2

The council room was too warm. A fire burned low in the brazier, but it produced enough heat to make the space uncomfortable. I blinked several times, feeling drowsy. Almost all the other Curates had joined us, but we were waiting on Henrik.

I glanced around the table. They were all tired, their exhaustion evident by the look in their eyes. Despite that, they carried on. Would any of them bend under the weight of another problem? I hoped not. We were sorely outnumbered as it was, and although the Assembly pledged to aid us, I feared it would not be enough.

The door swung open and Henrik stepped inside. “Sorry,” he grunted. “I had a few things to finish.”

“No need to apologize,” I said. “We’re all overburdened. This will be quick.”

He took a seat, and I looked at Maren. She nodded, indicating I should be the one to break the news. I cleared my throat and stood.

“As you are all aware, Master Anesko and the others have not returned. Sion and I did some scouting, but there was no sign of them. I believe they may have been captured by Shadamar.”

No one moved or said anything, but the silence told me all I needed to know. Finally, Master Katori spoke.

“Have you tried to reach him by magical means?”

“I tried a few times,” Maren answered. “Each time, I encountered something blocking me. My uncle is a powerful sorcerer, so it would be a simple task for him to block my magic. I’m with Eldwin on this. I think Anesko has been captured.”

“This poses several problems, especially since Anesko knows things about the Citadel that no one else does.” I glanced at each of the Curates in turn. “We’re running low on supplies, and there are only a few days left before Shadamar marches his army back to our gates. Even if Anesko isn’t being held prisoner, we need a plan.”

“This is the last thing we need,” Curate Mila said. She had been the one to replace Curate Josephine after her betrayal. Thinking back on that reminded me of the battle against the False King. It felt as though that had been an eternity ago.

“It is not ideal, but we’ve faced worse.”

“Have we?” Mila huffed. “Things look pretty dire right now. I gave up my family for the Order, and now it seems that I will die for my decision.”

“I, too, know what it means to sacrifice for the Order,” Maren said. “It is my uncle who seeks our destruction, after all.”

Mila’s face flushed pink. “Yes, I know. Forgive my outburst. I’m tired.”

“We all are,” Maren replied soothingly. “These are difficult times at best.”

I nodded in agreement. “Yes, we do not face the best odds, but I am sure we will prevail.” I hoped my words sounded more confident than I felt. “Let us tackle one problem at a time. We will need supplies to outlast a siege. It will be risky, but we need to send a few groups out to get what we need. Curate Henrik, can you organize that?”

“Yes,” he answered.

“Good. Whoever goes outside these walls must understand the danger, and they must return before the days of mourning are over.”

Henrik nodded.

“The next issue is the barrier.” The eyes of several Curates widened. I raised a hand to silence their fears. “It is secure, but we must be prepared if anything happens to it. As Maren said, Shadamar is a powerful sorcerer. I think we should shorten the shifts of those who are lending their energy to power it. If there is any weakness at all, Shadamar will find it. Master Katori, I trust you will handle that?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you. We may be outnumbered, but that makes us fiercer than Shadamar’s men. We have everything to lose, but they do not.”

“I have an idea,” Maren said. All eyes turned to her, including mine. “I know this may sound crazy, but I think we should request aid from Valgaard.”

I blinked in surprise, then immediately frowned.

“We haven’t heard from Valgaard since Hrodin was imprisoned for his treachery,” Henrik said, speaking exactly what I was thinking. “None of our letters have been replied to.”

“I’m aware of that, which is why I think we need to go there in person. I volunteer myself, since it is my idea.”

“Not alone, you won’t,” I said. “I’m coming with you.”

Katori steepled her fingers and spoke up. “We should not weaken our defenses on a whim. Who knows if the riders of Valgaard will greet you warmly or with chains? I do not think this is wise.”