For a long moment, no one said a thing, each lost in our own thoughts. Outside, darkness had fallen, or as dark as it ever got in Elucia, with the constant auroras illuminating the sky.
According to Saphir, there were other worlds out there, where shamans and dragon eggs waited to be found. It seemed too fantastic to be believable, but I was way past the point of trying to apply logic to what seemed to defy it at every turn.
"We should get some rest," I finally said, hinting that the others should leave. "Tomorrow's another day of torture disguised as training."
Shovia chuckled and stood. "I wonder if Odinah will test us again tomorrow. I need to make it in under fourteen minutes."
"Always so competitive." Codric wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "You made great time this morning."
"For a woman. That's not good enough for me."
They headed out the door, and Morek followed them out.
Once the door closed behind them, Kailin let out a breath. "I don't know what happened to me earlier. Where has that compassion for the damned Shedun come from?"
"You're a good person, so you want to believe that there is some good in everyone. It's your heart talking. Not your head."
"I can't allow my heart to undermine me." She closed her eyes, her expression turning pained. "I've seen these demons at work, and there was nothing human left in them. Perhaps Shovia is right, and they are controlled by dark magic, not just their hateful religion."
"The two might be one and the same," I said. "Religion can be the most dangerous tool in existence when used by those who know how to twist minds and use it to propagate evil."
27
CODRIC
"Patterns may trace the steps of truth or echo the murmurs of deceit."
—Master Librarian Ronnin The Third
Ibarely tasted my lunch, which was unusual for me. Food was important, so I kept shoving forkfuls into my mouth even while my mind was on fire with the symbols and patterns I'd uncovered during our visit to the temple and had sketched in my journal last night. Three variations of the opening mark, always followed by one of five middle symbols, then the closing curve. I knew it meant something, but what?
The handgun at my hip reminded me that I should be focusing on the threat the five of us were facing instead of ancient symbols, but I just couldn't let it go.
I was on a mission.
"Where are you, Codric?" Kailin asked, pulling me from my thoughts. "Your body might be here, but your mind seems to be somewhere else."
As I looked up, I saw the concern on her face and a very familiar expression of exasperation on Alar's. He'd seen me diving deep before, and he knew nothing anyone could say would make me slow down.
"I might have stumbled upon a clue regarding the symbols, but I won't bother you with the details until I find out what it means."
"Do you want more potatoes?" Kailin asked.
I looked at my empty plate, then back at her. "Are there any left?"
She chuckled. "The platter is right in front of you." She pulled it toward me. "Here. This will make it easier to transfer to your plate."
I looked at the platter and shook my head. "Maybe later. I'm not really hungry."
Shovia gasped. "You need to get to the medical wing at once. Something is very wrong with you."
"Ha-ha. That's not as funny as it sounds in your head."
Alar leaned forward. "Are you competing with Kailin for who loses more weight?"
He always knew how to goad me, but I wasn't going to fall for it. Instead, I just glared at him.
Kailin did the same, looking down her nose at my cousin. "I would have you know that I gained half a pound in the last two days."
