“My father was self-important enough to personally document everything. He kept meticulous records of his time here.” I couldn’t help a chuckle as I sank down into one of the armchairs in front of the windows. “I stole all twelve of his journals when I ran. I have a feeling he was angrier about losing those than he was about losing me.”
Levitt glanced up again. “There are more?”
I nodded. “Six of the originals—I burned the others—and eight more I found here at the house that he wrote after I left.”
“Gods.” He returned his eyes to the journal. “I’m sure I’ll regret it, but might I see the rest of them someday?”
“You’re welcome to them whenever you’d like.”
We fell silent while he read through the second entry, turning pages and going further than even I had.
“I knew it wasn’t technically against the rules to appoint someone to a position of authority before their Oaths were complete,” he said after several minutes. “But it’s uncommon and rarely anything above a Sentinel. But this gives us precedence to use to support putting you forth as Shroud Warden. I can use this.”
Sitting back in his chair, he met my eyes again. “But unfortunately, the Sentinels are currently at least equally divided. If I put it to a vote now, I wouldn’t have the majority. After Merrick's false accusations against you, he’s lost some favor, but things might change more rapidly if you can impress them while I do what I can from my side.”
“I’ll be the first back from the second Oath. Think that’ll be enough to start turning the tide?”
Levitt grinned. “Cocky, aren’t you?”
I shrugged and fought against my own smile. “Suitably confident. I know a place.”
He shook his head and snickered. “I think that’ll put you well on your way if you can manage it.” After a moment, his expression melted into one more thoughtful than amused. “What does Penny think of all of this? Of you trying to take his brother’s position?”
Frankly, Penny hated the idea. Not because I was ousting Merrick, but because he didn’t want either of us to be any more entrenched here than we needed to be. He grudgingly accepted my decision, much like I’d accepted his when he opted to undertake the Oaths, but he wasn’t happy about it.
“He’ll be glad when Merrick no longer has any authority over us,” I said instead, just enough truth to satisfy the Right Hand without giving too much away. “He had enough of that to last a lifetime before we got here.”
“Not sure I can blame him,” Levitt said.
“Speaking of Penny…” I pushed up out of my chair. “He was starting lunch when I left, so I should be getting back.”
“Of course.” Levitt rose as well, resting his hand on the open journal in front of him. “Do you mind if I hang onto these for a bit?”
“Not at all.”
He came around the desk and followed me to the door, stopping me with a touch to my arm as I crossed the threshold.
“Come see me for a social call next time,” he said with a soft smile.
I returned the expression as I tugged my hood up. “Of course.”
“I really am glad you’re back, you know. This place wasn’t the same without you.”
If I had any say in the matter, it wouldn’t be the samewithme, either.
3
Kit
By the next morning, the snow and wind had died back, but the cold showed no signs of letting up. Lucky for Penny and me, the glowing coals in the forge kept our space warm against the winter’s chill.
The most pressing job for the day was sharpening and polishing the trowel the herbalist’s assistant and our fellow initiate, Isla, had dropped off a few days before. She was due to pick it up before we closed for the evening, but with several hours still to go, I was more focused on showing Penny things I thought he’d find interesting.
For once, he was keeping close to the forge to take advantage of the heat. He ferried tools from the rack and back and listened intently while I explained each task, though he stopped short of actually assisting when I offered him the spare apron and a hammer. A pity because Penny working over the anvil would have been quite a sight.
With barely more than a week until we were slated to set out from Ashpoint in search of a body to offer to Eeus in the second Oath, we had our work cut out for us to clear therepair racks and fulfill the orders for new soup pots and cooking cauldrons for the pub before we left. There was no telling how long we’d be gone. I’d told both Penny and Levitt I had a place in mind, but it was a good three- or four-days’ journey away, and I hadn’t been there in over a decade. There was always a chance someone had found it after me and stripped the graves of their bones.
If that was the case, our search could take weeks, so it was better to be prepared to be gone longer than I hoped.
