She forced herself to continue, “On the night of the ritual, my father said the words ‘fulfill your purpose.’ My mother then said… ‘This is what you were born for.’”
The elders exchanged a grave look.
Zhenhai murmured, “A child forced into a vessel rite—little wonder with the Traveler’s intervention.”
Poppy’s breath hitched at the name.
Elder Shenwu stepped forward then, his voice harsh but not unkind. “Lady Penelope. When your sister entered the ritual circle… did your parents attempt to stop her?”
Poppy closed her eyes. “No,” she whispered. “They… they hesitated. But they didn’t reach for her. They didn’t shout. They didn’t move.”
Lan’s lips tightened. “Which means they did not expect interference.”
“Or…” Huailin added darkly, “they did not believe it would matter.”
Elder Yaojin approached the stone table and lifted a cloth. Beneath it lay the portrait drawn shortly after their arrival—the split face of Lysandra, one side whole, the other crawling with shadowed veins.
Poppy’s breath trembled.
“We show you this only because we must,” Yaojin said gently. “Does the untouched half resemble her as she was?”
Poppy stepped closer, heart pounding. Her vision blurred for a moment and then sharpened.
“Yes,” she whispered. “That’s her. That’s my Lysandra.”
“And the corruption?” Zhenhai asked softly. “Does any part remind you of rituals your parents studied? Symbols? Books?”
“No,” she said immediately. Too quickly. She paused. “At least… not anything they ever showed me.”
Shenwu tapped his staff once. “That is enough for today.”
Poppy blinked, startled. “But… I can tell you more. I want to help.”
“You already have,” Lan said warmly. “Your honesty is more valuable than any forced recollection.”
Huailin added, “We will study what you’ve given us. But you must rest before we ask more.”
Belatedly, Poppy realized her hands were shaking. She folded them quietly.
Elder Lan stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Lady Penelope… we may call upon you again tomorrow or the day after. There are threads we must trace carefully. But you have done more than enough for one morning.”
Poppy nodded faintly.
A soft knock sounded on the door.
“Enter,” Shenwu commanded.
The door slid open, and Mingxi stood waiting—calm, composed, eyes finding Poppy immediately.
She exhaled—quiet relief loosening her shoulders.
“Lady Penelope,” Lan said gently, “you are dismissed. Shen Mingxi will escort you.”
Poppy bowed to the elders and stepped back.
Mingxi offered only a nod to the Council before turning to her.
“Walk?” he asked softly.
