“I ask you, people of Cormina: Do you desire to continue being led by your queen?” He gestured to Camalyn. “Or shall we reconsider our form of government? It’s up to you. Will we stay with our current kingdom, or will we start fresh?”
“May I speak?” Camalyn’s voice was clear and strong.
Colonel Stemming eyed her, his expression thoughtful. “You may. Without magic.”
Camalyn nodded her agreement, then spoke to the crowd. “I wanted power, more power than any of us were ever meant to have.” She took a deep breath, and he eyes fell to the stage. “I killed to attain my power. I don’t want to be your queen. You deserve better. My son deserves better.”
The colonel nodded slowly. “Very well. Cormina will choose new leaders.”
From where she stood at the bottom of the stage steps, Tavi spoke loudly. “I have promised to keep Camalyn and her child safe. Please honor that.”
Colonel Stemming acknowledged Tavi with a nod, and somehow she knew she could trust that nod more than a thousand words from the mouth of a lesser leader. Facing the crowd again, the colonel said, “I have one more charge for all of you: Tell the story of what happened today. Explain why our kingdom is no more. More changes than we can anticipate are on the horizon. Prepare the people of Cormina for this. Tell your neighbors that they will be the ones responsible for our nation from now on. They will speak, and they will vote. They will lead. All I ask is that you tell them the truth.”
A single female voice from the crowd of soldiers cried out, “Does that mean we’re going home?”
Stemming’s grave face broke into a smile. “Yes, it does. Very soon.”
Cheers echoed from the rafters of the meeting hall.
After giving the army a few more instructions, Colonel Stemming dismissed them. The room was half-empty when Tavi heard Konner speak her name.
She turned to face him. Despite his obvious pain, he smiled at her. It was an ugly smile, full of bitterness.
“You may think you won today,” he said. “But every day of your miserable life, you’ll wake up knowing you didn’t really win. Because, Tavi, we took your sister. What was her name? Misty? Ah yes, that was it, wasn’t it? You’ll never get Misty back.”
Blazing rage consumed Tavi, and in a moment, she was on top of Konner. He cried out in pain and fought with all his remaining strength, but Tavi was fueled by grief and hatred and immeasurable loss. It took just seconds for her to pin down his arms with her knees, the rough fabric of her pants pressing into his fine, white shirtsleeves.
And then her hands were on his neck, and she was squeezing, every bit of her disgust thrown into her rigid, curled fingers. His eyes and mouth grew wide as he tried to breathe, his efforts fruitless. Tavi put even more force into her crushing hands.
“Tavi! Tavi!”
She didn’t look up until her name had been spoken two more times. Sall knelt before her, his head lit up like a star. Empathy filled his eyes as he pleaded with her. “You’re so angry. But you’ll never forgive yourself. I know you, Tavi. Please. Stop.”
It was those words, I know you, that made the difference. Sall had known her since she was a child, and in the years since his gift had awakened, he’d laid her emotionally bare more times than she could count. Her angry instincts told her she’d never regret killing Konner. But she trusted her friend. And if he said she would regret it, then . . .
She removed her hands from Konner’s neck. Her anger didn’t flee, but a sense of peace and strength came alongside it. She drew in a deep breath, focusing on her desire for this to be the last day she ever saw Konner Burrell. Golden magic filled her body, and she embraced its warmth. She faced her enemy and locked her gaze onto his.
“No matter what you say, we won,” Tavi said. “You’ll never take me, Konner. Not my magic. Not my will. Not now. Not ever.”
She stepped over his prone body and walked across the stage toward her friends, not once looking back at the broken, gasping man behind her.
Chapter Forty-Seven
I do love this town, this imperfect little home of mine.
-From Small-Town Cormina: A Midwife’s Reflections by Ellea Kariana
Sixty men and women, thin and weak, streamed toward the gates of the Meadow. This was the last group of enlisted soldiers to leave. Tavi watched as they exited the community they’d lived in for months.
They would go back home, and it would be a hard trip. They had very few provisions for the road. For months, small groups of soldiers had invaded communities and homes in the area, scavenging as much food as they could, but never keeping up with the army’s demands. Tavi heard they’d even gone to Oren. As she watched the soldiers leave, she wondered if any of them had stolen vegetables from her mother’s garden. Seeing their uniforms hanging from their hungry bodies, she hoped they had.
At least one soldier from every town or city carried a letter, printed using the Meadow’s small press. Camalyn had written the message and signed each copy. The letter detailed the changes coming to Cormina, including the disbanding of the army. It instructed every community in Cormina, large and small, to send a representative to the capital immediately.
