20. Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty
Kya
E amon, Nikan, and the Scholars quietly listened as I told them of everything that had taken place during the Trial.
I started from when I arrived at the Temple grounds, describing all who were in attendance as best as I could.
I summarized the first task, the Test of Loyalty, detailing notable contestants and what I saw, heard, and felt inside the Rip as well as the riddle and how I had written it on my arm in my blood—though now permanently committed to my memory.
A few of the Scholars gasped as I told of the brutal attack from the males when I first arrived.
I told them of working with Njall—skipping over the moments of sharing a branch together.
Once I had told them of the river creature that attacked me, they informed me that it was a newly discovered beast and as its unfortunate discoverer, I was allowed to name it—Nagasai.
A few of them tensed when I relayed the attack of the Lurvinea, the thorned vines, and how it dragged Njall into suffocating mists.
I told them of the male that was used as bait by the failed female and assumed dead male.
Dinner had been served in the study and I continued while we ate—I nearly inhaled it, completely famished.
Eamon’s eyes reflected pride when I briefed them on how we solved the riddle and found the map glowing within the side of the mountain.
I went into as much detail on the map as I remembered, drawing it as best as I could.
The Scholars and Eamon copied it down once I was finished.
I blinked back tears as I told of the male attacking Njall and I.
And when I was taken by Kleio just as I had leapt in front of the arrow, and the voice that spoke.
Confused looks passed around the room, but still no one uttered a single word while I finished telling them of Hylithria, Kleio’s task, the Test of Fate at the Galadynia mirror, and Odarum, my Spirit animal.
I kept the bond to myself, knowing it was to be unknown to those that were not Worthy.
Though I wanted to tell them, it didn’t feel right.
I finished off describing the challenges and the new Worthy that were announced.
I let out a sigh of relief when Eamon dismissed the Scholars and we were alone with Nikan. I slouched in my seat, my arms hanging over the side, and I looked up to the ceiling.
“I don’t think I’ve ever spoken that much at one time. My face hurts.” I stretched out my jaw.
“I don’t think you’ve spoken that much, period,” Nikan huffed, his arms were crossed over his chest, leaning against the back of the chair.
I glanced at Eamon, whose face was pinched in thought and staring in the distance.
“Eamon? Are you alright?” It was unlike him not to join in our banter.
He blinked rapidly before meeting my stare. “Apologies. I just can’t stop thinking about what Kleio said to you.” My previously good mood dampened as the worries of reality rushed back into me.
“It can’t be a coincidence,” Eamon whispered, seemingly more to himself than to us.
“What isn’t a coincidence?” Nikan’s eyes narrowed as we both sat up.
Eamon shook his head. “Kleio said that the Glaev is not what it seems. Correct?”
I nodded.
“We have never known what the Glaev truly is, but the most common theory, from those that have studied it, is that it’s some kind of unexplainable disease.
However, there was one earlier theory several decades ago from a Scholar named Rolim Fawarin in Torx, that the Glaev was the result of a kind of magic not of this realm. ”
My eyebrows raised. “Like magic from the Gods? Or Spirits? What made him think it was magic and not a disease?”
“I don’t know, and no one else knows the full extent of the theory either. He died and, we had thought that the information had died with him.”
“ Had thought? You no longer think this?” I tilted my head slightly.
Eamon grinned widely. “Yes.”
He stood and retrieved a scroll of parchment from his desk before returning and laying it out on the table between us.
“A few weeks ago, we received word that a book in an unknown language mysteriously appeared, and that this anonymous founder was willing to sell it to Morah.” We all knew that was code for ‘most likely stolen’ and Nikan and I gave Eamon a knowing look that he didn’t seem to notice.
“The interesting part was that when it was examined for authenticity, there were pages of notes tucked into the creases written in the common tongue.”
“What does any of this have to do with Kya finding out the truth of the Glaev?” Nikan interrupted. I understood his impatience, the High Scholar had a habit of rambling.
“I was getting to that,” Eamon scoffed then cleared his throat to continue. “Several of the inserted pieces of parchment were inscribed with the author’s initials: R.F.” He pointed to the intake record in front of him, detailing the notes within the book.
My mouth fell open when I realized what he was insinuating, and Eamon smiled, noting my expression.
“Would you like to take a guess on where the book was found?” he prodded.
“Torx,” I muttered.
“Exactly.” He leaned back and crossed his arms with a pleased expression on his face.
“And the notes in this book contain Rolim’s theory about the Glaev?” Nikan asked skeptically.
“Erm, well, we’re not entirely sure. That was the next part I was getting to.”
“Please do.”
“Right. Well, the book arrived at Morah only a few days ago, and it had not yet had the chance to be properly examined. It was placed in the linguists’ department initially to see if they could decipher the language, they didn’t recognize it.”
“So we need to examine it,” I said. Seemed simple enough and I understood then why Eamon thought all this a coincidence.
“We can’t.” Eamon sighed heavily. “The book, and the notes within it, were stolen last night.”
I flinched when Nikan jumped out of his seat.
“What?” he yelled. “Why didn’t you tell me immediately? I could have tracked them down.” The stone hearth next to us cracked when Nikan hands curled into fists.
“Nik,” I warned.
“It’s alright, Kya.” Eamon held up his hand and Nikan sat down, his breathing heavy, I could scent the rage emitting from him.
“The Scholars didn’t realize it until this morning and told me shortly after they confirmed it was missing.
And before you ask, yes, they were certain that it was in its proper place when they left it last night.
I didn’t have the chance to tell you before Kya arrived. ”
“I’m sorry, Eamon.” Nikan bowed his head.
