Page 21 of Prisoner of Darkness and Dreams
When he does speak, his voice is clear and sharp as a bell.
“Your deceptions can’t undo the fact that His Grace is no ordinary man. He is far superior to us all, a blessed being, the like of which this land hasn’t seen for millennia. Since Ethira walked the earth.”
I laugh bitterly. “You think that self-obsessed maniac is anything like Ethira? A literalgod?”
“A man who became a god,” Sophos corrects me. “And His Grace will be blessed by the gods with the same immortality eventually. Those of us closest to him have been anticipating it for some time.”
So that’s what it’s about. Caledon doesn’t just want to be the most powerful man in the kingdom. No, he wants to be as powerful as a god. That’s why he’s so focused on accumulating magic. He already knows it can extend his life, and now he’s aiming higher—hoping it will take him to true immortality.
My stomach sinks at the idea. I don’t think the real gods would ever accept a monster like Caledon in their ranks. But he already seems untouchable. If there was a way he could be a bit more godlike—say, physically invincible—what hope would we have of beating him?
But why is Sophos, of all people, telling me about the Grand Bearer’s ultimate goals? It might sound like he was bragging about them, but that doesn’t seem to be his character. His brand of fanaticism is quiet and unflashy. So why has he bothered coming down here to rub this in?
What is this conversation really about?
Of course it could be a trick, but if it is, I don’t get the catch. “Is that all you came here to tell me?” I ask.
Sophos doesn’t reply, but his hand automatically reaches to clasp the other, and when he’s left clutching air, it clearly throws him. For a second, I don’t see the cool, controlled bearer who commanded the Otscold purge or chased us down at Bastion. Instead, he looks uncertain. Even lost.
I blink, and that perspective is gone. Sophos is reaching for the cell door with an imperious glance in my direction.
“Goodbye, Morgana Angevire,” Sophos says, signaling that our audience is over.
As soon as the door slams shut behind him, the fizz of magic around me dissipates, and I know Sophos’s bubble of silence is gone.
“Lafia?” I murmur into the gloom.
“Morgana?” Her voice rings out from the grate. I drag myself over to it.
“Yes, I’m here,” I say, feeling a surge of gratitude that my prison mate is still here with me.
“What was that?” she asks. “I heard someone coming to your cell and then just silence. I was starting to get worried.”
“It was Bearer Sophos.”
“Ah, well…That explains the silence.”
“You’re familiar with him then,” I say grimly.
“Of course. He’s Caledon’s favorite bearer. He’s a legend in the Temple.” Lafia says she holds no illusions about the Temple now, but old habits die hard, and I can hear the hint of intimidated awe in her voice when she talks about the bearer.
“Well then maybeyoucan tellmewhat just happened.”
I give a quick summary of the conversation.
“You’re right about one thing,” Lafia says. “Bearer Sophos wouldn’t have come here to brag. He’s terrifying, but he’s also known to be the least arrogant of the bearers. He really lives to serve the Temple. He has no interest in mocking the people he believes sin against it.”
“And what would be the point, if he expects Caledon to execute me soon anyway?” I add.
You really think the fae prince will come for you?His question rings in my ears.DoI think Leon will come find me?
I don’t just think it. I’m counting on it.
Chapter 7
Leon
I’ve been to many foul places in my life, but few as insidious as Trova’s so-called “holy” city. A hot wind whistles between the sparkling white buildings, but there’s none of the intense smells or noise you’d usually expect in a city. The streets are spotless and quiet—yet none of it feels peaceful or welcoming. Instead, a stifling atmosphere presses down on us as soon as we enter the outskirts of Qimorna. The whole ivory metropolis makes me think of a skeleton picked clean by vultures and baked in the midday sun.
