“I still don’t see what that has to do with—?”
“Orahjene found the love of her life in the Red Mountain, many ages ago. They shared centuries together…until he wanted more.”
“More? More what?”
“More recognition, more power,” Ezra said with a shrug. “He was no longer content with living a life of love with his wife, Orahjene, so he devised a scheme.”
“The Earth’s Breath.”
“Yes. You see, Orahjene was, and still is, next in line to become the First Elder. As her husband, Toson would have shared in the duties with her—together. That wasn’t enough; his pride wouldn’t allow him to accept those conditions.”
“He stole the Earth’s Breath?”
“Not only stole,” Ezra answered as we passed the tranquil scene of the grove. I noticed the gentle breeze snaking its way through the leaves and branches. “Like you and your blade, the Earth’s Breath was bonded to a keeper. In order for Toson to steal it—”
“He had to kill the keeper.”
“He could have stopped there, but he went a step further. In his quest for power, he used the Earth’s Breath to create the golem and fed the keeper’s energy signature to the Earth’s Breath to do so.”
“Who was the keeper?”
“That keeper was the previous First Elder—and Orahjene’s father,” Ezra said, before pausing.
“That golem has the essence of Jen’s father?”
“Yes.”
“Is he…is he aware of what happened to him?” I asked. “Is he still in the golem somewhere?”
“No, the golem is not sentient. It uses the essence as fuel. The golem is not Orahjene’s father, but his essence was used in creating it.”
We walked on in silence as I tried to process what Jen was going through.
“Why does she want to save him?”
“Does she?” Ezra asked. “What gives you that impression?”
“She asked me not to kill him if possible, and to only bring back the Earth’s Breath,” I said. “Maybe she has other plans?”
“According to the Red Mountain sect, the First Elder must uphold and enforce the law in the instance of a crime,” Ezra said. “That is the role of the First Elder. They serve as what you would know as a Chief Justice.”
“What does their law say in this case?” I asked, hoping it would be life without parole. “He gets put away forever?”
“Not in this case. Under Red Mountain law, due to the nature of this crime, it’s a life for a life.”
“That’s why she wanted him apprehended if possible. If someone else caught him, someone who wasn’t part of the Red Mountain—?”
“She is trying to create a loophole where there isn’t one—the law is clear. If she doesn’t carry out this decree, the other Elders of the Red Mountain will be forced to act, declaring her in dereliction of her duty.”
“I know what that means,” I said, remembering the Magistrates after Monty. “Magistrates?”
Ezra shook his head.
“Nothing so nice,” he said, wagging a finger. “Executioners. Remember, this isn’t the casting of a forbidden rune in a populated city. This is taking a life.”
“But she’s mid-shift,” I said. “She can’t face him.”
“Her shift will end in three days, and then she will be a true First Elder,” Ezra answered. “Whether she chooses to stop him is another matter. We make our choices and live or die with the consequences.”
“What happens if she doesn’t fulfill her duty?”
“She will be stripped of her title and accepts the judgement.”
“Which is?”
“I explained that already, Simon,” Ezra said, gently. “A life for a life.”
THIRTY
We had wound through the grove and ended up back at the bench with Jen and Monty.
Monty gave me a short glare that said, I understand your anger, but you are still acting like a child. I returned a glare that said I know you are, but what am I?, at which, he rolled his eyes and sighed.
“I understand if you no longer wish to help me,” Jen said. “What I did was deceptive, and I make no excuses for my behavior.”
“I’ll help you,” I said. “But only if you’re honest with me. Are you planning on going after him?”
“I plan on saving him,” she answered, “to the best of my ability.”
“What if he can’t be saved? What if he’s too far gone?”
“Then I will uphold the law.”
“Fuck,” I said. “What if Monty and I stop him? What happens if we apprehend him?”
Jen smiled and shook her head.
“There is an obscure statute that states if a criminal is apprehended by someone other than a member of our sect, then that judgment rests in the hands of the apprehending party. Clemency can be petitioned to the Elder of the sect.”
“Then we do that,” I said. “Monty and I will catch him. We can petition clemency, and they can lock him up instead of killing him.”
“He’s too powerful,” Jen said. “I can’t ask this of you.”
“You’re not asking. We’ve already accepted,” I said. “Plus, there’s that whole matter of his wanting to attack my city again.”
“There is that,” Monty said. “We can’t let him access that hub or form his golem army.”
“I would be eternally in your debt if you stopped him,” Jen said. “I have three more days left to my shift.”
“Three days?” Monty asked, narrowing his eyes slightly. “Are you certain?”
“Quite,” Jen said with a tight smile. “I think I’m quite capable of judging the duration of my shift, thank you. I happen to be several centuries your senior, Tristan.”
“Forgive my impudence,” Monty said with a slight bow. “I meant no disrespect.”
“Only if you forgive my outburst.”
“Think nothing of it,” Monty said, glancing at me. “Please continue—your shift in three days?”
“Of course,” Jen said. “Once it’s complete, you must allow me to assist you in this matter. It’s the least I can do. It is my duty.”
“Tell you what,” I said, raising a hand. “You worry about getting through your shift. Monty and I will worry about stopping Toson. We’ll let you know where we are when we stop him—fair?”
“More than. Please be careful.”
We walked to the edge of the grove, following Ezra.
“Can we get a non-agonizing port back to our
