“Your sister is alive.” Ana’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I should have told you, but I needed to be certain…”
“How?” asked Saga, the only word she could muster.
“I know because…” Ana’s gaze met Saga’s for one heartbreaking second. “Because my sister was put to the pillar in Eisa’s place.”
Saga felt like she’d be sick.
“It was for the Volsiks,” continued Ana. “For Íseldur. A Protector of the Realm mustalwayssit on the throne. And so, a sacrifice had to be made.” A haunted, vacant look had crossed Ana’s face. “I was but five, and little Bryndís was nearly three.”
“That is not right,” muttered Saga, revulsion coursing through her. “They murdered achild?—”
“It was my parent’s choice,” said Ana, anger sharpening her words. “Theychose that fate for Bryndís.”
Nausea twisted Saga’s gut. “The body,” she whispered, unable to finish. The Urkans had made a spectacle of it—had brought all of Sunnavík into Askaborg’s pits to witness the deaths of her family. What terror little Bryndís must have suffered. And they had left the corpses on display for a full year in Askaborg’s pits; they’d been subjected to all manners of disrespect, which Saga tried desperately not to think of.
Saga awkwardly wrapped her arm around Ana’s shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she said, unable to find the right words. Therewereno right words. But her mere presence seemed to soothe Ana.
“I’msorry,” sniffed Ana, wiping tears from her cheeks. “I’ve forgotten myself, Your Highness?—”
“Just Saga,” said Saga, brows drawing together. “No more Your Highness between us. We are friends, Ana.”
More tears spilled down Ana’s cheeks, and Saga smoothed her hair. “Who else knows, Ana?” she asked instead. “Do the Uppreisna know of Eisa?”
Ana shook her head slowly. “Back then, therewasno Uppreisna. It was a secretive affair. Only my parents and some of your father’s retinue knew. We were ordered not to tell anyone. There were leaks and traitors, it was uncertain who could be trusted. Most who knew were killed when the Urkans breached the walls. My mother survived, though her mind never recovered. She took her own life when I was twelve. And now, it is only I who carries the secret. I’ve kept it close to my heart all these years, so my sister’s sacrifice would not be in vain. It seemed safest for Eisa this way.”
“She’s in the north,” said Saga. “But Signe hunts her, and I…I will do what it takes to keep her safe.”
Saga’s jaw clenched, emotion clawing up her throat.Don’t cry, she told herself.Do not cry.Thank the gods above, the moment soon passed, and in place of emotion was hardened resolve. Hearing of Ana’s sister only made her eager to do more. “What do we do now, Ana? What is next?”
“We keep pushing,” said Ana. “Have you uncovered anything new?”
Saga shook her head. “I’ve tried, but?—”
“Keep trying,” encouraged Ana. “Keep digging. If we know the Black Cloak’s true name, we can send our best assassins after him. Make him disappear. And if we discover where Lekka has taken the Galdra, we can form a plan to rescue our kin.”
Saga nodded.
“You’ve done well, Saga,” said Ana slowly. “But if we want to uncover theseanswers, you may need to be more daring.” She paused. “Once we’ve brought down Lekka and the Black Cloak, we will take you from the castle. Settle you in Midfjord.”
Saga felt bone-weary. Tonight’s feast and learning of Ana’s sister were reminders of what her future held. If she remained in Askaborg, she would become one ofthem. Would be complicit in spilling the blood of innocents. The thought took the slightest edge from her panic at the prospect of leaving the castle.
“Midfjord?”
Ana nodded. “Near the southern border of the Western Woods. It’s a hub for the southern Galdra. A place where you’ll be safe. In time, we could bring you to Kopa.”
Saga swallowed down her nausea. Ana was offering her a chance for freedom. A chance to choose for herself. A chance to see her sister one day. It wasn’t a choice, really. It was the only path forward.
“I shall get the information, Ana. I swear it to you right now. I won’t rest until we have it.”
Ana nodded, eyes sparkling. “Good.” She pushed to her feet, gathering the scrolls and two parcels and placing them into a satchel. “I’ll send these tonight. Check for the white linen.”
Ana made to turn but paused. “Thank you, Saga,” she said. “Thank you for everything.”
Emotion burned in Saga’s throat as she thought of little Bryndís, who’d died so Eisa could live. She would not allow Signe to steal Bryndís’s sacrifice. Would do anything to keep her from capturing Eisa.
With a shy wave, Ana slipped through the door of Asla Tower, leaving Saga alone.
Sitting in the moonlight, Saga tried to wrangle her thoughts into some semblance of a plan. Alfson’s study would be her next task. She’d practiced her lock-picking. Knew precisely where that cabinet lay. Tomorrow, she’d map out her path to his study, would count the steps and observe the Klaernar’s patrol patterns so she could make it there in the dead of night.
