Given the size of the library, I’ve been diligent about learning runes as well as researching what I am, but most of the history is different here. There are few tales about the legendary Starkeeper and his role in ending the war. The prophecies are different, though they seem to be pulled from similar places—each of them that I’ve read speaks of a celestial being blessed by the four Royal Stars whose star magic is reborn in times of dire need.
I sigh and start to eat while perusing the book on the magic systems of Endara, divided by realm. True to what Darrius had imparted, there were three realms once: Everlea, Oryndhr, and Rothdar. The little I can find on Rothdar also supports what he’d told me—it’s a dead realm of graves, ghosts, and bones.
Curious, I stare at the enormous map on the far wall, and I make my way over to it. I recognize the major cities in Oryndhr, including Kaldari and Eloni, as well as my desert home of Coban. The Dustlands, the home of the Jade-addicted Scavs, take up most of the middle.
With a fingertip, I trace the Barrin Mountains that divide the continent into two, with Oryndhr at the bottom and Everlea at the top. I tap the spot near Deadman’s Canyon where I’d flown with Razulek. Half of Everlea is steppe, I notice, the area divided among four names according to the drawn borders.
“Are these steppes home to the horde clans you mentioned? The ones with elemental magic?” I ask Ani.
“Yes, the Aspacana,” she replies, coming to my side and pointing each of them out. “Rakh, Karkad, Chamros, and Shabra are horse-riding nomadic warriors. Each of them is gifted in akasha. Rakh are fire wielders; Karkad is water; Chamros, air; and Shabra, earth.” She eyes me. “You should meet their leaders.”
My brows rise. “Why?”
She gives a nonchalant shrug. “The Aspacana clans are interesting and have their own magic. Perhaps they might have insight into your cuffs.”
“Would they really?” Hope rises in me.
“It doesn’t hurt to try,” she says. “When my brother returns, you can get his opinion, if you need it to decide.”
I bristle at the not-so-subtle insinuation that I need Darrius’s permission to make up my own mind. “Tell me more about them. What are their leaders like?”
“In each clan, there is a warrior queen or warrior king. At the moment, there are two male rais and two female raissas, but that changes frequently.”
“They’re not a patriarchal society?” I ask in surprise.
She shakes her head. “Gender independent.”
The idea of a society where women are equally valued as men is deeply fascinating, but their whole culture sounds very different from what I am used to.
“You truly think they can help?” I say, lifting the cuffs, and Ani gives an uncertain nod. The truth is, though, it’s the only new lead I have—I’ve found no other answers in this library. “Well, let’s hope that your brother comes back and can arrange a meeting.”
“I can take you,” Ani offers.
I want to blurt out a yes, but something stops me from accepting. I want to be rid of these bracers, but this is still Darrius’s realm, and I’m unfamiliar with the territory and the people. It’s best to tread cautiously. With my luck, I’d end up causing a diplomatic incident.
I wrinkle my nose and walk back to the table. “Best to wait for the king.”
***
THE NEXT AFTERNOON,on Ani’s suggestion, I go to the stables. All she had to do was mention something about newborn foals and I was out the door. Who doesn’t love baby animals?
But all the buildings are strangely quiet.
“Nuadar?” I call out. Ani told me he is the grouchy beastmaster and gamekeeper. He pops out of a stall, offering a surly grunt for a greeting. “I’ve come to see the foals.”
He frowns. “Foals?”
“Ani said there were babies.”
His brows lower even more. “The princess must be mistaken.”
“Are there any other types of animals besides horses here?” I ask, disappointed but determined to not have the time be a waste.
“Some,” he says brusquely.
“What kind?” I press, but he glares at me, muttering about how he is too busy to trifle with silly Oryndhrian interlopers, before spinning on his heel and walking away. I stare and shake my head.Rude!
With a sigh, I cross the exercise yard, where a handful of grooms are training sleek-looking, enormous warhorses, and then march toward a set of joined towers I haven’t seen before. I have no idea where I’m going, but it feels good to be out on the grounds.
