Clover threw his head back and laughed. “Please, call me Cornus.” He extended a hand to Kai next, a twinkle in his eyes as he took in his Eclipse sigil.
“Kai Salonga.” Kai had scores more poise than Baz did. “That was quite the speech you gave. I didn’t know they’d started doing that. With the Purifiers, I mean.”
Clover’s mouth thinned. “Yes. I’m afraid the Regulators here are easily influenced by Tidelore leaders.” He righted his waistcoat, face darkening with disgust. “They believe like Wulfrid does that Eclipse-born are corrupt, but therealcorruption lies within the Institutes and Tidelore temples. Small-minded, fearmongering fools, the lot of them.”
He gave Baz and Kai a sad smile. “Cordelia told me what happened last night. Not the best way to welcome you to our corner of the world, is it?”
For a moment, the name did not register. But as Cordie muttered something about the barkeep, it hit Baz. Cordelia—Delia. That was the name Jae had said was mentioned in Clover’s journal, a sister referred to as Delia.
Cordelia Clover. The forgotten sibling.
“That’s why Cornelius started these salons,” Cordie was saying, face full of pride as she watched her brother. “He’s setting an example here at Aldryn, to radicalize the students into doing everything in their power to help our Eclipse counterparts and tear down unjust barriers and prejudices.”
“We students are the voice of our generation. We owe it to ourselves to use that voice to its full might. Hopefully it will carry to the rest of Elegy and beyond. Helps that some of us have quite the pull with authorities,” Clover added with a wink.
The solidarity between everyone here was evident. Thamesand Polina mingled with the other students, and barring what happened with Wulfrid, there was none of the animosity they’d encountered in the tavern when they first arrived. This level of acceptance and camaraderie felt… it felt, in some ways, beyond even their own time.
“It’s amazing,” Baz gushed. “Truly, I’ve never heard of anything like this.”
Cordie gave him a funny look. “Hasn’t it always been like this in the Constellation Isles?”
Baz fumbled at his blunder. “Er, yes, well, I—”
“He’s a recent transplant to Luagua.” Kai stepped on Baz’s foot in a way that said,Shut up before you ruin this. “Hasn’t been there long enough to understand we’re much more accepting of Eclipse-born.”
“Where are you originally from?” Clover asked.
“Here, actually,” Baz said, deciding to opt for the truth rather than a blatant lie. “Well, Threnody, that is.”
“Must have been quite the shock to move to Luagua.”
“It was, yes. In the best way, of course.”
“Can I ask what prompted you to become invested in all of this?” Kai asked Clover, pointedly eyeing the New Moon sigil inked on his hand. “You’re not Eclipse-born yourself. So why go to all these lengths?”
There was no brusqueness in his tone, just genuine curiosity. But Baz heard the insinuation behind his question, inviting the possibility of this simple fact—that Clover was New Moon—being false.
Clover seemed genuinely taken aback. “Does one need a reason to be invested in the well-being of their friends, their peers, their fellow humans? If someone is struggling in front of you, do you not reach out a hand to help them?”
“I find that most people will only help their own,” Kai answered,“and won’t bother with those they consider other. Unless there’s something in it for them.”
Clover made a contemplative sound. “What a cynical outlook to have. But then, I am a Healer; perhaps I can’t help the naive sort of compassion that comes with the territory.”
Healer.Surely if Clover had used Glamour magic earlier as Baz suspected, he had to know this was a lie. The research they’d found in Keiran’s ledgers pointed to Clover being born on the same rare ecliptic event as Emory, meaning he would indeed have beenborna Healer, but might have unlocked the true nature of his magic—his Tidecaller abilities—after having a near-death experience.
The sound of the clocktower suddenly droned in their ears. Students started leaving, waving goodbye to Clover and his group of friends.
“Good luck at the opening challenge this evening!” one of the students called out to Clover.
“You’re participating in the Bicentennial?” Baz asked, reminded of the fact thathewould have been competing in the Quadri challenges in his own time had he not magically found himself two hundred years in the past. That is, if Drutten and the Regulators hadn’t ruined everything.
“I am,” Clover said with pride. “This evening is just an introduction of sorts to therealgames that will follow.”
“My brother,” Cordie sighed. “Any chance to show off.”
Clover gave her an indulgent smile before eyeing Baz and Kai. “Will you be partaking in the games?”
Baz laughed nervously. “I don’t think that’d be wise.”
