“You will help me see that all these deaths have meaning? That there is no pointless suffering… even if they cannot see how their pain has a hand in fate?”
I will.
“Thank you.” Vi beamed from ear to ear. “Is now the time?”
Not yet. Enjoy your final hours on this earth.
“When it happens, will it hurt?”
No, it will not hurt. When it happens, you will not feel anything.
“Good,” Vi murmured. She closed her eyes, thinking of the most logical path to Salvidia. It would take them at least five days to get there. That was a lot of time to sit with a goddess. “I would like to ask you something.”
You would like to ask me a great many things.
“True.” She chuckled faintly. Laughter felt weird now. Even breathing felt strange, as though it was an unnecessary task her body insisted on doing. Yet, when she tried to stop, her lungs burned until her mouth gave in. “Tell me of the world beyond Salvidia? Tell me what lies beyond the seas, beyond the large continent to the southwest of Meru?”
You wish to know of the whole world.
“Yes.” Vi closed her eyes, remembering the vision Yargen had given her of the room high above the world. The place where everything was seen and known.
You will know it, child.
“When?”
When we reach the final stop on your journey, I will give you the opportunity to know everything.
* * *
Vi stood on the deck of the vessel as they approached the isle of the elfin’ra. It was a barren place, with stone structures cutting up the horizon like pretend mountains. Somewhere, in the center of it all, were those ritualistic ruins that had stood for centuries. The same ruins Vi had seen in one of her early visions.
In that vision, there had been a body wrapped in a bag. A blood-offering had summoned Raspian in the failed future she’d been born into. Taavin had explained to her then that there were three ways to summon Raspian—the blood of the Voice, the blood of the Champion, or the ashes of the flame.
In this world, Vi came willingly. They would not need her blood because the ashes of the Flame of Yargen would be freely given to summon the dark god.
“I’m not asking my crew to get any closer,” Adela grumbled at her side. “I hope you’re a strong swimmer.”
“Give me a rowboat, that’s all I require.”
“Fine, then our deal is done.”
“There are terms that persist.” Vi faced the pirate queen. “The boy Fallor.”
“Yes, I understand, I’ll never touch him.” Adela looked forward. “Now stop staring at me with those creepy eyes.”
Adela feared her now, too. The fear that vibrated at her edges was different than the others. Adela still denied being afraid to herself. The pirate had stopped allowing fear to enter her mind long, long ago. So the fear was suppressed and muted. But itwasfear, nonetheless.
Adela demanded a rowboat be readied. Vi followed close behind.
“Here’s your rowboat.” The pirate queen motioned to the vessel. “Now I’ve done all you asked. Tell me of these passageways into the Archives.”
Vi looked at Deneya. In her hands was the box holding the ashes of the Flame of Yargen. Just from the way she held herself, she stuck out in the group of pirates. She could never fit in here, and Adela would take her far from Risen if Vi didn’t do something.
Perhaps Deneya had been wrong, and there was just enough humanity within her to save an old friend. Vi silently thanked Yargen for making her wait to absorb the last part of the goddess’s essence.
“Deneya will show you the passages. Take her back to Risen.”
“I’m coming with you,” Deneya said, stepping forward.
