Mare
Noblewomen did not dig graves.
But Paragons did.
My arms burned as I plunged the shovel into the wet ground and pulled out another chunk of soil. Wiping my brow, I looked over at Reese. He knelt over a fresh grave, reciting a prayer.
In Aenir, we burned the dead and scattered their ashes to the winds. Their essence rode the wind back to the Saint's abode, past the reach of time, far across the sea.
Forlaith had ordered Aenir to change many of its customs when it came under their control. Our funeral arrangements had been left untouched, so long as we prayed to Solathair instead of the saints.
Muirashi buried their dead in revered graveyards to be visited for generations to come.
I wondered what they had worshipped before Forlaith. It had been so long ago, all records had been destroyed, and the living had long forgotten.
"Tired, sister?"
Liam stood at the edge of my shallow grave. He rolled up his sleeves and motioned for me to get out. Relieved, I clambered out of the hole and caught my breath.
The stars glittered overhead. Morning had come, and we had not slept. Liam glanced up at them and extended his hand.
The earth shifted under his command, flowing up and away from my hole like a reverse waterfall. When he lowered his arm, a perfect little grave remained.
"Great," I said. "You can dig the rest."
Liam shook his hand. "I'm not great at Earthborn magic. I've got one, maybe two left in me."
"Slacking off? How typical of you." I tsked.
"We're almost done here. You spent last night slaying dragons." He tilted his head toward town. "Go rest."
Nodding, I rubbed my weary eyes. "Okay." Setting my shovel down, I trudged back toward the village.
Two men passed me, carrying a body between them. I paused to watch them lower him into the grave, and caught a glimpse of the corpse's face.
A young guard with soft features. His oversized, hand-me-down helmet had fallen over his eyes when he'd looked up at me.
To ask me what I needed from him.
This young man had told his fellows to listen, had given me his trust.
Now, he was dead. Torn in half.
Pain throbbed in my heart as I turned away.
The fields of silver-flowered crops glistened with morning dew under the soft moonlight. They swayed gently in the breeze, ignorant of all that had happened last night.
The village was empty and quiet. Most people had fled on foot. I hoped nothing had followed them down the road to Tsuyan.
I found an empty house and sat on its porch. A stream ran through their yard, and the sound of trickling water beckoned me to sleep.
Pulling my knees up, I wrapped my arms around them. Tremors shook me, and I rocked back and forth.
I'd meant to summon lightning, but shadows had answered my call. Every inquisitor in Forlaith would come hunting for my head should they learn.
I couldn't hide this magic if I couldn't control it.
What if it slipped out during training, or the next battle? The moment Reese saw, he'd either kill me on the spot or drag me back to the capital to be executed.
