Ever drops to her knees and smothers her hand over her mouth at the sight of her friends. Her family. I watch Calix and make sure I give him a nod before reaching for Ever and pulling her against my chest to hold her. My own relief takes over, strengthening my hold on her so much that I fear I might break her.
“The fighting is over. You will all lay down your weapons and be silent.”
The Maker’s voice rings inside all our minds, judging by the wide eyes and sudden quiet over everyone.
She continues her journey up the steps, and Ever twists in my hold to watch. The Maker pauses before the top step and looks down at Ever. Her hand reaches out and brushes her cheek before carrying on to the top.
The three strikes of her staff amplify around us.
General Aster takes a fleeting glance in our direction before heading towards my father, as his two companions, other Officers of the Warriors, head to Kamari and Rowan.
“There are many questions to be answered. Many wrongs to put right. Balance must be restored. This is her way.”Her voice echoes with a power that can only be from Aslendrix. And the people gathered know it.
“Kamari and Rowan will be escorted to Amenest prison for crimes against our Goddess.”
Ever shoots her gaze to me. “I didn’t know Kirrasia had a prison.”
“It’s not customary to use it,” I say before I ask the Maker what of my father.
“He has only ever acted in Aslendrix and Kirrasia’s best interest. That may have been hard to see, Aten Ciro. But he will not be punished harshly for that. He has already suffered.”
Suffered. I shake my head.
“Who else is there?” Ever asks. “At the prison.”
“I don’t know. But I bet my father will.”
“What about the Fifth?” someone shouts. “What’s her punishment?” The call goes up.
I move to defend Ever, but as I move, so does Calix, heading to intercept the Guard who voiced his thoughts. The rest of our friends push forward to us at the steps.
“Punishment?” Lyle shouts as she follows Calix through the crowd, Calix cutting a path for her. “Punishment for what? What has she done to you?” Lyle is as protective as I hoped she would be. The meek woman at the cottage, now galvanised in support of her daughter.
“She is dangerous.”
“To someone with little power, anyone can seem dangerous. Kamari, Orion, Portia, or Darien. Calix is dangerous.”
“But—”
“But nothing,” Calix’s intimidation shuts the speaker up.
And we wait. For someone else to speak, for something from the Maker.
“That’s it? That’s not enough. There has to be a change. Something must change,” Ever whispers to me.
“The library will be opened. Accounts corroborated, and truths told. The Elementals will see to it.”
“And?” Ever pushes. “We can’t have done all of this for nothing.”
Kyra, Raiden, and Capella stand as a barrier to the people around us and Ever.
“She’s right. That isn’t enough,” Raiden backs her up.
“Be careful—both of you. You’re challenging the Maker,” I warn.
“I’ve challenged Aslendrix. So have you. I’m not backing down now.” She stands and looks at the Maker.
They are locked in a staring war, the tension only growing, but there’s no communication, no voice from the Maker. I doubt their war is silent, though.
