Page 127

“Who are we to dictate to a god what will be required?”

“Though—” Grand Keeper Gyerhna scrutinized the older man. “Balance can usually be achieved in multiple ways, yes?”

The scholar shook his head, frustration curling his lips into a frown. Iryana was inclined to agree with him. The Grand Keepers of Thelbiz began talking rapidly, leaving Iryana and the First to wait.

“Before the great war between the gods, Thelbiz had many trusted champions. They were his agents in the world, and he guided them closely.”

“He was a mediator between the gods.”

Back and forth they went, dissecting small things the legends said about their gods.

“Do you have advice on what we should do?” the First asked, cutting in.

Kresik glared at her, but Iryana was grateful. She felt antsy. Untethered.

“Well. We can brace for the gods’ war, or…” Grand Keeper Gyerhna hesitated, looking to Iryana. “You can find him again, beseech him to prevent this war. Perhaps there is something we can do to achieve balance a different way.

Grand Keeper Kresik added, “We could welcome him at Lake Vrasho, he could have his choice of champions. There are alternatives to war.”

“You…” Iryana couldn’t find the words; it was such a stupid plan. What could a few champions do to avoid a war that a god could not do himself? “You’re his Grand Keepers; shouldn’t you be the ones to find and beseech Thelbiz? I’m not even forged with his magic.”

The Grand Keepers shifted uncomfortably, the older one answering in his creaky voice. “Surely you can’t find a god that doesn’t want to be found. And Thelbiz clearly allowed you to find him once. Perhaps he will do so again. Besides, we’re not fit to go beyond the wall. It’s far too dangerous.”

But they’d send her?

“Is this the duchess’s plan? Try to change the mind of a god?” the First asked, voice hard.

It was a fool’s mission. And the Grand Keepers were clearly just cowards.

“The duchess is planning for all eventualities, of course,” Gyerhna explained. “But we have run this option past her. She is optimistic.”

Iryana swallowed, forcing the tension out of her shoulders, and asked, “What about the supplies we requested?” There was a lot they’d need to build additional fortifications. “And more volunteers?”

She wasn’t going to just wander out into the woods again and hope she happened upon Thelbiz. She’d already begged him to help, to change his mind. And her people needed her now.

“Unfortunately, the duchess needs all the hands and supplies she has,” Kresik drawled. “She is having more housing and defenses built at Lake Vrasho. The fallback locations in the Sky Valley are being reinforced.”

“She’s planning for us to fail, for the border to fall,” Iryana said tightly, trying to conceal her anger. “And yet she will do nothing to help us?”

“Your mission is the same as always.” Kresik turned to the First. “Hold your border as long as you can, and if you cannot, send the signal.”

She was trying not to shake, and the First gave her a look that said to calm down.

“And what of those beyond our borders? The clans’ alliance with them?” she demanded.

Gyerhna answered calmly, unaware of or not caring that Iryana was close to losing her temper. “Whatever helps you hold the border is of course supported by the duchess. But the military gangs outside of the settlement are beyond what we can concern ourselves with.”

A buzzing in Iryana’s head drowned out their voices. They were on their own. Her clan risked their lives every day, and the duchess didn’t care. All the clans were a sacrifice that the duchess was prepared to make. And even though that was their entire purpose, Iryana couldn’t help but feel betrayed.

She understood a little more how the brigades felt.

Iryana found her eyes drawn to the scholar. He sat on the far side of the room, farther from the fire, though he still wore his coat. He wasn’t even trying to engage in the conversation, and Iryana wondered if he had little relationship with the duchess. Instead of paying attention to what the Grand Keepers and the First were saying, he was staring at Iryana. His eyes were slightly narrowed, but distant. As if sorting through things in his mind.

“Iryana?” The First’s sharp voice cut through the noise in her head.

She blinked, sucking cold air into her lungs to focus. “Sorry, could you repeat that?”

“It would help to hear again what Thelbiz said about the war,” Kresik grumbled, clearly upset at having to repeat himself.