“You’re sure?”
Bastion hesitated.A frenetic tremor vibrated through his limbs as he ran his hand through sandy hair, wind-blown and salt-licked.His entire body felt gritty.His breath came sharp and fast as he balanced on the precipice of truth.
“At least one Account details a knight who couldn’t remember anything until he set foot on land again,” Endre said.“Maybe when we return to port–”
“No!”Bastion spun to face his friend.“Do you want me to strip so you can see for yourself?I have no Godmark!No proof that I completed my Trial!”
His voice cracked on the last word.
The ship undulated, causing both Endre and Bastion to brace, and the empty pint rolled toward them.It scraped against the rough floor, paused, then tipped over the handle with athunk!before beginning again.As it arrived at Bastion’s feet, he growled and kicked it across the room.It hit the wall and bounced into a corner, giving him no satisfaction.He sank back into his chair with all the grace of a fallen ruin.
You failed.You failed.You failed.
Bastion had spent the last ten years working toward this, determined to rise above his lonely origins so that when the court found out...
He grimaced.
It didn’t matter.At this final, crucial moment, when he was supposed to prove to himself and everyone else that he was worth it, the island had forsaken him.The gods had forsaken him.The irrevocable change he expected had come with the surety of an executioner’s axe instead of the promise of spring.
“You completed your Trial,” Endre said quietly.“You’ve earned your knighthood.”
“Have I?”Bastion couldn’t keep a note of agony out of his voice.He reached for another pint, and his hand shook.“This is unpreedented, and I don’t have the assurances you do.”
“You speak as if it’s a foregone conclusion!”Endre exclaimed, ever the optimist.“And I am your assurance!”
Bastion drank, bitterness lacing his next words.“And how will that look?The prince intervening for his poor, orphaned friend?”
“No worse than my father intervening for me aboutmyGodmark.”
Endre touched his collarbone, perhaps unconsciously, where the mark of Death was burned into his skin.Only a handful of people knew which god had visited the prince during his Trial–an attempt to keep people from assuming his reign would be cursed.The kingdom needed to have faith in him, something that would be shaken by the favor of such a misunderstood god.
Bastion shook his head.
“You are royalty.The council, the guard–they have to accept the king’s command.You have a duty to fulfill.Of course, he’d ensure you’re able to.I strongly doubt that afeelingof purpose will sway them in my favor.”
“And yet, you’ve been talking about that purpose for the entirety of your training,” Endre argued, leaning forwards from the edge of his seat.“No one can deny the hard work you’ve put in, the loyalty you’ve shown.”
“I think you’re overestimating how much faith people have in me,” Bastion said sourly.Defeat swelled and sank its teeth in further, becoming a bone-deep ache.“Divine favor always outweighs mortal toils.And I am clearly out of favor.”
He didn't say,Maybe I always have been.
A slow smile spread across the prince’s face.“Andyouare underestimating my father’s affection for you.He’ll agree.You earned this.”Endre stood and clapped Bastion’s shoulder.“Eat.Rest.I’ll curb the crew’s curiosity and have Captain Artem chart a course for Tynamara.”
The prince didn’t make it to the door before Bastion said, “No.”
“No?”Endre turned, his brow crinkling.“What do you mean, no?”
“I need time, Endre,” Bastion said, keeping his eyes trained on the contents of his pint.“Your father, the council, goddesses above, thenobility… I need time to come to terms with these events.If I’m to be at peace with whatever judgment is passed on me, I must reconcile this failure for myself first.”
You failed.You failed.You failed.
Endre nodded slowly, thoughtfully.Bastion knew he was contemplating refusing the request, but in the end, he sighed.
“Brightwater Bay, then.We can dock there, and I’ll go on ahead.Take all the time you need.”He turned to go but stopped once more.“Bastion?”
Bastion looked up.
Something deadly serious entered Endre’s gaze.“You didn’t fail.”
