He shakes his head. “Now I know more about superi, and that some of us remained in the Light, I wonder now whether the Prime Klerick is a man at all.”
“Can the Prime Klerick be the same man as he was back then?” I ask Saxon.
Saxon presses his powerful hands against the table, and they flex. “I have no idea how or when the Prime Klerick is replaced. Or if he ever dies.”
“This Prime Klerick must be a superi,” Xendus says. “No man could live so long.”
“All this confirms we must fly to Catha,” Surath says. “We must see this Temple of Othrix for ourselves. And we must see this so-called god and Prime Klerick.” Her voice drips with disdain.
“And whether or not this Othrix exists,” Zogar adds. “We can easily expose the fallacies behind this religion. Once people know the truth, the klericy will lose all their power and the theocracy will fall.”
He makes it sound so easy, in his confident tone. “How would we even get an audience with Othrix or the Prime Klerick?” I ask.
Saxon rises from his chair. “The Feast of Othrix is in three days and there will be a public audience.”
“How can we gain entry?” I ask, wanting to find all the holes in this dangerous sounding plan. “Everyone in Catha must try to attend.”
“I’m certain I can get in,” Saxon says.
“Then let’s go.” Xendus stands and pounds the table with his fist. “Let’s crush this manticore and free the people of the Light from this tyranny.
All the dragons nod in agreement. I can’t deny that the Light would be a much better place if the religion is toppled. The oppressive rules we follow are all based on the Tenets of Othrix. If the entire religion is based on lies, if the Prime Klerick and Othrix are discredited, then the klericks will lose their power—and the King of Khotor as well, I hope.
When Saxon and the dragons talk about exposing the religion, it sounds simple, but nerves swirl in my belly. My eyes close as I think of Khotor and of Tynan. There’s no denying he’s taken his place at the King’s side.
The klericks we’ve questioned confirmed what Surath and Xendus told me. I’ve been given enough evidence and heard enough arguments to believe my love has regressed to his former self.
Saxon and I have discussed this development at length, and both now accept that the character growth Tynan experienced at camp dissolved under the lure of power and riches. With the promise of the future crown at his fingertips, Tynan may now be as cruel as the Kings of Khotor who went before him.
But I must focus on the things we can change. And I must focus on a future that’s hopeful. If the Tenets of Othrix are torn down, perhaps the founding principles can be restored—or an even better version of them. In any case, without our religion, the Light will be a much better place, especially for women. And for anyone with remnants of Darkness.
Zogar told me that once things are settled, the dragon-shifters will be free to live here, or go back to the Darkness, as they so choose.
Since those abhorrent creatures on the plains of Lymbo prevent an easy surface level crossing, and because the air is too thick for other winged creatures, only dragons can currently cross between the Darkness and the Light. So, the only way others could make the trip is on a dragon’s pommel.
An unexpected shiver traces through me. If Gabreal’s threats are real, neither Zogar nor I can ever return to the Darkness, lest the scars on my belly open, causing my painful death.
I shake off that thought and the memory of that horrible day. Those fears won’t serve me now, and I have no desire to return to the Darkness, though I expect Zogar wants to.
While I’ve been lost in thought, the others have continued to discuss more about our travels to Catha, and what Ersot and Treacher should do here while we’re gone.
“On the way to Catha,” I say, conceding that the decision’s been made, “can we make a stop in Achotia? I’d very much like to see my family.” The dragons have confirmed that the castle now flies the banners of Khotor, but I know little else.
“Of course, my queen.” Zogar smiles, but I find it hard to smile back. I’ll feel much better once I learn the fate of my father and brothers.
CHAPTER 54
Tynan
Our escape from Achotia went more smoothly than even I could have hoped. More evidence of my skillful planning and powers of persuasion.
A few hours before sunrise, I woke the young princes, snuck them out of the tower and into the chapel, and we found our way out through the crypts and the tunnel.
The route was just as Rosomon recounted. We even found a boat, one more sturdy than the raft she described.
I didn’t manage to gather much food but have enough coin in my saddlebags to procure horses, food and shelter—and to use for bribes, if needed, for the rest of our journey to camp.
We don’t yet have horses. I thought it unwise to interact with the locals in the first village we came upon. I’ll wait until we’re further from the castle. If anyone recognizes the young princes, or me, I’ll tell them the boys are my prisoners, which won’t be hard to believe, given their pale complexions and under nourished bodies.
