“Clan Hanged Man claimed most of Hermit’s territory and considers itself ‘keeper’ of what remains. They’re fiercely loyal to Oricalis, and the crown wants any mention of Hermit buried. Their judges never miss a chance to interfere.” His voice carries bitter experience. He’s tried to go, I’m sure of it. Was he successful? And is he trying to return?
“Which is why I will go alone.” I repeat myself with finality.
“Can you take the Chariot?”
I shake my head. “The Chariot only works for places you’ve seen with your own eyes. I can use it to get back, but not there.”
“It’s at least a two-day journey one way.”
“I’ll go right after All Coins Day. Classes are quieter before prep for the Three of Swords Trials really begins.”
He considers this. “It might look too suspicious for you to leave right after what’s happened…”
“We’ll keep things quiet and not make a fuss about it. I’ll go on one of the days I’m off from classes anyway.” The more I think about it, the clearer the plan becomes. “We’ll say I’m ill. Nothing serious. I’ll act like I have a bit of a cough during All Coins Day.”
Vaduin sighs, runs a hand through his hair, then nods. “Very well.”
“You’re my superior; you can excuse my absence. The headmaster will approve.” I step back and raise my voice, summoning all eyes to me. “We don’t have time to waste; we need to get moving.”
We lay Gregor to rest in a chamber facing Eclipse City. Even though I sealed the window with stone, I like to think that, in a way, he has a view of the only home he’s ever known. I wish he wasn’t alone. That I could place him next to his sister’s grave, or Jura’s…But that’s not something I can offer him. This will have to suffice.
Afterward, we retreat to Arina’s room. Ferier is there with Thal. The latter stays at Arina’s bedside as Ferier emerges and learns of what happened. I split away from the group of Worldkeepers—Vaduin, Ferier, Xora, Vacelle, Drakon, and Ordin—to check on my sister.
“It sounds like you were busy this morning,” Thal says without looking my way. They’re brushing Arina’s hair with movements so gentle that it doesn’t stir her from her slumber.
I don’t respond; the words have dried up. It’s too much to summarize. The wounds are too fresh.
As if reading the pain in my features, Thal stops their movements and stands. “I should go and get ready for All Coins Day.”
With that, they leave. I don’t even have the strength to mumble a “thank you” before they’re gone. I settle carefully on the bed’s edge. Arina finally stirs, eyes now opening without the panic that once consumed her waking moments. She searches the room before her focus narrows on me.
“Hey…” I smooth her hair with trembling fingers. “Gregor…”How do I speak this truth to someone who’s endured so much? I cover my mouth, turning away as fresh tears blur my vision. Better she know than wonder why he no longer comes around. Better to hear it from me than from anyone else. I choke back a sob. “Gregor is dead.”
I keep staring out the window like a coward, unable to face her reaction.
“You’re all I have left of my family now.” The words pour from me. “I know I have no right to ask anything of you, I know you’re doing all you can, but…pleasecome back to me. I can’t do this alone. I know there are others around me, but I’ve only just met them. Only just learned to trust them. You’re different from the rest—from everyone else in this whole world. You’re…you. My flesh and blood. And I fucking needyou,sister.”
Tears flow freely down my cheeks. I’m crying so hard I don’t notice her movement until gentle hands cup my face, turning me toward her. The clarity in her eyes stops my breath.
“It will be all right, Clara.” For the first time in what feels like years, she speaks in full sentences without the influence of the Sun, far more than the bare essentials we’ve grown accustomed to. Fresh tears spill over my cheeks as she offers a tired but genuine smile. “I’m here. I will never leave you.”
I pull her into a crushing embrace, and we weep together—for Gregor, for all we’ve lost, and for the faint hope that we hold on to as tightly as we cling to each other.
Chapter 66
I leave the academy the next afternoon, following All Coins Day. The whole affair—the stalls, presentation of skills, coin ceremony, Marking, the works—is so frustratingly normal that it’s a relief to leave and be alone with my thoughts. Despite feeling like emotional mincemeat, I still managed to remember to fake a cough so no one would be suspicious of my leaving. On the way out of the city, I deliver the news of Gregor’s death to Twino and Ren. Their lack of surprise adds the weight of new guilt to my shoulders that I carry for the rest of my journey. At least this little trip gives me some time to be alone with my thoughts and my mourning.
It takes nearly two days for me to get to the remnants of Clan Hermit’s manor. I travel light and stick to pathways as instructed to me by Vaduin. There are a few checkpoints looking for the infamous Clara Graysword, but I don’t worry about them in the slightest given my current face. The entire time, I imagine what I might find of Clan Hermit, but nothing could prepare me for the first time I lay eyes on the crater.
Where a great manor and surrounding town once stood is now a gaping hole in the earth, and I stand upon its edge. An ominous crack draws my eyes to my boots. Beneath my feet is a faded mosaic of a lantern held by a hand. I scramble back as the mosaic fractures, the stone giving way.
The mosaic is akin to a tombstone—a reminder of the people whose lives were cut short. Taking a slow breath, I move around the upper portion of the crater, looking for a sturdier foothold. I then creep back toward the edge and try to peer down into the hollow void of singed and scarred rock.
Twisted metal punctures rubble. Passageways once concealed underneath the grand manor of Clan Hermit are now exposed to the elements.
This vast manor once held the greatest library in all of Oricalis. In just one night, it was all reduced to nothing more than rubble and dust. I take a breath and scan the crater’s edge. If anyone is patrolling, they’d be up here. I doubt they’d keep any active searches below.
Seeing no one, I begin to find my way down.
