Page 467 of Of Empires and Dust
“I’m here. I’m here.” Calen wrapped his arms around the dragon’s snout as Valerys pushed against him, high-pitched shrieks in his throat. Calen held on and squeezed, closing his eyes, pulling their minds together and bathing in the warmth that flowed through them.
Something within them was different, harsher, more primal. But the bond was there, and that was all he cared about. Valerys wouldn’t be alone.
“Myia nithír til diar, Valerys. I denír viël ar altinua. Uvrín mír, myia’nära.”
My soul to yours, Valerys. In this life and always. Forgive me, my light.
In that moment, as their minds drifted together, as their heart beat and their soul savoured its bond, one thought flowed through them: Haem.
Calen broke into a run and vaulted down the steps of the plateau. He had no idea where he was. He’d never seen this place before. He grabbed a man in the short street. “Haem Bryer? Where is he?”
The man shoved Calen away and walked off, glaring back at him. Up high, Calen saw two statues garbed in the same armour Haem wore atop an enormous stone staircase. He sprinted through the city and up the stairs, his legs screaming at him, his lungs threatening to burst. When he reached the top and stepped through the small wicket gate set into the giant doors, he found himself staring at a familiar face.
“Ruon, where is Haem? Arden, where is he?”
“Calen…” Ruon stared at him wide-eyed, mouth ajar. Her skin went pale as snow. “You… you’re…”
“Ruon,” Calen snapped, cutting her off. “Where is Haem?”
The woman continued to stare at him as though she didn’t believe he was real. “He’s in the Soul Vault with Kallinvar. How are you alive?”
“Take me to him, please.”
Ruon led Calen through a series of enormous halls and down a wide staircase before leading him into a chamber with alcoves spread across the entire far wall.
Calen dropped to his knees the moment the door was opened, his legs collapsing beneath the weight of his shattered heart. He tried to stand, but his body ignored his commands, tears rolling down his cheeks. “No…” he whispered as he looked at Haem’s body lying on the floor at Kallinvar’s feet. “No, please, not again.”
“You’re alive,” Kallinvar whispered.
Calen planted one foot and dragged himself upright. He shook his head as he stumbled towards Haem.
He dropped to the ground once more, trembling as he slipped one arm behind Haem’s head and pulled his brother in close. “I said no…” Calen rocked back and forth, Valerys roaring in his mind. “I said no… I can’t do this again.”
He drew a long, settling breath, then lifted his brother into his arms and turned for the door. Calen’s leg gave way, but he gritted his teeth and pulled himself back to his feet, taking another step.
“Let me,” Kallinvar said, moving to stand next to Calen. To Calen’s surprise, tears rolled down the man’s cheeks and his eyes were raw and red.
Calen shook his head. “He’s my brother. He carried me all my life. I can carry him a little further.”
“Where are you taking him?”
“Home.”
Chapter 108
Thicker Than Water
29thDay of the Blood Moon
West of Berona – Winter, Year 3081 After Doom
Rist staredinto the crackling flames of the fire nestled within a deep cave near the foot of the Kolmir Mountains. Magnus had insisted they not take the western road and wouldn’t allow a fire unless they could find a cave deep enough to keep them from unwanted eyes.
They’d barely stopped at all for three days, moving every hour they could stay awake. They had no way of knowing if they’d been followed or not. Magnus had said few words except that Garramon had been insistent they leave and that Fane had planned to use Rist as Efialtír’s host, which in hindsight Rist should have anticipated. For now, there was a plan to reach Antiquar and sail south. What happened after that was up to the wind.
Neera sat at Rist’s side, staring into the flames as he did, hands clasped together.
“Stop staring at me,” Neera whispered.
