When the Shards of the Arcanth are whole once more,
Their forces will strike upon our shores.
Unless our strength is bound again,
Defeat shall claim us, not if, but when.
One shall act, when none dare to,
Their choice will split the world in two.
A promise broken, their duty severed,
Our peace undone, perhaps forever.
Sebastian’s jaw clenched as he muttered under his breath, “That was enough to frighten the Council into playing along.”
Veyra’s eyes glittered. “Indeed. This next verse has only been for Fatàn’s ears... but I think it’s right you hear it now.”
She continued:
When flame and healing meet as one,
The Arcanth’s soul can be yet won.
The Warrior’s fire, the Healer’s hand,
Together they may yet save this land.
But should their bond be torn apart,
Then darkness claims Vallenna’s heart.
When she finished, Sebastian and Kara stared at her. The silence was suffocating.
“You never told them this part? The part that would have proved what we were doing? That we weren’t thieves or traitors?” Sebastian demanded angrily.
“They did not need to know,” Veyra said simply.
“Did not need to know–” Sebastian raged as he drew dangerously close to Veyra. “Kara needed them to know. You made that decisionbeforethe Arcalon.BeforeKara and I had even met. Father said that’s when you told them of this. You’d already decided that we would suffer. Decided she’d be dragged to a pyre.”
“Your choices dictated the way the Weave fell, Warrior. We just prepared for the most likely... eventuality,” Veyra said.
Sebastian took a step forward, looking murderous. “Sebastian.” She tugged him back by the arm. “That’s enough.”
He looked at her as if she had taken leave of her senses. “Kara, you do realise what they–”
“Yes,” she said, though her hand shook against his sleeve. “I do. But we are here now, together, and safe. It seems to me that this is exactly where we are supposed to be.”
Veyra smiled. “You are wise, Healer. I can see why the Arcanth chose you.”
Sebastian drew in a long breath and faced Veyra again. “Hear me, Veyra. I don’t care what verses you hide, or games you play. Kara and I aren’t pieces on a board. Whatever happens next, it will be becausewechose it.”
A look of faint surprise crossed Veyra’s face. “It seems the Written Future was wise to withhold the words until now.”
Veyra watched as Sebastian intertwined his fingers with Kara’s and pulled her closer, emerald and crimson fluttering around their joined hands.
“Vallenna still has a chance.” She smiled. “I suppose you wanted to ask me how it is done?”
