Page 118 of The Eye of the Fifth
Naal was unsure how to proceed. Kyra’s emotions were volatile at the best of times. She did not want to upset her further. ‘He will understand, Kyra,’ she said eventually. ‘In time, Kawai will understand why.’
‘I said, I don’t want to talk about it.’
‘Then I shall say no more.’
Kyra plonked herself down on the bunk and stared at her booted feet. ‘So, what now? We go to Nevatis, recruit Kano, then all travel back to Phaenon like one big, happy Warden family?’
Her tone of voice was unbearably sardonic. More so than usual. ‘Simply put, but yes,’ Naal sighed. ‘Though I think it wise to assume it will not be as easy as that.’
‘Of course not.’
Naal eyed Kyra for a moment, now inspecting her nail beds, and for some reason it felt as good a time as any to tell her. To take her mind off the betrayed raider. ‘Kyra, there is something you should know. The Fire Warden is in Phaenon.’
Green eyes snapped up. ‘What?’
‘The message the hawk carried was from Maida. There is still much I do not know, but apparently the Prince of Fire has had a change of heart and seeks an audience with me. I believe he wants to form an alliance.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me sooner?’ Kyra demanded. She appeared to be quite alarmed by the news. ‘Where is he? Did he hurt anyone else?’
‘No,’ Naal assured her. ‘My Eternals have him locked in the ice cells on the edge of the mountain. He will stay there until we return.’
‘And do you… do you believe him?’ Kyra asked slowly. Her throat bobbed. ‘That he’s changed?’
‘Nysari certainly does not think so, but it remains to be seen. When we arrive back in Phaenon, there will be a trial. We will hear what he has to say and decide amongst ourselves what ought to become of him.’
A troubled glaze rippled over the Earth Warden’s features. She fell silent, lost in thought. Naal did not want to interrupt her moment of reflection, but the need to reassure her young charge was too overwhelming. ‘It is perfectly normal to be afraid, Kyra.’
Kyra looked up, her reverie broken. ‘I’m not scared,’ she said quietly, and Naal believed her. ‘I’m just… surprised is all. I didn’t expect this. Not from him.’
‘I do not think even Eraura herself could have expected this,’ Naal said grimly. ‘Or perhaps she did. Even we cannot understand the ways and wants of the Mothers.’
Kyra nodded, and seemed, if possible, even more tired than she’d been before. As though this news was weighing heavily on her.
‘When the time of the Fire Warden’s trial comes, you will have a vote in the outcome, Kyra. Your opinion matters very much to me.’
Something seemed to soften and harden simultaneously on Kyra’s face. There was pain behind those eyes of green, pain that Naal could not quite understand. ‘Thank you,’ Kyra murmured, then swiftly changed the subject. ‘So, Nevatis. How will that work? The last time I checked, neither you or I had a tail.’
‘Hopefully we will not have to get wet at all,’ Naal said. ‘My relationship with the mer-king is not quite as terse as it is with Therion. In fact, Cyraneous despises Therion as much as I do. If Kano is indeed in Nevatis, I have no doubt that the merking himself has kept him close at hand. Cyraneous has a deep distrust of outsiders but his faith to Corla remains unfaltering. He will have realised who Kano is instantly and vowed to protect him. If we appeal to the merking, we appeal to Kano.’
‘Great,’ Kyra said, though she sounded less than enthused. ‘Let’s go, then. I want off of this damned ship.’ She stood and skulked to the door.
‘Kyra.’
‘What?’
Naal waited until her eyes found her own. Waited until she knew she had her full attention. ‘I know this has been hard on you. I know your Warden magic is getting the best of you.’
She laughed humourlessly. ‘I think you mean mylackof Warden magic, Naal. Say it how it is.’
‘You do notlackthe magic, Kyra, only the discipline it takes to wield it.’
‘That makes me feel so much better, thank you.’
‘I did not mean to-’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Kyra mumbled, waving a dismissive hand. ‘Are we done?’
Frustration swept through Naal, for she wanted nothing more than to supporther, to guide her into this life as a Warden. But at every turn, Kyra was battling that helping hand. Naal bit down on all of that and said, ‘I suppose we are.’
