“Why are there so many Warriors here? What happened?” Calix asks, and we all seem to welcome a breath at the change of subject.
General Aster doesn’t respond right away, and I’m tempted to push my magic towards him and risk swaying his decision to tell us what we are asking. Since stepping back over the border to Kirrasia, my power has finally settled, feeling right within my skin again.
The urge to cast my magic out to feel the connection with Ever is right there, but I pull it back—for now. I know that the tether is back in place, or at least repairing, but I want to test what Kalan had me practice. My Guard magic.
“There have been several questionable changes since you left. Factions have formed. The Orders are no longer united over the governing of Kirrasia.”
“What do you mean?” I push, shaking my head.
“The Chamber are divided. Kamari challenged your father. She is trying to influence his decisions. Portia is with her, but Darien resists. As a precaution, your father ordered all the Warriors here,” Cetus confirms.
“A precaution? What’s he anticipating? That’s not the strategic move.” It doesn’t make any sense.
“He’s not thinking that way, Aten.”
“Are you still in charge of his armies?” I check.
“Yes. There’s been no move to change that. Your father believes war is coming, and his paranoia, his insistence that a Fifth is the sign of the next war, has given Kamari her shot.”
I glance at Calix, who looks back at me, a grim scowl on his face. We knew the truth, but apparently, that hadn’t spread, and we didn’t understand why. Cetus, the custodians, and plenty of other people must have lived through the Battle of Decree.
“The Guards, at Kamari’s behest, have started rumours that since Orion didn’t pass you his magic through your Transference, that he’s now feeling his power dwindle and he’s going mad. His decision about moving the Warriors has only stoked that.”
“Fuck that. He’s right. There is a war coming,” Calix defends.
Cetus pauses and looks at his son. Then to me.
“Numbers? Positions? Strengths?”
No questions. No doubts. Just preparing for action.
“We know none of that. But it will be Kirrians, not Sunatora or Nehandun. Not what we’ve always assumed.”
“You remember the Battle of Decree, well, this is round two,” Calix confirms.
General Aster is a few years older than my father, so he definitely would remember. He’d know. But he doesn’t react the way I’d have thought. It’s as though the information slides over him.
“What about training? The custodians? Anyone else with influence here?” I ask, working on knowing who all the players in this will be. We’ll have allies, but certainly enemies.
“The trainees have been confined, even though the Warriors are on their doorstep. Rowan has taken leadership. Of who’s left, at least. No trials. No usual progression. But they’re safe.”
“There are only five left. Why wasn’t it abandoned?” Calix asks.
“It is a right of passage and tradition. Some still cling to that. Even now.”
“And the rest of the Court. Surely they know something is wrong?”
“They do. Kamari has painted it all as an omen from Aslendrix, cursing us with a Fifth. Everyone’s scared. Banishing you did Orion no favours. There are curfews, strict rules, and Warriors with Guards patrol.”
“If it’s really this bad, there’s no point in warning the Orders. They’ll use whatever we say against my father—against us—and I’ll be back in a cell.”
“So, new plan?” Calix asks.
Ever. We need to get to her, find out what the Maker said. But I need to see my mother first.
“Can you take me to my mother?”
“Celestine? She hasn’t been seen outside of the apartments for some time,” General Aster confirms.
