“Their power must repel the curse,” Tira says, proudly. “That means we can use them against Caledon, right? If they were owned by a god, couldn’t they be strong enough to help kill whatever Caledon’s become?”
“If Caledon thought the artifact weapons could be used against him, he never would have left them here,” Leon points out.
“But therearestories,” Tira replies, looking around at the other Trovians for backup. “Maybe not in any of Ethira’s myths.But there are legends where mortals managed to use a god’s weapons against them, right?”
“Like Keliop and Ralus’s sword, you mean?” Captain Drisha grunts.
“Or Leande and Firesta’s torch,” Etusca adds in agreement. “But in both those stories, the mortals had a special affinity for the object—Keliop was a master swordsmith and Leande an incendi of Firesta’s own making, and even then they only wounded them. I suspect that’s all the artifacts could do in the hands of a mortal too.”
It makes sense. Caledon knew he didn’t need to be concerned about some random mortal picking up the artifacts—not when he’s so much more powerful than any of us now. After all, only a god can kill a god.
Only a god.
The phrase sticks in my mind like a thorn. Trova needed a queen, so I became one. But that’s no use to my subjects now. Not as long as Caledon walks the earth.
“What about in the hands of an immortal?” I ask Etusca.
She blinks, not understanding. “I’m sorry?”
“What if an immortal used the weapons?” I clarify. “Then they could kill Caledon, right?”
I feel a flicker across the mooring, some reaction from Leon that I ignore for the time being, keeping my eyes fixed on Etusca.
“Yes,” Etusca says, dragging the word out doubtfully, “I suppose so. You’re saying we should try to summon one here?”
“No, she’s saying we should make one,” Leon answers. His voice is steady, neutral, but there’s turmoil reaching me through the mooring that I can’t quite read yet.
I nod at Etusca. “Do you know the ritual? I saw some of it in the Miravow, but not in detail.”
Etusca stares at me in shock. In fact, that’s how everyone stares at me. Except Leon, who looks thoughtful.
“Who?” Tira says. “You?Youwant to follow in Caledon’s footsteps? Ana, that’s insane.”
“Forgive me, my queen, but I would like to second her sentiment,” Captain Drisha says.
“But it can only be me,” I say, hearing the frustration in my own voice. It’s not like I don’t realize this is a drastic move. “The whole reason Caledon needed me in the first place is my power. He thought I had enough to make him strong so he could survive the ritual. With the gaidonesti to help me, I’m sure I will.”
“My dear, I can’t let you do this,” Etusca says, grabbing my shoulders. “What Caledon has done to himself is unnatural. It breaks the laws of?—”
“I’ve heard that before,” I cut her off, pulling free from her grasp. “When I had to save Leon, we broke those rules. There were consequences, but we faced them.” I stare her down. I need her to remember that I’m not the sickly girl who needed to be shielded from harsh realities. I’m not just a grown woman who has come into my powers—I’m a queen, with all the responsibilities that entails. And I have my own choices to make.
“I’m ready to face these consequences too,” I continue. “Now, I’m sure you can work out what kind of strange viatictransformation was taking place when Caledon used the tokens. I’ll use them too, and then we can make me strong enough to stop him before he hurts more people.”
Etusca wrings her hands, looking around at the group before turning back to me. She takes me in, and her expression changes as she seems to make a decision.
“I suppose I could take a guess at most of it.”
“Stop!” Tira shouts. “I can’t believe you’re even considering this. Sophos saidhewasn’t even sure what would happen to Caledon once he used the tokens. What if this kills you, Ana? What if you become something none of us recognize?”
There are tears in her eyes as her voice rises in panic. I understand that she’s afraid of losing me, just like she’s lost everyone else. But as much as I love Tira, she’s only one of the people I have to protect.
“That’s a chance I have to take,” I say. “When I decided to claim the throne, I was accepting that the country is mine to look out for. If I have to risk my own life and happiness to save the lives of my people, that’s a sacrifice I signed up to make.”
I don’t feel noble or brave saying this. Even if the ritual goes to plan, I don’t want to be immortal. I want to age and die like everyone else, and I have no desire to inhabit some strange inhuman form that sets me apart from them, which might even separate me from Leon. We don’t know what this ritual might do to the mooring. But what leader has the chance to save their kingdom and doesn’t take it because they might get hurt? I’ve been hurt plenty in my lifetime, and rarely for as important a cause as this one.
Tira turns to Leon with a pleading expression. “Aren’t you going to stop her?”
Leon closes his eyes, thinking.
