Emerahl smiled and raised her hands. “Stop it. I understand your reluctance. I want to do this. Even if we don’t find a way to kill the gods, knowing more about them - especially their limitations - is always a worthwhile pursuit.”
“It’s your quest,” Surim said, chuckling. “That’s what The Seer would have called it, anyway.”
Emerahl laughed. “She would have called it ‘The Quest for the Scroll of the Gods.’ ”
Tamun nodded. “And she would have written some appalling poetry and called it ‘prophecy.’ A green-eyed sprite will find the scroll; save the world and everyone’s soul.”
“Stop. Please.” Still chuckling, Emerahl turned to the boat. She unwound the mooring line from the pottery urn and stepped aboard. At once the vessel began to drift away from the ledge and The Twins.
“The current will take you out,” Surim called.
“Good luck,” Tamun added.
Emerahl set down the bag and looked over her shoulder. Already the current had taken her halfway across the cavern. The brother and sister waved. She raised a hand in reply.
Then, as her boat reached the cave entrances on the other side, she turned to the front and guided it into the main tunnel.
She chuckled to herself.
Nothing had been said since they had left the island. Nothing could be said, since they swam the whole way with only a few short rests. When Imi had begun to lag behind, warriors had caught her hands and pulled her along, which would have been fun if everyone hadn’t been so serious.
Now, as Imi emerged from the water beside her father, she found just wading through it took an immense effort. Her whole body ached. Her legs hurt from so much swimming and her shoulders were sore from being hauled along. She was relieved when her father, having reached the edge of the Mouth, stopped.
“My people. Citizens of Borra.”
She looked up, surprised by her father’s voice suddenly booming loudly from beside her. Seeing the crowds of Elai milling around the edge of the Mouth, she realized that many had gathered to await their return. And for news.
“Today I have made a great gamble, but one I know many of you support. I have struck an agreement with the Pentadrians. They will trade with us, they will teach us - and you all know they have much to teach - and they will come to our aid in times of trouble.
“There is danger in such an agreement, and it relies on trust and integrity on both sides. But it also offers great benefits. I believe, with the Pentadrians’ help, we will grow stronger. Perhaps strong enough that we will no longer need to hide here in this city. Perhaps strong enough that not only will we no longer need to fear landwalker raiders, but we will rid the seas of their filth.”
He looked around at the faces before them. Some were frowning, but most looked pleased. He glanced at Imi, then took her hand.
“Together we will grow proud and strong, and live to occupy the islands once more!”
Someone cheered, then more voices joined in. Imi felt her weariness fade. She looked up at her father and grinned. He smiled at her, and for the first time it was not a wary half-smile, but one of determination.
And, together, they began to walk through the crowd toward the palace.
Danjin settled into a chair beside his wife. Silava smiled at him and put aside the letter she was reading. Rising, she collected a jug of tintra that had been warming by the brazier and poured some into a goblet for him. Returning to her chair, she picked up the letter again.
“Which daughter is it this time?” he asked.
“Your eldest,” she replied in mock disapproval at his tone. “Your granddaughter had a fever, but she appears to have recovered. Do you think we could visit them again this summer?”
“That depends whether—”
A knock interrupted him. Their servant appeared and hurried to the main door. Danjin caught a glimpse of a white-clothed man before the door closed again.
“A message for Fa-Spear,” the servant said respectfully, handing Danjin a metal cylinder.
Silava glanced at the message. “Off to the Temple again?”
He regarded the metal cylinder in puzzlement. “They usually just tell me to come. This is formal.”
“Perhaps it is an invite to a special ceremony.”
“Perhaps.” He examined the seal. It was unbroken. The cylinder was no fake, as far as he could tell.
Silava drummed her fingers on the arm-rest of her chair. “Are you going to open it?”
“Eventually.”
“Why not now?”
“You haven’t nagged me enough yet.”
He ducked as she threw her empty goblet at him. Laughing, he broke the seal and tipped out the scroll inside. Silava rose to collect her goblet and refill it with tintra. Danjin uncurled the scroll.
His eyes moved across the words, but his mind refused to comprehend them. Or so he wished. When he had read the message three times he laid it aside, then stared at the brazier as he struggled with disbelief.
“What did it say?” Silava asked.
“Auraya has resigned.”
He saw Silava’s head come up abruptly. She said nothing for a moment.
“Did it say why?”
“No, but it said she has returned to Si. She came here. To Jarime. She didn’t tell me.”
“Of course not. If people had known what she was going to do there would have been an uproar.”
“I suppose so. I would have kept it a secret, but if she didn’t want the other White knowing her plans she might—”
Another knock came from the door. This time Danjin rose and answered it. A white-clothed messenger solemnly handed Danjin another message cylinder, made the sign of the circle, then strode back to a Temple platten.
Danjin had the seal broken and the scroll in his hands before he reached his chair. When he saw Auraya’s graceful writing he felt a rush of relief. She hadn’t forgotten him.
“That’s nice,” Silava said. “She sounds rushed.”
Danjin looked up to find his wife standing by his shoulder. He shook his head at her. “This might have contained secret information.”
She patted his shoulders. “It might have. I took a risk. What will you do with the ring?”
He looked down at his hand. “I expect they’ll ask for it back.”
“Probably. It might not even work any more.”
“No.” He slipped it off his finger and cupped it in his hand. Looking at it, he felt a pang of sadness. “She was a good White. Too good. She’s given it all up to help the Siyee.”
“I know,” Silava said soothingly. “Let me take that and put it somewhere safe for now.”
