Page 24

The journey to Mount Ygnis took three days.

Three days of Avera struggling with the decision to hatch the eggs.

It occurred to her that she was taking the word of three women who claimed they saw the future and had manipulated events to achieve what they perceived as the best outcome.

Everything that occurred they’d allowed to happen.

Wanted to happen. But what if they lied and didn’t have the world’s best interest at heart?

They acted nonchalant about the deaths thus far, as if the almost complete extermination of the Verlorians didn’t matter to them. Avera’s family certainly hadn’t. Nor did they precisely answer when Avera asked, “What of Daerva? Will my people survive what’s to come?”

The choice of sacrificing some for the good of many bothered. Could she really be so callous as to possibly condemn people on their word alone?

Despite her trepidation, she couldn’t deny a thrill of excitement as the volcano came into view.

As tall if not taller than Fuego Spire, the top of the cone-shaped mountain couldn’t be seen due to a cloudy haze.

A faint hint of ash could be tasted when she breathed.

It made her wonder if it truly was safe to approach.

“It’s the magma heating the air,” Titus murmured as if reading her thoughts while he brought his steed alongside hers.

“I thought your volcano was dormant.”

“If it’s not spewing, then it’s dormant, but the magma at its heart is always bubbling and as the heated air rises, it hits the cold and condenses into clouds. Or so I was taught,” he added with a laugh.

Her brow knit as she eyed the empty plain surrounding it. No trees or shrubs, just hard-packed dirt and rock. A wooden plank and rope bridge spanned a wide chasm that literally ran in a circle around the volcano.

Of more interest were the lines radiating outward from the volcano like spokes. “Are those trenches?”

“Yes, they’re used to direct the lava flows, ensuring it spreads out evenly and tumbles harmlessly into the ravine. Once the rock has cooled after each eruption, teams are dispatched to excavate the ditches. The rock they produce is then transported to be used in building projects.”

“You really do have a method for dealing with it,” she murmured. He’d said it, she’d just not actually believe it until now.

“We know what Mount Ygnis is capable of, and we’ve learned to work with it. I told you, there’s nothing to fear. We’ve much experience in managing eruptions. Come.” He beckoned as his horse began moving away. “We should cross the plain before nightfall.”

“Why before night?”

“Because there are things that hunt only in the dark. They emerge from the chasm and use the ditches to ambush unsuspecting travelers.”

Her eyes widened. “And you’ve not dealt with it?”

“Sending soldiers into the ravine always fails. None ever return.”

She glanced at the people setting up camp. “Won’t they be in danger remaining here?”

“Oddly enough, the creatures don’t cross to this side. The plain and the chasm are their exclusive hunting ground.”

“What do they look like?”

“Giant lizards with sharp teeth. Very fast. Very tough to kill. I have a figurine of one back at the palace I can show you when we return.”

Avera wondered if she’d already encountered them, recalling the totems that had come to life and tried to kill her when she fled her castle in Daerva. Those monsters sounded just as he described. Did that mean they’d originated here?

Titus headed for the bridge, and Avera hesitated only a moment before following. As her horse clomped across the wooden planks, she couldn’t help but glance over the edge. The walls of the canyon on either side were sheer. The creatures must climb using their claws.

It took reaching the other side without the bridge collapsing before her taut body relaxed slightly. Titus waited for her before continuing to lead the way.

A glance over her shoulder showed the carriage taking its turn crossing, a pair of soldiers guiding the horses while the rest remained in the camp.

“I’m surprised we’re not bringing any of your army with us. Aren’t you worried about being attacked?” she asked.

“By whom? No one lives here at the moment.”

“What if Zhos sends more assassins?”

“It won’t. Zhos has no power here.”

“You sound very certain.”

“Because I am. The viziers have long protected this place.”

“How can that be if you only recently met them?”

“Apparently, they’ve been here this entire time, living within the volcano itself, hidden from most. Only the caretakers who travel here monthly to check on the shrine were aware, if unable to speak of it.”

“Unable? They were threatened?”

“More like silenced with magic. Although, when I did find out, it explained why the caretakers seemed to transport an inordinate amount of food when they visited.”

“Does the volcano get many visitors?”

