Page 129 of Requiem of Silence

Oola still looked regal and formidable, but also… tired. “I do not belong here. Not anymore. I will see this through but then… There is no place for me here. Not in the temples, not in the land.”

It was just like Her to not answer the question. “What about the faithful?” Zeli whispered instead of pressing the issue.

“Are there any of those left?” She chuckled. “It is time for them to have faith in something else. I think perhaps they should have more faith in themselves. Not in me. It should never have been placed in me. And for the part I played in stoking that particular fire, I am also sorry.”

Zeli’s head spun trying to process this. Darvyn appeared to be having a similar reaction, while Yllis looked on sadly. “You said you want to finish this. Will you help unlock the Songs?” Zeli asked.

“I do not know any more than you do.” Oola spread Her hands. “I don’t even know the spell.”

This new humility of Hers was more galling than the arrogance. “I can teach it to you,” Zeli said.

Oola held up a hand. “Gilmer did not come to me or contact me. He could have. He did not teach it to Yllis or gift him a Song, which he also could have done. He entrusted the spell to you. It is for you to do.”

Tears formed in Zeli’s eyes as frustration wanted to pour out. “But I’m not strong. I’m not anything.”

“You are something, Tarazeli. You have already learned so much. You have sacrificed as well. Now you just must learn to have faith in yourself. You know it, you must feel it. And then you will find what you need.”

“But how do you know?” she pleaded as tears spilled over.

“BecauseIhave more faith in you than I do in me.” Oola’s face, which Zeli had only ever seen placid and calm, was now wracked with sadness.

Yllis took Oola’s hand, his expression similarly downcast. Darvyn stared at them, his disbelief evident.

Zeli began shivering, tears flowing freely now as the two ancients turned and left. She wanted to cry out, to beg and plead, but she couldn’t find the words. Gilmer hadn’t said that only she could restore the Songs, but he could have made so many other choices and he hadn’t. His knowledge rivaled that of Yllis and Oola and still he’d taught Zeli the spell. What did that mean?

She turned to Varten, still wedged in the corner. His eyes were wide and full of fear. “What is it?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I—I should go. Let you work on this.”

“Wait, what? No. Where are you going?”

He swallowed, clearly shaken.

“Please stay,” she said, reaching for him.

He avoided her, heading for the door. “She’s right. Youcando this, Zeli. I believe in you. I just—” He shook his head again. “I need to go.” And then he was gone.

Zeli swallowed as the empty doorway tempted her. She turned to Darvyn, whose expression was pitying. “You can teach me the spell. If I can help…”

“We still need the sacrifice. It won’t even matter without that.”

He nodded. “You’re not alone, Zeli.”

She appreciated his offer, but he was wrong. She was on her own again, just as much as she’d always been. If the Goddess was right then she would have to figure this out, somehow.

She wiped her cheeks and squared her shoulders.

Faith in herself. That was all she needed. And she would have to find it fast.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Our heritage we can recite until our breath

runs low and tongues go dry.

The ancestors are not deaf to our plight.

But we must craft a legacy worthy of

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