Page 120 of While the Dark Remains
He frowns but follows me to the great hall, where he speaks a word and silvery light shimmers into existence, illuminating the vast room. I watch him as his eyes flick impassively around the cages. His mouth presses into a firm line. “Are there other Iljaria here?”
It’s my turn to frown. Does he not remember the night he watched the Collection perform? “Yes.”
“Lead the way.”
I take him to the iron cage at the back of the room, and Finnur looks at me with expectant hope as we approach.
Now Brandrisangry, red sparking off him because one of our own has been kept behind iron. “Thisis why we will unleash the Yellow Lord,” he tells me shortly. Then he snaps his fingers, and Finnur’s cage opens.
Finnur spares only a single glance for my brother before fixing his gaze on me. “Is it time?” he says softly. “Is it done?”
My heart seizes, and I don’t know whether to grin or to weep. “Yes,” I tell him. “You’re free.”
Finnur slips out of his cage and bows to me very low. Tears prick and I grab his hand, pull him up. His fingers are cold and thin and tight in mine.
Brandr gives Finnur an approving nod. “You will be given a room in the palace, with all your needs attended to, until this is over. Then you may stay here, or return to your family in Iljaria, whichever you prefer.”
“Thank you, High Master,” Finnur whispers.
An Iljaria appears seemingly out of nowhere and bows to Brandr, then beckons for Finnur to follow him. But Finnur doesn’t move, still watching me.
“Go, then,” says Brandr, impatient. “We have a celebratory dinner to attend.”
My heart jerks. “Finnur isn’t the only one here, Brandr.”
Brandr squares his jaw. “Skaandans and Daerosians don’t deserve anything from us.”
“They’rechildren!” I shout. “They haven’t done anything to anyone. Kallias has kept them like animals and—” My throat closes up. “I promised them.Allof them.”
Finnur blinks up at me, wisps of colorful magic swirling around his head, now that he is no longer shut in his iron cage.
“Fine,” Brandr snaps.
I lead him next to Gulla’s cage at the back of the room, with Finnur close beside me. Brandr unlocks the cage with his magic, and she kneels in front of me and kisses the hem of my skirt.
My heart twists, and I pull her to her feet again. “You do not bow to me, Gulla. You have been my savior many times. I’m only returning the favor.”
She smiles at me and touches two fingers to my brow.
Brandr is looking at her strangely. “Who are you?” he asks.
This is the new Prism Master?she says to me in her finger speech.He is very young.
“Gulla, this is my brother, Brandr. Brandr, this is Gulla, Ballast’s mother.”
Brandr frowns but inclines his head to her in respect.
We go on around the room, Finnur, Brandr, Gulla, and me. Brandr uses his magic to unlock every cage and the children creep out like terrified rabbits, tears slipping silently down their cheeks. Not a one of them speaks a word, and I realize with a twist of my gut that none of them actually expected me to save them. But they trust me now, following along behind me like an increasingly unwieldy procession.
There is only one cage left now: the iron one above our heads that used to be mine and is Rute’s now. Gulla and the others stand with me in silence as Brandr calls it down with his magic. This time I pick the lock myself, stepping into the cage and trying not to let my fear of it overwhelm me. Rute stares at me, tense, wary, but her anger seems to have leaked out of her.
“I’m sorry it took so long,” I say quietly.
She gnaws on her lip and then she weeps, her thin body shaking. She lets me lead her out of the cage, and both of us breathe easier, I think, with our feet planted squarely on the floor.
Gulla glances about at the children, barefoot and ragged, many with barely scabbed cuts on arms or legs or faces. She touches my arm.Let me be their guardian,she signs to me.Let me look after them. For as long as is needed.
Tears press hot behind my eyes, and I sign back to her:Lords bless you, Gulla. Thank you.
