Killian had told Ella that when he was young, at the orphanage in Salvation, he'd been told his parents were dead.
If Ella could find Killian's parents, she now had the power to bring them back from the grave. The portal would recognise one of the Evermen, and Ella would be able to cross.
It sounded mad, even in her own mind. But Ella had made a promise, back at the Sentinel. She had said the words to Evrin.
"I promise," she had said. "I will find a way."
Ella had meant every word.
~
ELLA felt nervous about entering Aynar, the land of the templars, a place she'd never been to before. She passed through the forests of Tingara's south before crossing the border, almost surprised to see little change in the landscape.
Then she saw peaks in the distance, the great mountains that stood higher than any other range. The sight of the mighty Emdas told Ella she was now in Aynar.
The road was heavily travelled and initially Ella wondered where all the people were going, but her initial trepidation turned to pity as she saw the starved masses, some heading in hope for Seranthia, others returning from Seranthia with eyes downcast.
The Assembly of Templars had been a force for good in the world, Ella reminded herself, before the Primate's madness took hold. These poor people had no place to go — no home, no work, and no food to eat — and only the templars took them in.
Ella followed the people heading south, deeper into Aynar. Almost certainly those she saw on the road would be travelling to Salvation.
~
AHEAD Ella saw a strange cloud, low and grey, pointed at the top. The cloud solidified as she walked, becoming firm and brown and Ella's mouth dropped open as she realised she was seeing the famous mountain. It was solitary and massive, jutting up from the plain, able to be seen from a great distance away. Ella was looking at Stonewater.
Ella knew she would find the large town of Salvation at the foot of the mountain. She'd heard it was filled with temples, but poor. Evidently little of the wealth produced by the houses flowed to those who managed the essence.
Killian had grown up in Salvation, first in an orphanage, then, after reaching adolescence, on the street.
In Salvation, Killian had learned to hate the self-righteous templars, but then later in Seranthia he'd learned to hate the Emperor more.
He'd been taken to see the Primate in Stonewater, and given his allegiance to the man who promised to end the Emperor's reign and redistribute the riches of the houses amongst the poor.
After meeting Ella he'd finally realised he had more power to affect the world than he'd thought. Killian didn't have to follow the Emperor, or the Primate, he could be his own man.
He had come back to Stonewater with eyes opened. With Evrin's help, he had destroyed the Primate's means of producing essence.
Killian's difficult youth had given him a burning desire to know who he was. How had his parents died? Who had they been?
As the mountain grew to dominate her vision and she began to see buildings ahead, Ella wondered if she would be able to succeed where he had failed.
~
"YES? How can I help?" the long-nosed, officious clerk asked.
He wore the white of the Assembly, but it was neither the cassock of a priest or the uniform of a templar. Ella guessed he was simply an official; Stonewater was huge, and Ella supposed priests and templars had other duties of their own.
"My name is Ella Torresante. My brother is Lord Marshal Miro Torresante. I'm here on an information gathering mission for Lord Regent Rogan Jarvish," Ella said, which wasn't exactly true, "and I'd like access to the archives."
Ella wore her green silk enchantress's dress, and had combed her golden hair until it shone. It felt unbelievably strange, to be boldly displaying the Alturan raj hada in what had not long ago been the heartland of the enemy. Yet Altura had grown in stature after the war, and Ella felt her garments would impress, as would her brother's name.
The Assembly had a reputation for keeping meticulous records, and Ella was sure that with his unique fiery hair and blue eyes Killian would have been remembered, even at a young age.
Killian had been desperate to know the things she intended to find out, but with the war and his own history with the templars he'd never have been able to do what she was doing now — simply walk up and ask.
The clerk blanched when he peered down from his desk and saw Ella's dress. "Ella, an Alturan enchantress… I've heard of you. Why didn't you send word ahead?"
Ella did her best to look impatient. "Because I am the word," she said flatly. "I travel light, particularly when the need is great."
"The Lord Regent sent you?"
"Yes."
"Hmm…" The clerk dithered, and Ella knew what would be coming next. "I need to speak with my superior. Please, wait, just a moment. I won't be long."