In Savala, Camalyn would complete her service to her nation by officially handing power to these representatives. They would not be Cormina’s permanent leaders. They would be responsible for three things: voting to determine the new form of government, ensuring new leaders were elected across the land, and keeping things running as smoothly as possible in the meantime. As part of their last responsibility, they would create new laws governing gray magic.
Tavi hoped the people of Cormina would feed the traveling soldiers and treat them with mercy. And more than anything, she hoped the message the soldiers carried would be received well.
They had good reason to believe it would. Tavi silently recounted stories she’d heard from pilgrims, Ellea, Officer Andisis, and her own father. Most people were ready for change. They were willing to fight for it. But Tavi hoped they wouldn’t have to.
She turned her head in one direction then the other, her eyes resting briefly on each of the Golds standing with her: Tullen, Narre, Sall, and Ellea. When Tavi’s eyes met Ellea’s, the midwife put her arm around her former student’s shoulder. Tavi leaned into the embrace, smiling. She placed her own arm around Ellea’s waist and whispered, “I’m glad you’re here.”
Sall pointed down the street. Colonel Stemming’s wagon had just turned onto the road leading out of the Meadow. Stemming would stop at the farm and offer to escort the safety officers back to the capital, where they would no longer face punishment for helping the Golds and monks. In Savala, he would find Tavi’s father and Les Andisis, and Tavi was confident they’d return home as soon as they read the letters she’d written them. Then Stemming would stay in the capital to help during the government’s transition. He’d asked soldiers from Tinawe to carry a message to his wife, asking her to join him in Savala.
Sanno drove a second wagon, also headed to Savala. Evitt, who’d been healed by Tavi, rode with him, along with Wrey. Both were eager to return to their families. The last two passengers in Sanno’s wagon were Camalyn and her son.
The former queen’s tasks in Savala would only take a few months. Stemming had offered to ask the owners of the farm if they were open to additional boarders once Camalyn was free of her duties. Camalyn clearly loved the idea but was convinced they would refuse. Tavi was just as convinced the farmers would welcome the former queen and her son into their peaceful home. No one knew where Aldin was, though Tavi held out hope that someday he’d find his family.
The colonel’s wagon reached the gate, and Tavi unconsciously took a step back, sending a dull throb of pain through her recovering head. She couldn’t wait to see the vehicle leave. Konner Burrell and Tela Talger were shackled in the locked rear of the wagon. Before leaving Savala, one of Camalyn’s last tasks would be to ensure that Konner was charged with more crimes than Tavi cared to count. Talger, too, would go on trial. S
he might have avoided that if she’d just known when to quit. But the moment Ash had pulled her to her feet on the meeting hall stage, she’d directed her fire at Colonel Stemming. She was now accused of misusing magic. With the number of Grays running around these days, Tavi guessed that would become a common charge.
Thankfully, Talger’s fire had missed the colonel. Tavi wished Ash had been so lucky. She’d healed him the best she could, but he would have scars. For some reason, he’d smiled when she’d told him that. And then the next morning, they’d all woken to find Ash gone. No message, no warning. But before he left, Tavi had thanked him for risking himself for her. She hoped he found peace.
As the wagons rolled through the gate, Colonel Stemming turned in his seat, lifted his hand, and waved.
People like him should be the ones in charge, Tavi thought. An image entered her mind: Stemming himself leading Cormina, guiding the nation with wisdom and honesty. Her lips parted in a smile of hope.
When the last wagon wheel had rolled out of the Meadow, Tullen closed the gate.
“I’m ready to get some rest,” Sall said. They’d spent two long days moving the soldiers out. “Should we head back to the forest?”
They could have stayed in the deserted Meadow. But they didn’t want to disrespect this community any more than the soldiers already had. So the Golds, even Ellea, would sleep in the forest, eating game caught by Tullen, until they were ready to leave.
“The rest of you can go,” Tullen said. “I need to take this.” He held up a folded note with Aba’s name written on the front. As promised, the Golds had made it possible for the Meadow Dwellers to return home, and now Tullen would leave a note in the meeting hall kitchen. Tavi doubted the Meadow Dwellers still checked for such a note each night. Perhaps by now they’d moved from the caverns, starting a new community deep in the forest. She hoped she was wrong.
As Tullen walked off, Tavi said, “I’d like to check on something. Narre, will you come with me?”
Narre nodded and told Sall and Ellea, “We’ll meet you in the forest when we’re done.”
Tavi led her cousin through the Meadow, all the way back to the cottage the two of them had shared with Wrey and Reba. Now the place needed repairs and a good scouring.
