Finally, a hitch in his expression. It made him seem more human. “We do not know where he is. We do not practice manipulation. Our focus is not on this realm, but the Aetheric. We pray for the easy transition of souls to that plane, and for the comfort of those who are left behind. Terran life is so short; knowledge of what comes after can only help us lead more fulfilling lives.”
It could all be lies. For all I knew, he could be an acolyte of the Aetheric practitioner. But he sounded earnest, and I felt no pain. I had to do something, so I pulled the scrap of paper from my pocket—the one I’d copied of Tommen’s drawing. “I need to find someone who can read this.”
The hood dipped down as the monk glanced at it. “I do not fully understand the meaning in this context.” He pointed to the words. “This is a blessing for success.” He pointed to the drawing of the sword. “But I do not know what this is.”
“I believe the person who drew this wanted to make a weapon of Aether.”
He pulled back his hand like the paper was hot. “We abhor violence.”
“The Aetheric practitioner isn’t so particular. Have you ever heard of Aether being used to make a weapon?”
“It shouldn’t be possible.” I could hear the confusion in hisvoice. “Terra and the Aetheric are different realms built of different matter.”
“Anima can appear in Terra,” I pointed out. “And humans can manipulate Aether.”
“To every rule, there are exceptions,” he said with a hint of a smile. I was prepared to dislike him; maybe because I was jealous of someone whose world was so straightforward, whose faith was so complete. “Living beings can be influenced,” he said. “But iron? I do not see how.”
Maybe Tommen was the only one who could.
“Do you know how I can stop the Aetheric practitioner from hurting more people?”
“Is that the weight you carry? The obligation to stop him?”
“The prince seeks him. I am trying to help.”
“I am not an expert in such things. But perhaps, as in any war, a first step would be to take away his weapon.”
“His weapon,” I repeated. “Do you mean his ability to manipulate Aether? Is that possible?”
“I do not know the intricacies of manipulation. I speak only of what sounds logical.”
A deep sound echoed through the building, shaking the stone beneath our feet.
“I am called to contemplation,” the monk said. “May the gods of all realms bless you and keep you safe on your journey.” He gave me a nod, then walked down the colonnade and around the corner, leaving me standing among prayers and pale stone.
Frustration building, I turned to walk back toward the road. Something pale fluttered in the darkness, and I thought for a moment it might be Luna. Instead, a bird alighted atop a short column that marked the edge of the shrine’s grounds. It looked like no bird I’d ever seen—white as the shrine from beak to tail feather.
A white raven.
Ravens were rarely seen in the stronghold; they preferred the foothills, so a sighting in the stronghold was considered an omen of an important event. A white raven must portend something really big.
“I’m only visiting,” I told it. “You want the Enshrined Monks.” I didn’t expect it to listen, much less understand me, but it tilted its head, and when I walked past it, I heard the scratch of rock as it jumped to the ground and began to follow me. It made a hard sound, more like a dog’s bark than any bird whistle I’d heard.
I stopped and looked back. One of its eyes was trained on me, feathers gleaming in the moonlight like the palest, finest silk.
“What?” I asked it, fully aware it was ridiculous to talk to a damned bird. Then again, it had been a very strange day. I found a bit of porridge cake in my pocket, left over from the dinner I’d barely touched, and held out my hand.
“Snack?”
The raven stared at me and barked again.
I put the cake on the ground between us, then backed up a few steps. The raven tilted its head and waddled toward it. It picked up a chunk with its beak, then tossed it back at me. And looked very displeased with the offering.
“Well, that’s all I’ve got.” I gestured to the shrine again. “Go talk to the acolytes. They’ll be happy to feed you. Just don’t go looking for answers. They don’t have any.”
The sound he made must have been a dismissal as he flew to the squat statue of the Aetheric god with its handful of fire. It looked at me again, then lifted into the air, a star returning to its firmament.
Thirteen
