Page 169 of Anathema

In the library, I found Dolion and Allura hunched over piles of scrolls and books, as usual. The bones sat in two mounds, one of which was separated further into sets that Allura had determined belonged to different people.

As I approached, Dolion removed his spectacles. “Good morning. You’re a bit early today.”

“Zevander missed training again.” I cringed at the somber tone of my voice.

“Hmm. That makes four times in the last week. Has he taught you anything new?”

“Nothing as of late.”

“I suspect he’s distancing himself a bit.” Dolion’s puzzling words stuck in my head, as he waved to the seat across from him. “Sit. I need to speak with you about something.”

For the briefest moment, I thought he planned to chide me for drinking with Rykaia the night before, until I remembered it wasn’t Foxglove, nor Grandfather Bronwick’s waning supply of morumberry wine. Nor Aleysia. The rules I’d grown up with didn’t exist here, and I wouldn’t be subjected to punishment simply for being silly. I sat down as he’d asked, entwining my fingers.

“I’m leaving for Calyxar this evening. And … you’ll be coming with me.”

“Calyxar? Is that a village?”

“It’s an island, in the south.” He nodded toward Allura. “The land of our people.”

Wariness settled over me at the thought of traveling to somewhere I presumed to be even farther away from my sister. “And what about Zevander?”

“He agreed to let me take you. A precaution, as there seems to be quite a bit of unrest in Costelwick. Although, that also makes it the perfect opportunity to slip away unnoticed.”

“He agreed to this?” It felt like a betrayal that he’d gone behind my back to discuss these plans.

“Very much. He longs to do what’s best for you.”

“I see.” I turned my attention to Allura. “And will you accompany us?”

Lips tight, she shook her head. “I’m afraid not. I must return to the House of Sages to continue my studies.”

“So … it’ll just be the two of us.”

“Yes. Which is best. We’ll draw less attention that way.”

“And … what about my sister? What about returning to Mortasia?”

Dolion scratched the back of his neck. “I don’t think that’s wise, Maevyth.”

“But … you promised. You promised that, if I learned how to use my powers, you would personally escort me back to the woods.” With a quickening anger, I clenched my fists. “You lied to me.”

“I did not lie. You haven’t even begun to learn your major glyphs. There are scholars in Calyxar, the most brilliant minds in Aethyria, who may be able to shed light on some of these.”

“I don’t care about glyphs!” I slammed my fist against the table, knocking the bones out of their piles. “I don’t care about anything but my sister right now. She is the only family I have, Dolion. The only piece of my world that I care to keep.”

“Forgive me, but I will not escort you into danger. There are ruthless mages that long to turn your blood to stone, Maevyth. Should they find you–”

“I’m not going to Calyxar. I’m not giving up on my sister.” I pushed to my feet and stormed out of the library, my blood seething with anger. While the rational half of me understood Dolion’s intentions, or at least thought I did, the other side couldn’t allow him to sweep me away to an island in the middle of nowhere. Studying the glyphs and old bones and learning my powers meant little to me while the fate of my sister remained unknown.

Up the staircase and down the corridor, I found myself standing before Rykaia’s room.

I knocked on the door.

With a goblet in hand, she smiled. “Change your mind about going?”

My muscles still shook with anger. “Will there be mages there?”

“Yes. Of course. The king’s mages are expected to be in attendance.”

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