Chapter 58. The Door We Asked For

Preparation is what you do when you know timing will be rude. We spent two days building scaffolds that might hold if the sky decided to weigh more than usual.

Orla walked me hard and gentle. Neris made me practice pressure valves until the ache went out of habit. Mavienne crafted little unblessed things: bread without prayer, salt without superstition, water that had sat and learned patience. She tucked them into my pockets like a person who didn’t believe in pockets but believed in me.

Kael sharpened his blades because it calmed him. He would not bring them into the circle; the ritual forbade steel. He sharpened them anyway. I understood. Sometimes your hands need to perform an old argument so your heart will agree to discuss the new one.

Varya sent a note on good paper and better ink: For the comfort of the court, please admit an expanded witnessing quorum. Hadrien’s endorsement ran along the margin like a vein of irony.

Mara countered with a single