“No. This is considered a sacred location used only for special ceremonies by my family.”

“That seems surprising. I thought this shrine was the home for your country’s religion.”

“A religion that didn’t gain in popularity until my viziers finally emerged from their self-imposed exile. Seeing what they did for me brought many into the fold. It helped that our years of ill luck changed almost overnight.” He confirmed what Prielli had confided to Avera.

“Did your viziers have something to do with that?”

He shrugged. “I couldn’t say for sure. However, belief can be a powerful thing.”

They neared the building and Avera assessed the metal exterior, rusted in spots as well as dusty.

She felt a shiver go through her despite the warm air.

The shrine stood several stories high, and while wide compared to a home, seemed narrow given its height.

The doorway, also made of metal, sat well above her head and required stairs to reach. She saw no windows at all.

They dismounted, with Titus handing the reins to one of the soldiers who’d ridden in on the carriage.

The soldier rode Avera’s mount while leading Titus’ back the way they’d come, his pace fast, the late afternoon sun making him hurry.

Avera tried to not worry about the fact she’d been effectively stranded.

Sure, Titus stood by her side, but should things go wrong, there would be no quick escape.

The viziers, who’d disembarked from the carriage, didn’t seem bothered at all when their transport left. It didn’t ease Avera’s trepidation.

Once more Titus read her mind. “Fear not. Once everything is over and it’s safe to cross, they’ll return for us.”

But would they be alive? Hard to not fear when she saw how close two of the channels ran to the keep.

Would they be enough to keep the lava from engulfing the shrine?

She’d seen in Verlora what happened to buildings that stood in the magma’s path.

And what of the heat and ash? How would they breathe without being poisoned?

“Let’s go inside.” He grabbed her by the hand and led her up the stairs into the building.

Stepping over the threshold tightened every muscle in her body even though she couldn’t have said why. The inside proved brighter than expected despite the lack of windows, the space illuminated by cloudy gems embedded in the walls.

Avera reached out to brush her fingertips over one, finding it cool to the touch. “What kind of lights are those?”

Klothi replied, “Those are beryllonite gems imported centuries ago from Pequilh. While usually considered useless by most, it takes but a little injected magic to have them glow.”

The lack of smoke from them proved pleasant, as did their clarity. Avera could see the space in all its grand detail. The area they’d entered was large, the entire space open and several stories high. A staircase wound around the walls and when she craned, she noticed it went through the ceiling.

Titus leaned close to murmur, “It leads to the top floor of the tower where there are a few rooms for those spending the night, as well as access to the roof.”

“We have to climb all that way to go to bed?”

“It is where we will spend most of our time. This floor is mostly for ceremonies such as weddings.”

His remark drew her gaze to the only piece of furniture: a long, solid stone altar.

“Where would people sit?” she asked.

“They don’t. The marriage ceremony has them standing for the entirety. Luckily, it’s not too long.”

“You married all your wives here?”

He shook his head. “No. I thought the ritual strange and only did it to appease my father with the first one. But now that I better understand the importance of the shrine, I would like us to be wed here.”

“Assuming I accept.”

“You will.” He said it with a smile and yet she couldn’t help but feel slightly nauseous and couldn’t explain why. Was it the fact he was technically an old man? The fact he’d been married numerous times before?

“Where are these bedrooms?” she asked. “I could use a rest before our evening meal.”

“Follow me. Stay close to the wall in case you get dizzy. You don’t want to fall.”

No, she didn’t. As they climbed, the height rendered her even queasier. Something about this place felt wrong.

The satchel with the egg bumped against her hip, reminding her of what they would do.

Even if she didn’t agree, it wouldn’t matter.

Anyone could toss the egg into the volcano.

Just like Titus could have sent better soldiers to retrieve them, so why involve her?

A piece of the puzzle was missing and it nagged.

The stairs ended in a gathering space lit by more of those strange, clear gems. Several plush chairs dotted the room, as well as a dining table with two benches.

Bookshelves filled with jars of preserves, boxes of food, and other items filled the spots between six doors.

For some reason, she’d expected five, like the number of eggs.

“You can have the first room.” He swept a hand. “I’ll take the one across.”