Page 110 of Trial of Thorns
And she should be in her element, but instead, she’s petrified.
“Welcome,” a voice booms.
Caelynn jerks so hard she nearly trips over a stone, and I find my hands at her hips steadying her. My fingers graze the skin of her stomach, where the cloth has ripped away, and I swallow. Her breathing evens.
“Champions, I am the Sphynx.” I can’t see any form before us, only stones and darkness. “Approach and answer your riddle.”
Caelynn’s breath is shaky, but she steps forward, out of my arms.
I follow behind her.
“Caelynn of the Shadow Court. You are first to find me.”
She doesn’t respond.
“Your riddle will appear only once, and only you may answer.”
“Is there a time limit?” Caelynn asks, her voice surprisingly strong.
“Only the limit set by the trials—sun down.” There are still several hours before then. “You must also answer before leaving the cave system. Otherwise, you may take as much time as you like.”
“Okay, I am ready.”
Against the massive flat wall in front of us, black writing appears among the stone.
Battle is my purpose, but I have no ability to fight
I am bitten again and again, enduring pain for the betterment of another
Ever diligent, I await the next attack
I may cover a wound, but it cannot heal until it sheds my protection
Caelynn reads the words aloud three times. An echoing reverberates behind me, and I jerk my head around. The sound disappears.
“Can you remember it? I’d like to get mine before someone else comes.”
Caelynn nods, casting her eyes over the riddle one more time, then she steps back and allows me to approach the wall.
“Reveln of the Luminescent Court. You are the second to approach.”
“Yes, please hurry, I know the rules.”
“Very well.” The Sphynx’s voice purrs, and new words appear against the stone wall.
Every living soul searches for me
Every living soul fears me in the hands of another
Darkness hides, but I reveal
I strike without warning, and no shield can stop me
I will rip apart hearts and souls, or repair incurable wounds
I read the words slowly, carefully. At first it sounds like a weapon, which would also fit Caelynn’s riddle—whose answer I suspect is “shield” or perhaps “armor.”
It’s fitting for her—she shields her true self so thoroughly, her wounds clearly not healing. But mine I am less certain of. What weapon reveals and cures wounds? Definitely something that can be used as a weapon in the wrong hands.
