Page 76 of Of Empires and Dust

“You all talk of honour—” Aeson cast his gaze across the Triarchy and the Ephorí, holding it a half-second longer on Thurivîr and Galdra “—and yet you prance around this city as though the world outside is not in flames. You call Therin faithless, strip him of his honour, and treat him as though he is not worth the shit on your boot, when, in truth, he is your better in every way.”

“Careful, Aeson.” Galdra walked slowly around the table, all the rage gone from his eyes. He spoke with calm, but his voice was laced with violence. “You are drawing a line that cannot be undone. You are not a fool. Do not act one.”

Aeson moved square to Galdra. “You asked Therin to choose sides in a war between his people. A war he did not believe in. He chose exile instead of creating more division and for that you claim he is without honour. Yet while you hid in this woodland, pretending you were making a difference, Therin continued to fight. When his own people turned his back on him, hecontinuedto fight. Líra built this city to keep you safe, and you cast her Ayar Elwyn from its walls and poisoned their daughter against him. The problem with honour, King Galdra, is that it lies in the eye of the beholder, and in my eyes, yours is lacking while Therin’s is unquestionable.” Aeson looked to Therin, who stood in shock, his mouth ajar. “All these years, I have stood by and said nothing, and for that I failed you. Laël sanyin, myia yíar. Uvrín mír.”

I am sorry, my friend. Forgive me.

“Du é uvrínil.”

You are forgiven.

A palpable sense of relief clung to Therin’s voice, the most fragile of smiles adorning his lips.

“As beautiful and moving as this all is,” Chora said, her arms folded as she sat in her chair. She gestured towards Kallinvar. “I believe it best we settle our grievances later.”

King Galdra looked to Chora and, after a moment of silence, inclined his head. “Well spoken, Rakina.” He turned his gaze to Aeson. “We will settle this another time. But wewillsettle it.”

The king moved back to the far side of the table and nodded to Kallinvar.

“The Blood Moon is only the beginning,” Kallinvar continued. “Efialtír seeks to cross the veil himself and take form in this world.”

“Is that even possible?” Aeson asked.

“There is a vessel known as the Heart of Blood that we believe, if used by The Traitor’s Chosen, possesses the ability to tear a rift in the veil large enough for such a thing.”

“And where is this ‘Heart of Blood’?” Uthrían clasped her right wrist with her left hand.

“We do not know. That is why we need your help. What we do know is that Fane does not hold it. If he did, we would not be having this conversation. The Watchers in our temple have been consulting the old texts and have surmised a number of locations where they believe the Heart may reside.”

Kallinvar walked around the stone table, tapping spots with his finger: Mar Dorul, Kolmir, Mount Helmund, Ilnaen, Wolfpine Ridge, the Marin Mountains.

“Those are not places you can simply walk into.” Harken Holdark folded his arms as he moved to the table's edge. “They are also not places easily searched.”

“They are mountain ranges and a wasteland,” Chora remarked. “It would not be searching for a needle in a haystack.It would be searching for a needle in a field of burning corn with wool over your eyes.”

“There is no choice.” Kallinvar leaned against the table. “We cannot allow Fane to find the Heart before we do. If he does, everything you know and love will perish. This war will mean nothing because there will be nobody left to fight it and nothing left to fight for.”

Queen Uthrían opened her hands wide. “What if the Blood Moon sets and nobody finds this Heart? We are better off fighting the war of steel and flesh and blood than chasing the ghost of something that might never be found. If we ignore the Lorians, theywillkill us. If we leave thisHeart of Blood,it may simply be lost forever and our task will be complete without a wasted second.”

“Kallinvar, we vowed to fight together. To stand by each other’s side in this war.” Aeson gestured towards the table. “But we cannot simply abandon everything to go searching for something that may not even exist. We don’t have the numbers. Not yet. There are contacts I have in Al’Nasla, Berona, and Catagan who are well placed. I will send word that they are to hunt down any traces of this ‘Heart of Blood’. If the empire finds it, we will know. And as soon as we know, we will rain down fire and fury. I promise you.”

“Empty promises and empty words.” Kallinvar let out a long sigh, then shook his head. “I should have known better."

“On my honour, I swear it.” Calen reached out and offered his hand to Kallinvar, and every elf in the room – particularly Therin – stared at him with open mouths. Were it anyone else, Aeson wouldn’t have thought much of it, but Calen knew what it was to swear on his honour in an elven realm. “My father always taught me that a man’s vow is a sacred thing and that I should not give it unless I intend to answer when called to fulfil it.”

Kallinvar grasped Calen’s forearm. “Your father was a wise man.”

“He casts a large shadow.” Calen gave a sharp nod. “If you find this thing you’re looking for, or if Fane does, call us and we will come.”

In the valley beyond a roar rose to rival thunder.

Chapter 18

Our Choices Define Us

7thDay of the Blood Moon

Berona – Winter, Year 3081 After Doom

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