I don’t have proof of that, though; only Zan’s belief.
Even if the Sage of Wrath isn’t technically dead, the distinction is meaningless.
Is that what I want to spend my resolve on? A statement as grand as hers, with even less effect?
Because even I could be overwhelmed by a combined force of priests and sages prepared to fight me.
Would it matter to take a stand, to speak my truth—if I can find it—for no one to hear it?
It’s Tasa that cuts through our staring contest, by yanking the water glass out of the Learned’s hand.
For the first time, Learned Muka appears to see her.
“How dare you,” Tasa tells her. “You do not get to just sacrifice other people for your own convenience.”
Learned Muka rolls her eyes. “We’re talking about a dragon, girl—”
“Get out of my house.”
Now it’s my turn to look at Tasa as though I haven’t seen her before.
And maybe I haven’t.
I’ve seen her indecisive. I’ve seen her not believe in herself. I’ve wanted her to find her resolve.
But right now, she isn’t concerned with herself. She’s concerned with what is right.
She isblazingwith it.
Through no help from me.
“Move,” Tasa says again in a low, furious voice. “If I have to roll you down the mountain, I will.”
In other circumstances, that threat would make me smile.
Now, though—
Now, it feels like even though she’s looking at my mentor, the person I learned everything of value from—
Her scorn is forme.
“I can’t stay anyway,” Learned Muka says gruffly, getting to her feet.
As though it’s only a sage’s working that can sway her, not the choices of a person who has to bake their own bread; as if my magic makes me more of a person.
Learned Muka meets my eyes and says, “This will buy us time. You have until my return to come up with a better idea.”
I take her meaning. The priests will debate—once she reports her experience climbing the mountain, no one will be anxious to make the trip, certainly not in the numbers required to hunt a dragon.
But with a suspected location for a hibernating dragon—because they will connect what I was slow to—they won’t delay forever.
The woman who raised me doesn’t spare even a second glance for Tasa as she leaves, while Tasa holds the door furiously for her and then slams it behind her.
For a moment, we just stare at each other. Braced.
Minutes ago, we were braced for something else entirely.
That seems like a different universe now.
