It remained unsaid.
Just as Kit’s silent prayer, thrown out to any celestials who would listen, did. Still, though, she prayed. For answers. For a path to the crown. And for her dearest friend—her sister—to come home soon.
40
NEW HEIGHTS
CEDRIC
Cedric never likedthe Chasm bridge.
It wasn’t the height, necessarily, although all five celestials knew he wasn’t a fan of that. The bridge spanned a gorge deep enough to swallow entire caravans, with a drop that disappeared into mist. And it wasn’t the narrowness, either, though he had little love for the slim passage of stone—no lip, no wall on either side. Just a clean edge and a swift drop.
No, it was the knowing. The memory.
With every clop of Polonius’ hooves against the stone, he remembered crossing it for the first time, his fingers white-knuckled on the wagon bench as Lord Church had offered platitudes and Thibault and Hargrave had both snickered at his clear fear. Heremembered his own barbaric attitude, the hate he’d held onto as they’d made their way to Luminaria. The determination he’d had to show the Arcanians up, to win the crown for realm and glory.
For humanity.
Had he ever even had that right?
Cedric dropped Polonius’ reins for a moment to wipe his sweaty palms against his pants.
“You look nervous, Sir Worrywart.”
Cedric let out a breathy laugh, tracking Thraigg, Ollie, Jocelyn, and Young Shep as they trotted across, several horse-lengths ahead. Sid, in typical fashion, was nowhere to be found, though Cedric had no doubt she lurked in the shadows nearby.
“All the things you’ve called me in this lifetime, and that’s the one that sticks? Truly?”
Elyria grinned. “Worry less, and I’ll find something else to call you.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“What has you all tied up in knots now? The trip has been easy thus far—no attacks, no dramatics.”
“Yes, but do you think it’s been too easy?”
“I think we filled our quota for excitement in Dawnspire. We are owed a bit of ease,” she said, encouraging Fjaethe forward with a nudge of her heel. Turning her head, she called over her shoulder, “If you’re worried about trodding over this bridge, Sir Victor, I could always fly you across.”
He knew she was joking.
She was probably joking.
But he urged Polonius forward anyway, swallowing the knot in his throat and keeping his eyes fixed straight ahead, on the periwinkle-haired beacon in front of him. “This is fine,” he said shakily, and Elyria laughed.
“Suit yourself.”
Turned out,they really were in for an easy journey to the Midlands. No interruptions. Few interactions with other travelers. Eventhe weather had been stars-damned perfect—balmy and breezy, with clouds rolling across the brilliant blue sky.
Cedric was glad for the chance to enjoy the experience of traveling with Elyria—with his friends. He’d overthought his way into misery on the way to Dawnspire, mulling over that last night with Elyria, over her reaction to Raefe. Over his own. Over keeping his power under wraps and in check.
Now, he felt...lighter. He didn’t have to hide from any of the people here. Didn’t have to make excuses or pull himself back. He was free to be whoever—whatever—he was now, and it felt good. Natural. Like, breathing.
Together, the group passed by several small human encampments, newly built since the accords. Campfires dotted the hills. Folks hung bright banners on camps and small, quickly constructed wooden cottages, set behind makeshift fences. Children played by wagons as horses grazed.
It was true, people had indeed started moving into the Midlands, moving beyond the boundaries of Havensreach at the first possibility. Even if he didn’t know what the overcrowded streets of Kingshelm were like, even if he hadn’t regularly witnessed the dilapidated state of the Walk firsthand, Cedric would have understood why. There was a raw sort of grandeur to these lands. A gentle wind that swept through long grass—greener and freer than that which grew on the other side of the Chasm.
If it was the mana that ran freely through the lands or the two centuries of it being uninhabited—perhaps a combination of both—that gave it such wild beauty, Cedric didn’t know.
