Merrick’s face contorted in rage, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
Before Levitt could answer, I broke in. “He’s also my apprentice in the forge. Assuming there’s a place for me there, I’d like to continue his training.”
Levitt arched a brow. “We accept the offering of the farm. And Kit, it’s been a while since we’ve had a competent smith working the forge. I think we can arrange to place you both there. In a few weeks, the other initiates will receive their brands, and you’ll join them afterward for the second Oath.”
“Mister Koesters will receive his brand along with the other new initiates,” Merrick corrected.
It was all I could do not to glower at him.
Levitt sighed. “Kit has already completed the first Oath. I should know; I was there.”
“It’s been thirteen years, Your Eminence.” The elder Oliver brother returned to his post against the desk, covering his anger with a smug smile. “The law requires any initiate to begin the Oaths again if they haven’t completed all seven within the span of a decade.”
“Surely, an exception can be made given the circumstances?—”
“If exceptions can be made to one part of the law, what will stop others from claiming they’re due exceptions as well?” Merrick’s volume increased as he carried on. “It sets a dangerous precedent, Your Eminence. It would beunwise to allow a single Oath from thirteen years ago to destabilize all we’ve built here.”
Levitt lifted his left hand to pinch his temples between his thumb and forefinger. I didn’t blame him; listening to Merrick spout rules and vitriol was giving me a headache, too.
“You have a point.” He let his hand fall to his side, then aimed an apologetic look my way. “Kit, I’m afraid this means you’ll need to start from the beginning with everyone else.”
Any hope of a reprieve from being re-branded died, and I forced a smile. “To follow Eeus is to suffer. It would be an honor to suffer for him again.”
Levitt returned my smile. “I always envied your faith, Kit. Please let me know if there’s anything you need as you settle in. It’ll be nice to see you finally take the place here you always deserved.” He looked back at Penny. “And I look forward to seeing you thrive under Kit’s guidance. You couldn’t be in better hands.”
Penny nodded. “I agree, sir.”
Bile rose in the back of my throat and choked any response I could have given.
It was probably for the best.
20
Penny
Cool air wicked the sweat off my forehead as I hurried out of the Right Hand’s chambers. I led Kit for a change, putting distance between us as we traversed the short hallway, then started down the first flight of stairs.
My heart had not stopped thundering through the entire meeting with the Right Hand. Even now, it pulsed in my ears so loudly that I barely heard the gruff shout from behind me.
“Penwell!”
I stopped, recognizing the tone and the use of a name I’d been informed was much too distinguished for me. Turning, I watched Merrick storm down the steps toward us. His ceremonial robe fluttered behind him, and a bone necklace rattled around his neck. He looked absurd with his sleeves belled out and his high collar so stiff and tight it must have been strangling.
Despite his fanciful clothing, his expression was full of the same fury as when he caught me sketching while I wasmeant to be tilling, or the time I rode our plow horse in a rainstorm and brought her back missing a shoe.
Merrick blew past Kit, who had stopped on the stairs between us and now watched, tense and poised to step in, as my brother closed the gap to me. I stayed in place, but Merrick grabbed my wrist anyway as if wanting to ensure I couldn’t escape.
“Penwell,” he hissed, then threw a sneer at Kit before turning back to me. “I hope you have a better explanation for your presence here than the one I just heard.”
My skin prickled at his touch, and I thought to pull away. But I recalled what Kit had said about arrogance and tried a different tack. “Father is dead.” I met my brother’s gaze evenly. “That was true enough.”
“Worshipping Eeus, though. You?” He scoffed. “You couldn’t be bothered to muck out horse stalls and scoop chicken shit. What care could you have for a higher power?”
Kit closed in at Merrick’s back, standing on the step above us looking severe with his dark clothes and stormy expression. “If his reason is good enough for the Right Hand, it will have to be good enough for you,” he said.
Merrick released me and looked Kit up and down with no small amount of disdain.
“The Right Hand and I rarely see eye to eye,” he said, his jaw tight. “I have as much doubt about Penwell’s reason for joining our order as I do about how well his efforts will reflect on you. You may come to regret having his name associated with yours.” Merrick pinned me with a look of disgust as he added, “I certainly have.”
