s stance makes it seem like he’d ever take Vaduin up on it.
“I’m staying,” Gregor says simply. “I’m ready to see Oricalis burn, and I’m ready to be the one to help do it.” His conviction strikes me with the thought that there were two paths following Jura’s death: fleeing and vengeance. “And besides, someone needs to keep Clara from doing something stupid.”
I shoot him a sharp look. He just grins.
“Excellent. We look forward to teaching you our ways, and, should you prove worthy, you will earn your place among us.” Vaduin’s eyes shift to me, the most important of this lot to the Worldkeepers. “And you?”
The room stills. The other Worldkeepers pause what they’re doing, not making the slightest effort to hide that they’re hanging on my next words. I let out a soft sigh.
“I’ll do it.” I meet Vaduin’s gaze with conviction. “I’ll find what you’re missing for the ink, and then I’ll make the vessel so we can remake the world.”
Vaduin’s face lights up. “Good. Very good. We can continue to look after your sister while you’re back at the academy searching.”
“No.” The word comes out so fast and sharp that it nearly cuts him off. “She’s coming with me. She won’t be far from my side ever again. Gregor can be our go-between as needed since he’ll continue to work with you. Or I’ll give you updates myself, as we will both be in the academy.”
“It won’t be as if you can just stroll into my office.”
“If I can move around secretly, then I can find a way to get to you.”
Shock is written across Gregor’s features throughout this whole exchange. He was clearly trying to stay silent but can’t. “Not only are you going back to the academy, but you want to bring her back to the academy? To the man who broke you both?”
“That was not Kaelis,” I say firmly. “He had nothing to do with Arina’s torture. That was Ravin and Naethor. It’s always been them.”
“Clara—”
“And Kaelis will be none the wiser she’s there,” I continue, cutting off Gregor’s protest. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Gregor seems unconvinced. I can tell when he wants to say something more because he literally chews on his words. Something in my expression must convince him to hold his tongue as he finally gives a reluctant nod.
“Take her, then.” Vaduin shrugs, as if it’s of little concern to him. “But if something happens to her—remember that you made that choice.”
It’s clear he thinks this is a bad decision, as well. But I find myself unable to care what he thinks.
“There is something else I need your help with,” I say to Vaduin. Gregor mentioning the Majors yesterday reminded me of something. “I need you to help find Silas’s family.” I assume Vaduin knows who Silas is via Bristara, and he proves me right.
“We are already stretched thin,” Vaduin says warily.
“They’ve been tortured by Ravin, and their time is probably running out now that Silas is dead and they’ve outlived their usefulness to the prince.”
Vaduin frowns. “There are many people that Ravin and his sycophants are torturing. I’m sorry, but they aren’t our priority.”
Something in me deflates, and I struggle for a second to keep my posture.
He’s right. I swore to Silas I’d protect his family, right before I got him killed…
But my personal oaths don’t matter to the Worldkeepers and I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to do it myself while also taking on everything else.
“I’ll do it.” Gregor steps forward.
I meet his eyes, and we share a wordless exchange. One second, he can be fighting me on something, the next, he’s stepping up on my behalf.
“That…might work.” Vaduin strokes his chin in thought. “We usually give all our pages a task before they become full knights in our order. This could be yours. Find Silas’s family, rescue them, prove your skills, and we’ll make you a Worldkeeper.”
Gregor beams brightly, looking from Vaduin to me. As if I’ve somehow handed him something he was looking for without even knowing it.
“Done.” Gregor nods.
“One last thing,” I say to Vaduin.
“Of course there is,” he murmurs.
I ignore the remark. “If anything happens to my friends, or Silas’s family while Gregor is trying to help them, I will hold you personally responsible.”
Vaduin raises an eyebrow.
“You claim to have resources, contacts. Use them. Keep Ravin distracted while Gregor works, if you must. I don’t care how you do it, just make sure those I care about stay alive.”
“Clara,” Twino starts to protest, but I cut him off with a look.
“This is not negotiable,” I tell Vaduin. “You want my cooperation? Then you keep the people who matter most to me safe.”
Vaduin considers this for a long moment. “Very well. We’ll do what we can.”
“Good. Gregor, get Arina. We leave now.”