Page 2 of Tide of Waves and Secrets

“Mmm.” Grandfather sighed. “So that is why I could see a rift between the Gyorian king and one of his sons. If either of them were to fall in love with an Aetherian woman, I’d have expected it to be Kael, and not Terran.”

“I’d not have expected any Gyorian, least of all one of King Balthor’s sons, to fall in love with the daughter of their enemy. But I suppose that’s why you’re The Keeper and I’m just a spy.”

His grandfather made a sound of disbelief. “You are not ‘just’ anything, Rowan and know it well. If I’d ever met a more kind, loyal, resourceful?—”

“Dying,” I teased, knowing my grandfather did not like mincing words or being anything other than forthright, “has not diminished your overhyping capabilities.”

“Overhyping? A new word for me,” he said. “The meaning of which I can easily discern. The princess must have quite a vocabulary, among other attributes from the modern world. Tell me of her.”

And so, I did. Anything not to think about the fact that my grandfather’s eyesight was leaving him, one of the final stages of The Fading. I recalled my adventures with Mev, Kael and Lyra, telling him what I’d learned of the modern world in the human realm from Mev. I recounted how difficult it had been to gain Kael’s trust, and how, after confronting his own brother to protect Mev, Kael had eventually pledged his loyalty to her and King Galfrid. I also told my grandfather what the king had revealed to the others about reopening the Gate: that the most powerful artifacts in each clan needed to be recovered and used in a spell known only to two men—the Aetherian king who opened it, and the Gyorian one who closed it.

“This is as close as we’ve been since it was closed to seeing the Gate reopened once again.”

“I agree.” With my grandfather’s frail hand still holding my own, I acknowledged the pang inside my chest at such a sight. No man in Estmere was more fierce, or determined, than him. His family had long-argued the merits of how the new Keeper was chosen. Some said that when the current Keeper died, their magic was transferred to the most loyal of those living with Harrow blood coursing through their veins. Others believed it to be someone who excelled at keeping secrets: an essential quality for The Keeper.

But I knew the truth of it.

Having observed and trained with my grandfather since an early age, I was convinced the new Keeper was the man, or woman, who possessed all of it. Loyalty. Strength. Integrity. Wisdom. Resilience. My grandfather possessed all of these things.

There was not a better man alive.

“Do not look so sad, grandson. I’ve lived a full life and will be glad to reunite with your grandmother. It’s been an honor to serve our family, and our people. But it’s a duty I gladly pass along to another.”

He had served their family well, but I also knew how much my grandfather wished to reopen the Gate. He’d been alive when it closed, when so many who had come through, never intending to remain in Elydor, were cut off from their families. King Balthor had not just punished his enemy, the Aetherians, but the humans and, in Rowan’s mind, all of Elydor. It had been stronger, according to his grandfather, when the free pass of information and knowledge had been allowed between Elydor and the human realm.

“We will reopen it.” It was not a vow I made lightly. Many resourceful people, including my grandfather, had attempted it for many years. And failed. “Somehow,” I said, “Mev was able to pass through the Gate, despite it being closed. I believe it is a sign. Her Aetherian powers are strong, and her union with Prince Kael, fortuitous. Together, we will see it done. I make that vow to you, Grandfather.”

The man that had trained me… loved me… smiled.

“I have no doubt that you will.”

Sighing, as if our conversation had weakened him, he added, “Tread carefully in Thalassaria. You’ve not spent as much time there as in the other clans. They are neither as welcoming to humans as Aetherians nor as hostile to us as Gyorians, but their neutrality toward us has been just as detrimental. Thalassarians care about their freedom above all. Remember that. There is power in unity, and hope, and a peaceful future between all of Elydor’s clans is possible. But only if the Gate is reopened.”

“I will retrieve the Tidal Pearl from Thalassari’s queen. Wewillreopen it,” Rowan vowed once again. “I will make you proud, Grandfather.”

Smiling, he let go of my hand, patted it, and closed his eyes, obviously tired. “You already have, Rowan. You already have.”

2

NERYS

Maristhera, Capital of Thalassaria

“Ishould return to the palace.”

The woman who’d been like a mother to me, already old when my parents died and that had been many years ago, waved a hand as if unconcerned. “Look around you. The square is just coming to life.”

It was true. We sat on the edge of a stone fountain, one of many in the capital. Though not far from the sea, as with most towns in Thalassaria, water could be found everywhere in Maristhera. Fountains, canals… it was our life force.

“Perhaps. But I have a new ward coming. A human.”

Aneri waved to a man that I was pretty certain she was with, romantically speaking. For some reason, Aneri denied it. Neither were partnered, so her secrecy made little sense.

“A human?” Aneri’s expression didn’t change. Some might wrinkle their nose or frown with distaste, but not Aneri. And Nerys had been taught better than that. Still, it was unusual.

“He’s passed through the border?”

I nodded. Thalassaria was the only kingdom, or clan as we called them, which did not have open borders. Even Gyorians, who despised humans, allowed them to pass freely onto their land. Of course, the humans weren’t guaranteed to survive long. But they could enter freely.

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