Tenny and Kit both sucked in sharp breaths.
“So, this man, thissanguinagileader,” Tenny said, turning to Tristan. “He mentioned the sylvansandthe sanctuary? Together?”
Tristan swayed on his feet. “I...think so? Honestly, the man said so many things, they all became a blur after a point. We had to drug him with more of Jocelyn’s somnium seed just to get a moment’s peace.” He frowned. “Though, if I’d known he wouldn’t wake afterward...Why do you ask?”
“It reminded me of a passage from theSanctus Salutum.”
Sephone arched a brow.
“Yes, she speaks the old language, and yes, she’s talking about an Arcanian book,” Kit explained hastily. “What passage, Ten?”
“In the story, the sanctuary is located in the midst of the glenwood, protected by old magics and wise sages, green of skin and pure of spirit. I’d always thought it was a bit of a metaphor, but what if it is literal? We know so little about Elderglade, really. So few have ever been to see it.”
“Glenwood. Elderglade. The words are similar in Old Arcanian,” Nox mused. “It is looking like that book is less and less of a fairytale with every new thing we learn, Miss Church.”
“Right.” Tenny straightened. “So, how do they plan to get through then?”
“Through what?” Tristan asked.
“The wards,” Tenny said. “The old magics. The book is very clear on how it doesn’t let just anybody in. And my father said that once he—” She cleared her throat. “It doesn’t let just anybody in.”
Kit froze, her mind churning. “If they really are one and the same, then Ellie and Ric are about to hit a dead end without even realizing it, and their entire trip will have been for nothing.”
“Which means both Hargrave and I will have gotten fucking stabbed for no stars-damned reason,” Sephone muttered.
“Perhaps Cedric already has some idea,” Tenny suggested, though the doubt in her voice was clear. “He did receive those notes that Magister Yvan sent from Paideus, and they are...comprehensive. Now that I’m thinking of it, I remember seeingsomekind of mention of how to navigate around the veil?—”
“Ah, yes, the veil. The dead bastard mentioned that many, many times too,” Sephone interjected.
Tenny swallowed. “Well, if Ric was able to get through all the magister’s notes, he might have?—”
“Good thing he wasn’t at all distracted during his final days here then, hmm?” Tristan quipped.
“Precisely what I was thinking,” added Nox.
Kit resisted the urge to slap them both.
“I suppose they’ll find out one way or another,” Nox continued. “There’s little we can do about it now, is there?”
“I hate this. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m no good at waiting. All the magic in Arcanis, yet we can’t send a stars-damned letter across the Chasm?”
“Well, were they at a missive station and had access to a mana stone...” Tenny began.
“Yes, I know.” Kit pasted a smile over her gritted teeth. “I meant it rhetorically. I do understand how the sending of messages works, and that it was never an option in this situation.” Her voice was tight when she added, “Let’s just hope Ellie sends another sparrow fast. One that actually lasts long enough for us to send something back.”
Even as she said the words, though, Kit knew the chances were slim. If her sparrows were already so fragile just being sent from Dawnspire, what were the odds of one surviving a trip across the Chasm? Both ways?
“Is there truly no way for you to conjure one of your own?” Kit asked, turning to Nox. “To get a message to her without a sparrow coming here first?”
The nocterrian pursed their lips. “I am no wildshaper. What the Revenant can do is...unique. My own shadows have never worked that way.”
Kit’s face fell.
Nox tilted their head, indigo brow creasing. “But...”
“But?” Kit couldn’t keep the pathetic eagerness from her voice. She didn’t care.
“But there may be something I can try. I, too, tire of this inaction. I would like to be able todosomething.” They looked at Kit, their crimson-black gaze suddenly piercing, like something lingered just behind their teeth.
