Fall of Summer, Week 5, Day 7

  “It’s been a season since they’ve heard from her, you know,” Effy said lightly, as if they were talking about the weather.

  Nora sipped her cloudgazer tea and watched as the rain fell back into her cup. “I wonder what happened.”

  “Do you?” Effy’s eyes glinted, and Nora felt she’d fallen into a trap. “You could always ask, you know.”

  “I could,” Nora agreed easily. “But some things are better left unknown—some things are dangerous to know. And so I won’t.”

  “Though Scylla isn’t the strongest Divine, it is still worrying that she is unresponsive,” Effy mused. “Ital has not guided me to look into it further, though. So I will remain hands off.”

  “It’s probably for the best. While I have grown—for lack of a better word and fear of retribution—fond of the Skill she gave me, she undeniably gave it to me in hopes that it broke my will.” Nora spoke lightly, but she didn’t miss the way Effy’s hand clenched around the handle of her teacup at her words, or the sound of ceramics cracking.

  Effy slowly lowered the cup down to the table between them, never letting the smooth expression on her face falter. It was as a light tapping sound came from the wood that she opened her palm to reveal the dust that remained of the porcelain.

  Over Nora’s shoulder, a specter loomed—unable to be seen by any but the girl in question. The pale blue form was tall, taller than Effy by half a head, and wearing armor with two rising suns emblazoned on it. And though the being’s hair was white the curls were unmistakable, wild and free. Her eyes were sharp and seemed to be perpetually narrowed as she surveyed the room, specifically Nora herself.

  >You better be fond of me,< Eunora huffed.

  Nora, briefly, wished she’d never hit the third bottleneck of [Eternal Communion]. Level 20. At Level 5, Eunora could manifest in her mind’s eye, at Level 10 she could possess her dreams, and at Level 20 she could haunt the living world like the world’s worst poltergeist.

  Well, it was either love or hate, and the latter takes up too much energy, Nora sniped in her mind.

  “Well, onto happier news, are you excited for the Festival of the Sun tomorrow?” Effy forced a smile onto her face, and Nora zoned back into the conversation.

  “Yes, it’ll be my first since Awakening. I can’t wait—especially after the previous festivals were such a good time.” Nora was genuine in her flattery. She’d truly had the time of her life with her friends over the past three festivals. And, as Effy was the highest-ranking priestess in Fellan, the woman was in charge of the seasonal festivities every five months.

  “Ah, right. You were born Rise of Autumn, so you must have missed the last one. Well, be prepared. The Festival of the Sun is an all-night affair, with loads of prayers, dancing, and blessings in the name of Troya and Dreya.” Effy paused, surveying Nora for a long moment, before continuing. “I know you know this, but, despite your previous refusals, I must ask—”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Nora’s smile tightened. “Sorry, Effy, I can’t.”

  The priestess waved away Nora’s concern. “As expected, I will call upon Marquis Hyperion once again. He, technically, is higher-ranked than you by virtue of having a full title.”

  “And I’m sure he’ll be equally as pleased as the past few times.” Nora snickered, thinking of the way Uriel’s father had crumbled upon finding out he had to host the festivities again, even though a Dawn was in Fellan.

  Not in front of Nora, of course. He would never show weakness in front of her, no matter the circumstance, due to her name. But in front of Uriel? And Uriel’s siblings? He practically wept. The man, for all he was Skilled, hated making public appearances. Nora was sure it had to do with his Class and his role as Watcher of the West.

  It made her wonder if it would be in Uriel’s nature as well. He hardly seemed the type to put himself out there. Edwin Horus felt comfortable enough to try and bully him, despite his status, after all—though, once again, that likely had more to do with the fact that Hyperions watched the Dawns and their vassals like hawks hunting prey than anything Uriel did himself.

  Nora couldn’t help but laugh at the letter she had received just a few weeks before.

  Eunora,

  My fellows have told me you’ve made some undesirable acquaintances at Fellan.

  Beware, your time there is limited. Spend it wisely, daughter.

  Mallorica Illiad Dawn

  Duchess of Dawn

  Ancestral Countess of Dawn

  Ruler of the West

  Mallorica was as annoying as ever, Nora decided. How does she expect to control me from half a country away? The Capital of the West may as well be the moon.

  After receiving that letter, though, Nora brought it to Radir and complained.

  “It’s not like she has been to Fellan in years! How does she expect to control the nobles and understand the area?” She’d whined to the man, who looked like he’d smelled straight sewage at the mention of Nora’s mother.

  “She relies mostly on Knight Charlatans, and the nobles who visit Adeline and Oberon often are required to give her reports upon their arrival.”

  “Stupid. She should at least survey the lands she’s meant to protect!” Nora said, her voice rising and her fists clutched tightly at her sides. “She is meant to be a warrior and a leader, not some monarch sitting upon an empty throne.”

  Radir had arched a brow and rested his chin in his hand. “That almost sounds like you want her to come to Fellan.”

  Nora’s expression fell, and she reeled back, repulsed by the statement. “Don’t even joke about that.”

  Brilliant blue eyes met her gaze, unblinking as he evaluated Nora. “It wasn’t a joke. If the Duchess were reliable, she would make rounds. She would survey the lands that could one day be battlegrounds. That begs the question: do you want her to be reliable? Or do you want a villain you can continue to hate, incompetence and all?”

  Crumpling up the letter, Nora sent a glare to Radir. “I want the people of Fellan to be safe. I’d rather her be capable, even if it meant I was forced to see her.”

  “Then, unfortunately, you’re in for a treat,” he said, a malicious grin on his face. “She’s set to do rounds next Rise. Should be here Second or Third Week. As with most years, she’ll spend the majority of Autumn surveying the border.”

  Nora felt her emotions level out all at once, as, for the first time in a long time, [Mental Fortitude] forcibly activated.

  “You’re my least favorite cousin,” Nora snarled.

  “I’m the only cousin you’ve ever met.” Radir closed his eyes, feigning a nap for the rest of the session.

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