Page 98 of The Seeker

“What project?” He was interested now, a jar clutched tightly in each fist.

“Well, we can teach you . . . to read, if you’re interested. We are looking to facilitate classes open to anyone and everyone who wants to learn more about Seid magic.”

His eyes widened, and for a moment, I was afraid I’d said too much.

“You . . . you would teach me to read?”

My shoulders relaxed at the realization that he understood. “Yes.” I looked at Askel again. “We want to try to right all the wrongs caused by the Purge and . . . take things further—toward equality, I mean.”

He nodded enthusiastically. “I’d love to, and I know several others who would be interested. I asked Signa last year, and she told me that without her vision, it wasn’t possible.”

I smiled sadly at the mention of my predecessor. “Signa died two fortnights ago; I’ve taken her place.”

“Wow.” I could feel Roger’s genuine surprise. “Well, it’s nice to meet you . . .”

“Runa Wormald.” My chest pinched at the fact that he didn’t remember or recognize me, but I knew it was high time I released that childhood fantasy anyway. “And this is Askel.” I didn’t know his family name, but Roger didn’t seem to mind, offering his hand to both of us for the Ralheim greeting before realizing he still held two jars.

“How much for these?”

“Two coins for the tarragon, and one coin for the flower seed.”

He dug into his pocket, holding out the coins to Askel, who tucked them into the pouch he wore for that purpose.

“We don’t have a location for the classes yet, but I plan to solidify that today. I’ll have Askel drop by and inform you where they will be. Feel free to invite anyone else who is interested.”

“I will,” he promised with a smile before returning to his shop.

The day dragged on, and we sold jar after jar to the citizens of Ralheim. It was difficult to recall all of the faces, some of them having aged drastically since the last time I’d seen them. But anyone I recognized as having lost one or two parents, we invited to our magic lessons. The majority said yes, though a few said they would need to consider it. No one said no.

Halfway through the afternoon, I decided it was time to stop avoiding what I’d come to Ralheim to do, and I promised Askel I would be back before beginning my trek to the Ralheim palace.

The walk there was uneventful, and though I briefly debated stopping to see Milo and Helena beforehand, I knew I was only making excuses not to do what we’d come here for.

I would see them after I finished my task.

The path was similar to the one Friar and I took the time I’d met Signa for the first time, but then I hadn’t gone all the way to the keep with her, so at some point, I had to tilt my chin up, using my best guess to guide me toward the large barracks peeking over the two-story houses in the nicer, more expensive part of town.

Although the very center of the city remained mostly unaffected by war—its general state having been declining before all the young men were called to fight—the residents in this part of town had suffered greatly. I passed home after home that had fallen into disrepair, unable to discern which homes were empty and which had too few family members to keep up with basic maintenance.

I also suspected that some had left to search for jobs, as Milo had. I gulped as I passed one house where the door hung off the hinges, plants growing up the porch, and hoped that the residents were thriving somewhere else.

Unlike when Adis had ruled Ralheim, the gate to the keep was left unguarded, and I was able to breeze in as I had in Malheim. What I saw inside, however, immediately had my gaze narrowing.

Where Malheim had been filled with servants going about their duties, the Ralheim keep was nearly empty, though I did spot one woman hanging the washing on the line, her long black hair slung in a single braid over her broad shoulder.

“Astrid!” I called as I walked toward her, relieved that she’d survived the war.

I could feel her confusion, and I realized then that I’d never given her my real name. “Runa,” I supplied as soon as we were standing near each other.

“It’s good to see you.” She smiled, recognition flickering in her gaze as she gave me a once-over. “You look good—healthy.”

“Thanks.” The empty courtyard came back to the front of my mind. “Where is everyone?”

She sighed. “Not many survived the attack the day you were bonded to Leif.” Though her voice was steady, her hands shook as she hung the next piece of laundry. “Otho offered any that remained a choice—they could return home if they wished. Many did. He didn’t hire more.”

My heard warmed at his actions, even though I knew it had made things harder for Astrid. “Why didn’t you return home?”

She smiled sadly. “No home to return to.”