Page 10 of A Conduit of Light
“You’vebeen saying that for a long time,Moira.”
“Well, it’s still true,Revich.She’snot ready.Stop.Asking.Iwill bring her to you when it’s time.”
“Youjust rode with her to the clearing, you said she sang with you knowing every line, and last afternoon, she spoke to me more than her usual few words at our meeting.Whatmore evidence do you need,faerie?”
“Justbecause we see signs of her memories returning does not mean she’s ready to hear the truth,human.”
BaronRevichsighed audibly, his voice softening. “Idon’t want to lose what we’ve gained.Springis changing her.Shehas memories we need to bring out,Moira.Weneed her to remember.Wemust find—”
“Doyou really thinkIneed a reminder of what’s at stake here?”Moira’svoice was full of ridicule as she interrupted. “Whohas been living with her this winter?Whohas cared for her like one of my own kind?Ihold her memories close too,Baron, andIwill tell you when she’s ready.Youstill do not get to make the choices here—youmadea choice.”
“Youare cruel.”
“Youdon’t know the half of it when it comes toyou.”Shepaused, her next words softer. “Iam speaking to you in honesty…maybe you need to hear it more often.”
Andwith that,IheardBaronRevichturn and storm away, leavingMoirahuffing, and myself in utter bewilderment.
Chapter6
Ash
Themorning sun was wicked,streaming throughAsh’sslit of a window in the tallest tower of theFortress.Therewere eight rooms altogether on the top floor.Fourdoors across from each other, and each just as tiny as the last.Sheknew.She’dpeeked into each one.Shehad chosen the first room, closest to the staircase that had finally ended.Shefigured she might as well be nearest to the exit.
TheFortresswas quiet at night.She’dheard the whisperings of whom she assumed wasClairanniaandFiguerah, but no others.Wasit just the three of them living up here?Andwhy these rooms?Wasthis some sort of training?
Shecould just see it—channelers working their calves night after night, trekking to their quarters, exhausted.Shewondered if any of them had rebelled and chosen different rooms, closer to the bottom floor.
Endlessquestions filled her mind.Wheredid the servants sleep?Oreven theBaron?Well,Baronsapparently.Howstrange to be a small part in a transition that takes place once per hundred years or so.Shepushed down the significance of this, refusing to acknowledge she might play an important role here.
Shefinally rose to dress, pulling on two pairs of stockings, cursing the chill in her tower room, her fire having gone out ages ago.Shesplashed her face in the basin, the cold water forcing her body to wake.Amouth paste made of mint and cinnamon had been left on her dresser along with three sets of channeler clothing.
Shehad not been allowed to take anything to theFortress.Aridiculous tradition, honestly.Werechannelers really expected to just leave everything and hold nothing of their former lives?Shescoffed aloud, pulling on her thick green skirt the color of moss after a harsh rain.Shetucked her cream colored shirt into the top band and buttoned her wool vest over her chest.Itfit her well, surprisingly so, and she wondered who had chosen the size without her measurements.
ThesecondBaron—BaronRevich—had said that they would begin training this morning.Sheplanned to be there, fumbling through any instruction and proving more and more that her place in this world was not in this fortress, not in this forest.
Asshe arrived in the foyer after the longest descent of stairs that existed inArcaynen, with sore calves already, she watched a few more servants milling about, getting their tasks done quickly and timely with the use of their magic.Shestared as two women, middle aged with features directly opposite of each other, worked together to snuff out the candles in the foyer chandelier.Withtheir magic flowing from their fingers, they guided the bell-shaped tool all around, the smoke from the snuffed flame drifting lazily upwards.
“Goodmorning,Ash.Ihope you slept well.”Theman in green livery strode up to her, a warm smile across his sharp features.Hehad used kohl to line his honey eyes again, the line of which angled upward, almost meeting the edge of his full brows.Hisface was long and ended with a well-trimmed beard and mustache.Theends of it curled ever so slightly, which gave him a look of being constantly amused.Hishair was long in a salt and pepper bun atop his head, natural curls gracing the sides of his tanned face.
Hebowed slightly to her. “Myname isPompeii,Overseerin theFortress, manager of conduit trainings, and right-hand man to…bothBaronscurrently.”Hissmile was enchanting, and he seemed well aware of the effect it could hold on a willing participant.
“Whatan impressive list of duties,”Ashsaid sincerely. “Ihope to lessen them soon asIdon’t plan on staying here long.”Andwith that, she nodded to him and headed toward the enticing smell of the dining room.
Whenher back was turned, she inhaled slowly to calm her nerves.Therudeness of her short retorts and manners were getting the best of her.
Thiswasn’t who she was.
TheQueenhad taught her to withhold her temper, to remain polite at all times, even though she had been jilted often growing up with royalty and without a title herself.
“Ash’Arah,” theQueenwould chide after, once again,PrincePhiliushad been invited to a celebration she had not. “Allyou need in this world is yourself.Ifyou know who that is, you can do anything.Youcanbeanything.Controlyour anger, child.”
“Icannotbeanything.Icannot be royal or born into great wealth.Icannot choose my company.Icannot even choose my own name.Iwill never belong in those places with those people.”Ashhad been no older than fourteen, laying on her corner bed in the room next toPrincePhilius.She’dstuffed her face into a velvet pillow, unwilling to let theQueensee her tears hot with anger and her fists tightening on the sheets.
“Ah, but you are here, are you not?Itis true.Yourpast has been defined already.Thatcannot change.Butyour future is yours.Andyou are the only one who can wield it.Andwhether you choose to do that sobbing angrily into a pillow or finding something productive to do, is up to you.”
TheQueenhad laid a hand on her back then, patting it softly before leaving her to calm her emotions.
Ashwas lost in her memories, hardly paying attention to the food she consumed whenClairanniaandFiguerahstepped into the dining hall.
