“What about your citizens?” I ask. “How will you keep them safe when they can’t fight?”
“Many left Starfall for the north when we first got news of the invasion,” Diomi says. “But we will evacuate the rest of the city, aside from those who will stay to help in the Miravow. Can you give us until the morning?”
I look to Becane.
“If the Temple is regrouping for the night, and the Filusian army can stay posted at the border in case of a surprise attack, then I think we can wait until morning,” he says. “Our forces need to rest, after all.”
“And Caledon?” Fairon asks. “As long as he’s around, sending out troops to meet him will be like sending lambs to the slaughter.”
“There will be losses, yes,” Leon says. “But if our plan works, Caledon will be drawn away from the main battle before too long.”
“That’s my problem with all of this,” says Vostani. “If he already has godlikepowers, why would he go after these stars? It’s not like he needs more magic to defeat us in his current state.”
“But someone here has something he doesn’t,” Sophos says, his eyes falling on me. “I heard the Grand Bearer was most intrigued with what you did at Siga. This power you have—the ability to deliver in an instant death just by looking at a person—is new to him.”
“To us all,” Stratton murmurs under his breath, and I’m reminded of their shocked faces the first time I used the power in front of them.
“Yes,” Sophos continues. “You didn’t always have it, correct? You have come by this ability recently.” He moves closer to me, his eyes intense.
“That’s true,” I say carefully, unwilling to share exactly how I “came by” it.
Sophos seems eager now. “You must flaunt this ability in front of him. Show him how powerful it makes you, and make him feelhisability to kill is inferior. If we can get him to believe that the gaidonesti are the source of the power you wield, there’s no way hewon’tgo to Starfall to claim it for himself.”
Sophos has known Caledon for years, has been his closest advisor. If anyone understands him, it’s the bearer. But I don’t need all those years of experience to know this is the right way to snare the Grand Bearer. When Caledon was torturing me in the high temple, it was frighteningly clear to me then that Caledon only believes in himself—in his superiority over everyone else. Anyone who could do something better than him would have to be dealt with.
“I think that will work,” I say.
Becane frowns, and I know he’s thinking there’s one last piece of the plan that needs to be decided.
“How—”
Sophos cuts him off.
“I will go to lure the Grand Bearer to Starfall,” he says, his voice heavy.
“Sophos, you’ve been missing from the Temple for weeks,” I say. “I think Caledon knows by now that something’s wrong.”
“This is true, but I’m equally certain he hasn’t yet made my absence known to the majority of the Temple. It would be too embarrassing for him, after I was known as his favorite bearer for so long. That means I can pass through the Temple forces to reach him, and once I’m there, I believe I may be able to convince him that I regret giving you my support. I will say I had a mere crisis of faith and now am firmly on his side again.”
“If he doesn’t buy it, he’ll just kill you,” Leon says darkly. “Likely after torturing you for information.”
Sophos tilts his head. “Yes, that’s the point. Either way, I can give him the story about the gaidonesti. It doesn’t matterwhether he thinks I’m giving it willingly or that he’s pried the secret out of me, as long as he believes it.”
His words are met with silence. No one knows what to say to his calm acceptance of his fate. Sophos takes in our expressions and bows his head.
“I may have been wrong to put my faith in the Grand Bearer,” he says, “but I still believe that the gods watch over us. That we must strive to do the right thing in return for their gifts. I have committed many sins—knowingly and unknowingly—but if I can undo some of that harm with this sacrifice, then I will do so gladly.”
There was a time when I thought Sophos was merely a less-powerful version of Caledon—just as cruel and just as selfish. How else could he have stood by Caledon’s side, unflinching, for all these years? But I see now it’s much more complicated. When I look at him, I think that sometimes having a strong conscience can lead you further astray than people who are indifferent to the world’s evils.
“Thank you, Sophos,” I say, and he lifts his head, eyebrows raised a little in surprise.
A horn sounds somewhere in the camp, and Becane clears his throat.
“The troops are ready to reassemble, Your Majesty. Shall I give the order for them to stand down for the night?”
“Yes,” I say. “Let them find some peace for a few hours. And in the morning, we’ll go back to war.”
Chapter 32
