Page 114 of Ashes of Gold
Iama leader, whether I want to be one or not.
My Ancestors’ daughter.
It’s who I am. Who I’ve always been. Who my people are.
And I, Rue from East Row, am enough to fill those shoes.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
BENEATH THE TREES OUTSIDEthe Ancestors’ grave site, the Macazi and Ghizoni surround me. Whispers flit like fireflies among the branches as morning sun peeks between the canopy. Thick leaves with beaded dew glitter in the light. Everyone’s watching, waiting. Even Shaun leans on a timber, arms folded. I hope he’s here for the right reasons.
When Jue, Rojala, and I returned, I’d found everyone still lingering over the Ancestors who’d come and gone. I told them to form up, that I had something to say. And I guess because of what’s just happened, everyone wants to hear it. Almost everyone.
“Have you seen Kai?” I ask Julius, who’s helping Bri fold a piece of metal for some sort of suction gadget she’s messing with.
Neither she nor the Yakanna nor Jhamal are anywhere to be seen. And after the reunion Zora had with her sisters, I can only assume Zora knows now where Kai stands. And I guess where the Yakanna stand, by default. I don’t like it, but the Yakanna are loyal to one another. I have to trudge forward.
“Not since we got back.” His tongue pokes his cheek.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m trying to make a second one of these suction things,” Bri says. “I have an idea.”
Taavi’s worn expression flashes between the trees and I flag her down.
“Where do you want us?” she starts, before I can even mention why I called her name.
“I need lead.”
Her forehead crinkles.
“The lead you used to line your home. Where’d you get it?”
“For what? Is this a new plan? The Ancestors. I thought…”
“It’s a slight amendment. Is there more?”
“Yes, there’s plenty at a dump site on the outskirts of the Lower Central District.
“Take as many as you need and get it.”
“It’s really heavy.”
“Just bring me what you can carry, I can expand it with a spell.”
“Okay. Can I ask what it’s for?”
“Why?”
“I just want to know what the plan is, is all.” She doesn’t meet my eyes. “And look… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the Chancellor being my father. I was ashamed, if I’m honest. And I didn’t want you to think less of me.” Something sours on my tongue about her apology, but I swallow it down. I give her the benefit of the doubt. I get having a complicated relationship with your father and not wanting to talk about it.
“Just don’t keep anything else from me and we’re good.” I offer a handshake and she takes it.
With Taavi off to get the lead, I face the group. “Form up, I’d like to address all of you.” It wasn’t coincidental that I sent Taavi off toget the lead before addressing the masses here. I’m not naive. If she can withhold info once, she can do it again. And I prefer not to take any risks with this new plan. This is my final shot. If this doesn’t work, we’ll all be done for. Erased.
Julius and Bri pop a squat on the ground, and Rojala sits beside them. The Seer is folded up next to a tree in the distance. Her eyes are closed, but I know she’s listening. I look for jade-dotted armor one more time but don’t spot any. Jhamal must be with Kai, too. Julius gives me a head nod to begin, and I dig out words I should have found a long time ago.
“Listen, I don’t have all the answers and I can’t pretend to.” Hundreds of eyes stare back at me between the trees. Macazi, Ghizoni, Beerchi. People on this island who have watched their understanding of the world crack and crumble these past several weeks. I have to show them I can put it back together, rightly, stone upon stone.
