19. Chapter Nineteen #2
Other than those closest to me, no one knew I was Marked.
The design, now extending from my wrist to my shoulder, was unique and unmistakable.
And with it now up to my shoulder and embedded with the symbol of my God, everyone would understand that I was now Worthy.
The only way the citizens even knew that the Trial had begun was from the Sages or from announcements of a new Lord or Lady.
Now that I was Worthy, I didn’t have to worry about covering my mark anymore .
I held my head high and kept my eyes forward as I made my way to Morah. I would not cower in fear of the Lords and Ladies. I would not hide what I had accomplished.
Let them see that I am Worthy.
I had never heard so much noise within the walls of Morah.
Scholars surrounded me the moment I entered, congratulating me and asking question after question.
I tried to walk further into the library but they wouldn’t let me pass, the excitement at one of their Roav having returned Worthy consuming them and causing them to forget their usual calm disposition.
I smiled and returned their loving gestures of greeting, appeasing their questions as best I could.
I was leaning forward, trying to listen to one of the young Scholars asking about the geographical details of the Woltawa Forest, when the crowd began to part down the middle.
Eamon emerged from between the Scholars, grinning from ear to ear, and he swept me into an embrace, lifting me to the tips of my toes.
He set me down and released me, his eyes glistening with unshed tears of joy.
He looked at the crowd around us. “Please, everyone. I know we are all eager to speak with Kya and learn from her. I can assure you that each of the field chiefs will get the information and will relay it to you for your work through our proper protocol. But for now, let this Roav have a moment to catch her breath.”
They all bowed their heads in respect before dispersing back to their sections throughout the library. Eamon turned to me and grabbed my hands, squeezing them firmly between us, his smile so wide that his eyes squinted.
“Kya…you did it. I knew you would. I am so proud of you, child.”
I was smiling just as wide. “Thank you, Eamon. I’m glad to be back.”
“Come, come! I will gather the field chiefs. I know you must be exhausted, but we need to debrief you while it’s still fresh in your memory.” He threw out his arm, gesturing toward the stairs leading to his study.
Not that I could forget so soon.
I nodded and followed but quickly stopped as my eyes caught sight of a dark-skinned male at the base of the staircase rushing toward me.
My breath caught in my throat as he approached and I let out a squeal of delight as Nikan lifted me into his broad arms and spun, his face buried in the crook of my neck.
“I’ll meet you in my office soon.” Eamon called over his shoulder as he ascended the stairs, leaving Nikan and I to reunite.
Nikan set me down and brought his calloused hands to my face. I tilted my head to look up at his striking blue eyes. His curly black hair was shorter than the last time I saw him, now close-cropped to his head. His tall form held me close as he smiled down at me.
“I’m sorry, Kya. We left things on such bad terms, and I hated myself for it. I had to go to Bhara before you returned from your last mission then it was straight to Oryn from there. I didn’t get the chance to make things right before you went into the Trial.”
My brother moved his hands to my shoulders and held me at arms length. “And look at you!” He looked at my arm and beamed. “You’re a Worthy! And all in one piece, thank the Gods.”
Tears threatened to spill, and I blinked rapidly to keep them away. I missed him desperately and I had been worried that he would still be upset with me. Relief flooded through me, and it was almost too much to bear.
I laughed a sob, “I’m sorry too, Nik. But I’m so happy to see you.”
He brought me into a warm hug and I returned it, wrapping my arms around his muscled torso. I was feeling so much. Too much. The Trial, Njall, becoming Worthy, magic I was unsure about, Kleio’s demand, Nikan’s forgiveness. I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Gripping the back of his shirt tightly, I buried my face in my brother’s shoulder and quietly sobbed.
He tensed for a second before realizing what was happening, then relaxed, brushing the back of my head with his hand.
He had always been my anchor, the one that would be there to comfort and protect me, to help me pick up the pieces of myself.
Though he was only thirteen years older than me, he took it upon himself to care for Malina and I like a parental figure, having lost his own parents as well as his little sister to the Glaev.
He continued his soothing strokes until I fully released my emotions, soaking his beige shirt. I released him and wiped the wetness from my face.
He gave me a soft smile. “It’ll be okay. You’re not alone.” His repeated words from when I would cry as a child warmed my heart and I smiled again.
“I know. Thank you.” I released a shaky breath.
He nodded once. “We should go to Eamon now. He’ll be anxious to hear all about the Trial. Hasn’t stopped talking about it since I got back.” He huffed a laugh at the last part.
I could picture Eamon going on and on about what he thought was happening as he paced back and forth in his study.
“When did you get back?” We walked side-by-side toward the stone staircase.
“The day after you left for the Temple of Odes.” We ascended the stairs to the level that held the High Scholar’s study.
“I was in Oryn and planned to meet with Lord Ryker, with the Sage and Scholar that traveled with me, but when we arrived, we were told that he had departed for the Trial initiation. I knew that meant you would be leaving soon as well…” He paused for a moment.
“I was so angry with you before that moment, but once I realized you’d be going to the Trial before I could see you, I regretted our last conversation and wished I could have taken it back. ”
I looked to the floor and muttered, “I shouldn’t have said that to you. You were right to call me out. I know you were just trying to look out for me.”
Nikan and I had argued before he left on a mission, about me always going off on jobs alone and being reckless with my actions, taking justice into my own hands.
He was right of course, I cared little for my safety then.
Not when I had thought I might die during the Trial anyway, and I wanted to rid the world of at least some of its filth before I did.
Nikan had told me I was too brash and reckless, and I told him that he was too controlling, too uptight, and that he would never have the right to tell me what to do—but I did it in a degrading way.
I was in the wrong with how I approached it and I knew it.
I overreacted and regretted it the moment the words came out, but I was also too stubborn to admit that at the time.
I knew that he wasn’t being controlling, just protective, as always.
It was something that he had never seen as an issue when it came to me and Malina.
He had taken it upon himself to be responsible for us but he often took it too far.
But other times, he was right. We were the only ones he had left, and he wanted to protect us—even if it was from ourselves.
“I got your letter. We were both on edge and were too harsh in the moment. You obviously don’t need me to look out for you. You are more than capable of taking care of yourself.” He jutted his chin out, gesturing to my Worthy mark.
“I didn’t do it alone.” My lips thinned into a sad smile.
My voice was solemn, thinking of Njall. Nikan nodded but he didn’t say any more on the subject as we slipped through the open door to the study and were ushered to the sitting area where Eamon waited.
Nikan and I sat across from the High Scholar.
I relaxed into the tufted chair and relished in the familiar smell of the study and the sounds of rustling paper of books from the Scholars working in the library.
Eamon waved the waiting field chiefs, head Scholars of their sections, into the room.
They each sat at the large table on the other side of the room and laid out parchment and paper.
They knew not to speak or ask questions, as not to influence my recollection, and to only take notes as I disclosed the events of the Trial.
I didn’t know how to feel about now being a part of the history that I had read so much about.
But I knew that this was important and I would do it no matter what, for them.
Eamon leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees with a soft smile. “So, tell us. How did Kya, the daughter of no Nation, become Worthy of the Gods?”