Page 88 of Requiem of Silence

CHAPTER THIRTY

Who’s to say

one day

we will not recall

the future

as well as the past.

—THE HARMONY OF BEING

You pace your room restlessly, heedless for once of the intense cold flooding your bones. Where is the servant to stoke the fire? But the thought flits away as soon as it comes and in a moment you’ve already forgotten.

What you need hovers just out of reach, locked in the fortress of your ancient mind. The spell used to summon the spirits is familiar, but not. You are on the verge of a great discovery but it keeps eluding you.

It makes you want to smash something.

The door to the chamber bursts open, stopping you midpace. You are about to rail at the servant for such an indecorous entrance—but it is not one of the silent guards, it is Cayro, sour expression marring his pallid face.

“How can I help you?” you ask with a slightly mocking bow.

He narrows his eyes and settles unbidden into a seat by the fire. “I want to know what you are planning.”

You perch on the threadbare seat across from him, affecting an innocent expression. “Planning?”

“I’ve been to Lagrimar, you know. I was a Seeker in my youth.”

“Is that so? How did you find my land?”

“Hot. Disgusting. Full of starving people embittered by hatred for you, their so-called leader.”

You lean back and steeple your fingers, waiting for him to continue speaking. He is not flustered by the silence; it seems that once again he is taking your measure.

“I think it is a mistake for you to be here,” he finally says.

“Then I take it you were overruled?” You smile as he clenches his jaw. “Does Nikora not respect your advice and counsel? Pity.”

His eyes bore holes into you. But he is hundreds of years younger and isn’t adept. Your skin might as well be made of diamonds for all the effect his glare has.

“Was there a reason for this visit or did you just want to rehash old times?”

He blows out a breath and looks off into the fire. “I know a way out of here. A path to freedom for you, and I would see you use it.”

You sit rigidly, not betraying any emotion.

“There is a tunnel through the mountain that leads down to its base,” he says. “A city lies not twenty kilometers from there. I willshow you how to get out if you agree to leave.” His gaze spears you again, intense and calculating.

He seems serious, though this could still be a test. “And who will control the Wailers? Who will provide the Earthsong you need?”

Cayro shakes his head. “This plan of Nikora’s is absurd. We should not waste what’s left of Dahlia’s flesh on this mission. What’s more, we should not sacrifice our people’s lives for this. Better to regroup and rebuild our strength. Find another way to restore our magic. Locate our scattered brethren and reform ourselves. This quest is folly.”

“Then why do you follow her?”

His chin juts up. “I am a believer.”

You try to keep the smirk from your lips. “What, pray tell, do you believe in?”

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