Page 107 of The Last Hope

Kinden whispers for me to walk him out.I can’t.My older brother suggesting what I crave is pouring salt in the wound.

Mykal messes Franny’s hair, then pushes her cheek. “May the gods be in your spirit.”

She pushes his shoulder. “And I in your heart.”

I almost lock eyes with Mykal, but he diverts his gaze to the door. While I watch him exit, in my peripheral I notice Stork and Zimmer near the buffet line. Speaking hushed, both carry little amusement in their closed stances. Severity tightens their gazes, and Zimmer nods repeatedly.

He looks over at Franny.

They both do.

She’s unaware, caught up discussing human music with Gem. “It’s called rock and roll,” Franny says. “I’d never heard anything like it.” She talks about how Stork has miniature speakers for his ears, and he’ll fall asleep listening to guitar riffs.

I catch Zimmer handing a folded paper to Stork.

The probability that the paper is about the mission is low. Stork has kept me in the loop for the entire retrieval operation, going as far as asking for my interpretation of the myth and seeking advice on Saltarians.

The paper is personal.

Unimportant,my mind screeches at first.

No time.

No room to ask and pry.

Unimportant.

I blink slowly, my soul humming off in the distance. Waiting for me to find the courage to open up again.

And again.

And as Stork leaves the dining hall, Zimmer walks over with a lighter gait. Plopping down backward on the bench, he takes the spot that Kinden left for Mykal. Zimmer braces his elbows on the table and smiles. “What’d I miss?”

Chatter reignites.

Ask him.

What if he’d rather I not know about the paper? What if I make him uncomfortable?

Just try.I seize my confidence, and as the conversation pauses, I ask Zimmer, “What was the paper you handed Stork?”

“That little thing?” Zimmer uncaps a saltshaker. “It’s not about the mission, if that’s why you asked.”

“It’s not why.” My hand is frozen on my thigh. “I just wanted to know.”

His smile reappears, and I release my tight grip and breath. Zimmer spins toward me, straddling the bench. “You’ve heard of a Final Will?”

Of course.I nod.

“Well, I have one.”

The table quiets. Overhearing.

Final Wills are sealed until death and a relative or trustee will open them on their behalf. All Influentials have Final Wills since the document states where or to whom their property and wealth will be distributed. Ensuring the prosperity of generations. They’re also useful for Fast-Trackers and Babes, but less so, as family lineages are shorter.

Mykal’s pa had a Final Will. He left his hut, weapons, and furs to his son.

Mykal had a Final Will. At eight years of age, he left his possessions to his whole village.