A moment passed as we took in this information.
My mind was reeling. I couldn’t understand how anyone could have done this or why.
Not to mention how they knew about the book when it hadn’t even been fully cataloged yet.
It had to be because of the seller. No Scholar would have given out this information without understanding the full extent of the book’s contents.
“How do you know the notes are about the Glaev being a magic theory? You said that it hadn’t been fully processed,” I questioned.
“One of the intake Scholars flipped through the notes to try to see if they could find a translation for the title, and he noticed a phrase that was mentioned several times: dark magic.”
“‘Dark magic’? What is that?”
“I have no idea. However, I do plan to look into it tomorrow, but we need that book back. It would help you discover the truth behind the Glaev, if this theory has any merit whatsoever,” Eamon said, shaking his head.
“Alright, let me rest for the night and I’ll start tracking it down in the morning at first light.” I sighed. I so desperately wanted more than a single night to recuperate, but the longer I waited, the harder it would be to find. This was my job as a Roav.
“I’m coming with you,” Nikan demanded.
“Excuse me? No. Out of the question,” I snapped.
“Kya, obviously it was someone extremely skilled. And most likely a team. They were able to enter Morah, take the book, and leave completely undetected. That’s never happened before.”
“For the love of Nox, Nik, I can handle them. I’m a Worthy for fuck’s sake.” I stuck out my arm, gesturing to the mark extending up to my shoulder. “You just want to get your hands on the little bastards.” I crossed my arms and glared at him.
“You’re damn right I do. And you’re out of your mind if you think I’m not coming along.”
“Enough.” Eamon’s deep voice rumbled.
I stuck my tongue out at Nikan and he rolled his eyes.
“Kya,” The High Scholar warned. “Nikan will be accompanying you. You can use all the help you can get. Not to mention, you’re more recognizable now.
If Nations learn that another Worthy is sneaking around on their lands, they’ll think the worst and likely react to it as a threat.
Nikan is going with you. End of discussion. ”
I groaned and rubbed my temple with my fingertips. I hadn’t thought of that. Eamon’s warning paired with the Sage’s left my stomach feeling uneasy. If I were discovered in another Nation, they wouldn’t see me as just a Roav working for Morah, but as a Worthy.
“Nikan,” Eamon continued. “You are going to be there to assist Kya. This is her mission and she will be the lead Roav.”
“Ha!” I pointed to Nikan and he slapped my hand playfully.
While I wasn’t particularly excited that my brother would be joining me, Eamon was right. I also wasn’t completely upset that I would get to spend some time with him. And the thought of getting to annoy him for days or weeks on end was more than appealing.
I gave him a mocking smile, and he rolled his eyes again. I could see that he was fighting a smile himself.
“I also want you to find Malina and recruit her. If she hasn’t already completed her mission, she may continue it after you have completed yours.
” Nikan and I nodded. “Now leave, both of you. This old male has had enough excitement for one day,” he said through a grin.
The demanding voice of the High Scholar now replaced with the warmth of our patriarch.
One of these days, I will finally find out just how old he is. One of his many mysteries.
We stood to leave, and Eamon brought me into a firm embrace and whispered into my ear, “You are worthy in more ways than one. This title does not define you. It describes you.”
I smiled up at him as he pulled away and nodded in thanks before Nikan and I both left the study. Tears pricked the back of my eyes, but I shook them away. I had already cried enough for one day.
I went to my rooms while Nikan took care of the preparations for our morning departure.
My bath was hot and long, my skin pruned and the water was cold by the time I got out.
I dressed in loose clothing and went out to the library to grab a few books for our journey.
I hadn’t read at all since I was here last, not wanting to risk the chance that I wouldn’t come back to return them.
I stuffed them into my pack once I got back to my rooms. I audibly sighed as I finally laid in my soft bed and snuggled into the warm blankets.
My mind was too exhausted to dwell on worries weighing down on me, the light pattering of the rain against the glass walls causing my eyelids to feel too heavy to hold open. Sleep took me quickly.
Wind rushed past me, a deafening howl in my ears.
Rain was stinging my face as it pelted my skin and I squinted to keep the water from my eyes.
I could feel my soaked clothes weighing me down as my back muscles ached from working tirelessly to keep me above the ground.
I could scarcely make out the black outline of a towering structure, reflecting the flashes of light from the storm.
Morah.
I drew closer and closer, soaring over the sleeping city below. Another flash of light. A creature with leathery appendages, as dark as the night, was coming toward me. Yet I still thrust myself closer.
The sky was illuminated with streaks of blue light violently piercing the darkness.
My reflection in the inky black glass revealed that I was the creature.
But where there should have been the sight of my body, it was instead that of a male carried by wings, his silver eyes flashing through the darkness.
A crackling sound startled me awake with a gasp. I clutched my chest and blinked the sleep from my eyes, perplexed by the strange dream. The male with wings and silver eyes. I had seen those eyes before from underneath a hood at the temple—a Lord.
I should have felt scared. I should have been petrified. Yet I felt oddly calm, which only added to my confusion.
Why would I dream of a Lord with wings?
I realized then that the burning sensation inside of me had started to recede, like a fire that had sated its voracious appetite, and left a swirling of smoke that was soothing and comforting.
I didn’t know what to make of it, but at least it was better than the continuous inferno in my chest I’d had since returning from Hylithria.
I didn’t go back to sleep, too curious to stop my mind from wandering, and remained awake for the next few hours. Then dawn came, and I met with Nikan outside the doors of Morah, thankful that the storm’s intensity had lessened to a downpour, then we mounted our horses and left Ilrek.