"Do you think it could be better?"
"There are probably things I’d like to improve — but I’m not a High Lord so I’m not really in a position to do so."
"So you think a High Lord is in the best place to make improvements?"
"Only for his house. The Emperor should be able to make greater changes to the conditions of everyone. More healers, perhaps. Or a universal set of rights and responsibilities."
Killian’s eyes lit up. "See! You think it too. Don’t you think it’s terrible that some people have wealth while others starve? Or that here in Petrya the High Lord can execute a law-abiding citizen for no greater reason than that he wants to?"
"Yes I do," Ella said. "The Emperor..."
"The Emperor!" Killian said. "Seranthia is a cesspit of corruption, I know, I’ve been there."
Ella nodded, "My brother Miro said the same thing."
Killian nodded.
Ella took a breath. "So what do you think the solution is then? To steal Altura and Halaran’s lore and kill their young men in battle?"
"It’s regrettable, but..."
"Regrettable? Regrettable! My brother is there!"
Killian fended off her arm as she moved to strike him. "Listen to me! The time of the houses is over. It’s time for a new start, a new change. One nation, with no corrupt Emperor, no random executions, no petty wars, no essence rationing. Don’t you see, Ella? The Lexicons were never intended to be separated! They are all chapters in the same book! My master..."
"Your master? Who is your master?"
Killian suddenly stopped talking.
"Listen to me," Ella said with venom, "and you listen well. I don’t care about your ridiculous ideals. My people are being forced to submit. We are being attacked at war. Your thievery will see the end of everything I hold dear. Noble ends don’t justify vicious means. Remember that, Killian. Remember that."
There was silence for the rest of the day.
~
THAT night they went through the same routine of food and camp, speaking only when necessary. Ella felt uncertain and adrift. Killian seemed equally confused, as if wrestling with inner turmoil.
After they ate they both sat in stillness.
Killian looked up. "It says so, in the book, you know."
"What do you mean?"
"About lore. In the Lexicon. They all say it."
"Show me." Ella held her breath.
Killian went to his bag, gently taking out the green-covered book. He held it in both arms; it was a precious thing. He took a nightlamp and activated it at the lowest setting, then squatted down next to Ella. She could feel his closeness. His smell came to her.
The Lexicon of Raj Altura! Ella couldn’t believe she was next to it. She had dreamt about seeing it her whole life. She longed to touch it, but she knew he would never let her.
"See?" Killian said. "The number one," he pointed at the rune on the cover.
Ella looked intently at the number rune. It hardly glowed at all. She tried to judge it. The rune would fade in perhaps a week. At that point, every seeker, every nightlamp, and every zenblade would fail. Back in Sarostar, the invisible arch of the Runebridge would disappear. The Crystal Palace would cease its display of colours.
And as soon as the enemy realised what was happening, the Alturan army was doomed.
Not noticing the desperation in Ella’s eyes, Killian opened the cover. The pages were made of some strange metallic fabric, remarkably thin. The book contained a great deal more pages than it seemed from its girth.
There was a message on the first page, written in a graceful flowing script.
"To the common people of Merralya, one and all, I give you this, the first volume in my Tomes of Lore. Evrin Evenstar."
"Evrin Evenstar," Ella started.
"Does that name mean anything to you?"
"No, no. I just knew someone with a similar name. That’s all." She thought of the old animator.
Killian turned the page. A title was embossed, the colours leaping from the page with incredible beauty: "The Lore of the Enchanter."
Ella felt goose bumps rise on her skin. She couldn’t believe she was here, seeing this book. She wished she held it herself.
"That’s it," Killian said. He closed the book.
"Please, can I see some more?" Ella couldn’t believe she was begging.
"No." He saw her expression. "I’m sorry."
"Well what does it say?"
"I don’t really understand any of it. I only know one matrix, and that I have to copy."
Ella’s interest was piqued. "What is it?"
He grinned. "I’ll tell you another time. Tish-toklur," he deactivated the nightlamp.
Ella could only just make out his figure against the roiling black sky. There were no stars tonight. No moon to light their camp.
"I’m not going to tie your legs. I didn’t like the sound of those sounds last night, whatever they were, and I’m not going to risk some animal taking you while you lie there helpless."
Ella shuddered at his description. She was still helpless enough with her hands tied. With some beast out there in the dark, she knew she wasn’t going anywhere.
~