Lianshi nodded, expression heartbroken.
“But…” Trying to draw the words up was like pulling shards of glass up his throat.
“You don’t need to speak of it. Not yet, not ever. But if you want to, I’m here.”
Scorio nodded, shoulders slumping.
“Amity’s been cleared of his Heart Oath,” she continued. “And was able to reveal the extent of what Bravurn made him swear. There was a murder clause in there, that forced him and Valdun to avenge Bravurn as best they could and by any means if he were killed.”
“Why did he agree to that?” asked Scorio softly.
“It wasn’t all at once, he said. It started as a regular Iron Vanguard oath, and then became more over time. He’s revealed that Bravurn was part of that secret organization you were asking about. The Herdsmen.”
Scorio nodded.
“But he doesn’t know much. He wasn’t a member, and it was clear Bravurn didn’t trust him with anything confidential, despite his Heart Oath. He must have known it could be removed.”
“We recovered all kinds of journals and books,” said Scorio softly. “We were planning to take them to Moira. See if she could translate them.”
Lianshi nodded. “She told me about them. Said I should find them right away. That you’d told her they were in an empty royal suite. I haven’t looked.”
Scorio raised his eyes. Her own were brimming with compassion.
“You’re not the Lianshi I knew,” he heard himself say. His pain made him cold. “Why are you here?”
She nodded, as if expecting the question. “Juniper and I have become… close. A couple.” Her smile was quick and just as quickly gone. “She’s told me a lot about what happened in my previous life. In as much detail as she remembers. She thinks very highly of you. It all underscores the impression you gave me. And…” She hesitated. “I don’t know. We became fast friends in my last life, maybe because we’re just… good at being friends? It hasn’t taken much to convince me to help you this go round, either. I admire you a lot. Your integrity, your loyalty to your friends, your courage. You’re a good man, Scorio. And our friendship, I know it’s a mess. But.” She shrugged helplessly. “When I heard what had happened, and how there was nobody else left to come sit with you, well. I felt like I had to come.”
“Congratulations,” he said, finding it within him to smile. “On Juniper.”
“Thanks.” Her smile was quiet, private, but warm. “Our talk really helped.”
“And Leonis?”
Her smile slipped away. “He’s struggling. We’re not talking. He’s at LastRock. I’ve seen him training with Jova. I don’t think there’s anything between them, but her single-minded pursuit of power is appealing to him, right now.”
“I see.”
“You’ll see her again, you know. I’m sure of it.”
Scorio looked down at his hands.
“What happened…” She trailed off. “From what Juniper told me, from what I know of her…”
Scorio wanted her to stop, but he couldn’t find it within him to interrupt her.
“It’s been ruled that Valdun’s death was murder,” said Lianshi softly. “But they’re willing to hear her defense in the matter, given Bravurn’s Heart Oath.”
Anger flowered within Scorio and his lip curled.
“And!” Lianshi hastened to continue. “Moira has been making a strong argument for leniency given Naomi’s service to us all. I gather that it’s more posturing than anything else, this murder charge. Nobody seems to be interested in hunting her down, or anything.”
Scorio had nothing to say.
“Everyone knows that the three of you were heroes.” Lianshi picked at a thread in his blanket. “You, Alain, and her. Moira has invited you to come to LastRock. She wants to thank you in person. She told me that she’s going to try to recruit you, but has no confidence whatsoever that you’ll agree.”
Scorio snorted. “You sure you’re not working for her?”
“I’m not.” Her smile was sad. “But she and Ravenna have been friends to you. They’ve done what they can to help Naomi. If you do go to LastRock, they’d welcome your stopping by to say hello.”
Scorio said nothing.
“Well.” Lianshi sat up straight. “I’m here for you, but understand if you want space and solitude. Queen Xandera is anxious to talk to you, and Blood Baron Exero is here wrapping up Great Soul affairs. He wants a word with you as well. Do you have a sense of what you want to do?”
“No,” he said. “I just… I just feel really tired.”
Lianshi stood. “I understand. I’ve taken the liberty of claiming one of the rooms in this cluster. I’ll be close by if you need anything. But I’ll be in my room. I don’t feel like you need to check in on me if you want to head out.”
Scorio nodded, and she was almost through the door when he spoke. “Lianshi?”
“Hmm?” She leaned back to look at him.
“Thank you.”
“Yeah.” Her smile was sad, but there was a warmth in her eyes that made him feel less alone. “Of course.”
Scorio lay back and interlaced his fingers behind his head. He stared up at the cavern ceiling.
One question and one question alone echoed in his mind: what now?
He’d no interest in talking with Exero or recounting what had happened to some Great Soul tribunal. Just as he’d no interest in receiving praise or reliving the events that had resulted in the Blood Ox’s death.
Naomi.
Where was she, right now? A terrible fear filled him, and he closed his eyes. He hated that she was alone with her pain and horror. She had to be brimming with self-loathing. But she’d killed him, sliced his head off so neatly that Alain hadn’t even realized he’d been dead when he took his last step.
Alain.
Scorio grimaced as fresh remorse washed through him. What a mess of a human being. What a cursed set of powers. But a friend. A good friend.
Scorio turned onto his side and stared at the wall. He was going to miss Alain. More than he’d ever have guessed. A great weight settled on his chest. He had to tell Fyrona. Tell her how much Alain had been looking forward to seeing her. Maybe not the full weird intensity of his hopes, but to tell her she’d no doubt been on his mind during his last moments.
He’d have appreciated that.
His thoughts turned back to Naomi. To the Nightmare Lady. Was it possible to love part of a person? Their better half? Because he now understood too well why he’d been hesitant to take that last step. What he’d feared. What he’d known lurked in her depths.
The Nightmare Lady.
Suddenly restless and not willing to stay still with his thoughts, Scorio rose to his feet and left his room. He slipped through their common room silently, out into the hall, and then quickly navigated his way to a side spire to avoid any random encounters.
Climbed, his pace increasing till he was racing up the slope of the wall, only to slow and stop, panting for breath, when he’d reached the royal level. For a while he stood in the dark, brow against the warm stone, but thoughts of Alain finally drove him on. He navigated his way back to the main spire, and found the queen’s hallways devoid of Great Souls.
Titans and drudges were in evidence, but they made no move to stop him as he passed through the royal archway. A sense of familiarity washed over him as he entered deeper into Xandera’s domain, and when he finally emerged into the main chamber with its wide bed of coals, he stopped, heart pounding.
The remaining five queens lay upon ledges or sat cross-legged upon the floor. They had been sending pulses of heat and light to each other through the stone, but when Scorio appeared they stopped and looked at him, unsurprised.
Queen Xandera herself lay upon the coals, which had risen and shaped themselves into a great divan. She was as dark and majestic as ever, her every line exuding royalty, and as Scorio stepped into view she rose up, burning eyes trained on him with singular intensity.