I remember now. Nearly a century ago, the captain and I marched past places like this in the final days of the war—purpose-built Ethiran worship sites, not like the older sanctuaries converted to suit Ethiran doctrine after its rise in popularity.
“Why would solari build an Ethiran temple?” Corrin asks, visibly confused.
“Because back then, those with celestial magic were as welcome in the faith as anyone else,” Sophos says. “That’s why the Grand Bearer had this place destroyed. If you’re going to rewrite history, you need to erase the evidence that contradicts your new version,” a grim smile plays on Sophos’s lips. “He didn’t want people to be reminded that solari were once our fellow Ethiran brothers and sisters.”
Ssss…he’sss not alone…sss
Barb comes slithering across the broken paving stones toward me.
In one quick movement, I scoop her up and point my sword directly at Sophos. I strain my ears, trying to listen for any sign of intruders, but of course Sophos is likely blocking that with his aesteri magic.
“Why are you really here?” I demand, trying to signal to Corrin to be on the alert. I already identified the three exits out of this place before we came in. Even if Sophos has them all covered, my sensic magic can incapacitate his forces long enough for us to get away.
Sophos’s eyes widen. “I thought my message?—”
“I told you to come alone,” I snap.
Hearing this, Corrin sends his shadows creeping up toward the bearer’s feet, ready to blind him if needed.
“Ah,” Sophos says, understanding now. He warily steps back from the encroaching darkness, his hand going to cradle the stump of his arm. “It’s not what you think. I’m not trying to trap you.”
“And I’m just supposed to take your word for that? When you’re standing there missing a hand thanks tomycaptain?” I point out. “Why would you want to help us, when you’re Caledon’s prize lap dog?”
The bearer straightens, dropping his arms to his sides.
“Because there are more important things that can be taken from me than a hand.”
I blink, not understanding. Then the bearer waves his fingers, and the air shifts, the sound of our breathing echoes through the space differently than before. Sophoshasbeen using his aesteri magic to block some of the sound around us, but what I hear next stops me in my tracks.
A child’s voice rises up from behind one of the crumbling sections of wall.
“Does Fossy want us now, Mama?”
Someone shushes the child.
“It’s okay, Ettia,” the bearer calls. “You can come out.”
A woman peers around the dusty bricks, her eyes wide with fear. Slowly, she steps around the fallen stone and into the building. She carries a small black-haired boy in her arms, his big eyes staring at us with intense curiosity.
“This is my sister, Ettia, and my nephew, Olin,” Sophos says.
My heart thuds in my chest as I try to work out whether I’m in danger. If this is some kind of trick, it’s a strange one. The woman looks genuinely uneasy. So does Sophos, actually. Up until now, he’s managed to seem calm, but now the mother and son have joined us, I see tension in his stance.
“I thought clerics had to give up their families?” Corrin says.
“They do,” Sophos replies with a slight incline of his head. “Ettia and I were out of touch for many years. But when I became a bearer?—”
“You suddenly decided you were above the rules,” I interrupt coolly. Typical Ethiran hypocrisy. They preach one thing while the people at the top do whatever they want.
The woman’s expression grows determined as she clutches her son tighter. “You mustn’t blame Sophos?—”
“Ettia—”
“No,” she cuts her brother off. “They should know you’re a good man.” She turns back to me, her expression so earnest I feel compelled to hear her out. “He saved my life, and Olin’s. We wouldn’t have survived without his help. And he’s protecting us now too.”
I frown. “Protecting you from what?”
Ettia bites her lip, looking to the bearer. Something passes between them, and Sophos nods.
