Unique opportunity.Vi didn’t know yet if she liked those words.
Arwin didn’t say anything else as they left the baths, starting up through the palace wordlessly. Vi repeated the conversation in her head verbatim, wondering where she’d gone wrong. Perhaps it was bringing up Adela? Taavin had said that Fallor was a notable outcast of the morphi, and he was in Adela’s service…
Vi suppressed a groan. She should’ve thought of that sooner.
Her mind swirled around the possibilities as they made their way along the spiral staircases of the palace, down to the throne room Vi had been first taken to days before. Just like then, King Noct sat on his large sofa, hands folded over his round belly, watching children play in the courtyard beyond.
“What is it, daughter?” the king asked, slowly drawing his eyes to Arwin. They drifted over Vi as well, pausing. “I see the weapon is becoming a part of you.”
Vi shifted her grip on the scythe. It was less cumbersome than she’d originally thought it would be—perhaps because it was surprisingly light. Or because she could feel the power radiating through it underneath her fingers. Either way, carrying it was indeed becoming more instinctive.
“I don’t enjoy letting it out of my sight,” Vi said quietly. Then added quickly, “I know it’s safe here, but—”
“But that is the right decision. You cannot be too cautious… and the weapon must get to know its new champion. Perhaps Arwin can fashion a sling for you to better carry it with.” At the mention of his daughter, he turned to Arwin. “Why have you come with such a severe expression?”
“Father, there is something we have overlooked—a detail our guest has neglected to share.”
“What is this?” The king looked back to her.
“Well… I had been telling Arwin about my quest to find my father,” Vi started, glancing between the two.
“Yes, one of the reasons that you came to Meru.”
“It’s not that she’s finding him—it’swhereher father is,” Arwin said gruffly before motioning for Vi to continue.
“He’s on the Isle of Frost, your highness,” Vi said delicately. “Adela has him.”
“The Isle of Frost…” the king repeated softly. His eyes drifted back to Arwin. “I know what you are thinking.”
“Father, I must. This is my chance.”
“I remain firm in my—”
“Your stance has always been that I cannot go alone,” Arwin interrupted, “and that has been enough, because you forbade my sisters from going with me on my mission.” Arwin took a step forward. “Well, now I will not be alone. I will have a companion on the journey—a companion who is not your daughter and will be going anyway.”
“A companion who also doesn’t know this land. Who is not a warrior like yourself and can’t protect you.”
Were she able to show the king her Lightspinning, he might think differently. But Vi kept her mouth shut.
“I can take care of myself—you know I can. She has the scythe and is improving. At the very least, she can guide the way—I’ve seen her with her maps, father.” Arwin looked to Vi. “You know how to get there, don’t you?”
“I do,” Vi said with slightly more confidence than she felt.
“If you go, you will die at Adela’s hand.”
“Your highness,” Vi interjected quickly before the conversation could take yet another repetitive turn. “I do not fully understand the depth of all you are discussing… But if Arwin wishes to join me, then I beseech you to let her.” Vi glanced at Arwin. The woman had a desperate look to her eyes. Vi didn’t know what she was bargaining for just yet—what had given Arwin this fire—but if it resulted in the help she needed, she would handle the rest as it came. “I must save my father.”
“You must save this world.”
“I know that,” Vi nearly snapped back at him. The only thing keeping her voice level was her years of royal training. She had no idea how she was going to save the world—she was still just trying to save the ones she loved. “But I also know this: Arwin is the best teacher I’ll be able to find for this weapon.” Vi shifted her grip on the scythe. “How will I be ready to fight to save our world if I can’t keep training?”
The king was silent.
“I also know that I won’t be able to focus on defeating Raspian if I’m worried for my father’s life. I want to save himandthe world. All my life, I have been trying to reunite with my family… I don’t want to live in a saved world where I cannot.”
Noct pursed his lips slightly. She could tell she was trying his patience. But Vi took his continued silence as an indication that she still held the upper hand on the matter.
“I’ve been told there is a shift around the Isle of Frost—much like the one here. I’m hoping there are tears in that shift, too—tears I plan to exploit.” Vi tried to counter his argument before he could make it. “But I’d rather not risk that chance. I’d rather know that once I sail for the Isle of Frost, I will be able to get to my father. If you don’t allow Arwin to accompany me for her own reasons, let her come to train me and ensure I can get past the Isle’s shift. Please, I—”