“You can wait at the front door,” Tavi said. Narre agreed with a curious smile.
Tavi walked through the cottage. When she arrived at the little room where she’d slept, her breath caught in her chest. Wiping damp palms on her pants, she stepped forward to a small shelf hanging on the wall. She reached up, and her fingers touched something there. Tears filled her eyes as she pulled down a thin book. Its soft leather cover was covered in dust. Tavi brushed it off, then let out a sneeze and a sob. She held the book to her chest. Her journal, the last gift Misty had given her. With tears streaming down her face, she exited the cottage. She took Narre’s hand, and they walked back toward the short tunnel.
The next morning, Tavi woke to Tullen’s voice.
“They answered!”
Tavi sat up. The sun had only just risen, but she’d slept at least ten hours. Her headache was gone, and she finally felt like herself again.
Tullen held up a small piece of paper and a key. “It’s from Aba!” His voice thick with tears, he said, “They’ll be back home this morning. She’d like us to meet them at the Hall of Elders.”
Minutes later, the Golds exited their short tunnel and walked through the streets of the Meadow. They arrived at the Hall of Elders and entered the large back yard. Tullen unlocked the padlock at the back of the building, then swung the wall open. The Golds removed all the furniture from the room, but Tullen had no idea how to open the massive trapdoor that took up most of the floor. So they returned to the yard and waited.
Half an hour later, a creaking sound filled the air. Ever so slowly, the edge of the floor closest to them began to lift. It rose higher and higher, finally stopping when the opening was almost as tall as Tullen. He stepped forward.
Aba and two other elders ascended the staircase and stepped into the light of the yard. They squinted against the sun, using their hands to shade their eyes. They were pale, and they smelled just as Tavi supposed one should smell after months without proper baths or laundry.
Tullen offered his hand for Aba to shake, but she reached out and embraced him instead. Tavi could barely make out the words the elder murmured in Tullen’s ear: “Thank you for bringing us home.”
Tavi walked down the stairs into the large cellar. She and the other Golds had spent the last few hours helping the Meadow Dwellers move out of the caves. That done, they’d offered to help carry out some of the cavern supplies. In the coming months, the residents would need the remainder of the food they’d stored. It would tide them over until they replenished their livestock and grew more crops.
When Tavi crossed back into the huge main cavern, Sall, Narre, and Ellea were ascending the long, stone staircase. The only other person Tavi saw was Tullen, who was standing on the floor of the cavern, his back to them.
“Is everyone else out?” Tavi asked.
“The last of the Meadow Dwellers just left,” Sall replied. “They said they’ll come back tomorrow for the rest of the supplies.”
“Aba invited us to the meeting hall for a late lunch whenever we’re ready,” Narre said. “I’m so hungry, I could eat four courses of antlerfruit. Want to come with us?”
“I’ll meet you there,” Tavi said.
The three of them continued on, and Tavi descended the stairs and crossed to Tullen. “Aren’t you hungry?” she asked.
He turned. “I just wanted to spend a few more minutes in here.”
“You look like you’re deep in thought,” Tavi said with a smile. “Want to be alone?”
He shook his head, returning the smile. “I am deep in thought. But I don’t want to be alone. It’s a cavern built for two.” Tavi laughed, and Tullen said, “I thought I might walk through the caves now that it’s quiet in here. Would you like to come?”
She nodded, and they crossed through the main cavern. A few lanterns still shone, but everything in the tunnels and beyond was dark.
“I guess you’ll have to provide the light,” Tullen said as they stood before a yawning, black tunnel entrance.
Tavi nodded. The object of her desire was right next to her, and she was a little embarrassed at how responsive her magic was. She let it fill her up, and they entered the tunnel guided by the golden light of her gifts.
After they’d wandered awhile, they entered a large cavern they hadn’t seen during their brief stay there. When Tavi’s light illuminated the area, she let out a surprised exclamation. She remembered Aba saying that one of their touch-blessed residents would attempt to grow plants in the caverns. Sure enough, dozens of wooden crates were filled with soil, supporting vibrant, green plants.
When they reached the end of the area the Meadow Dwellers had inhabited, they kept going. “What’s that?” Tavi asked, pointing at an odd, pale-blue light emanating from a cave.
“Let’s go see,” Tullen said.
They walked to the cave entrance and halted. “Oh my,” Tavi breathed. The ceiling and walls were dotted with blue, glowing spots. Long, icicle-like strands hung from some of the bright smudges on the ceiling. The entire cave was filled with ethereal light.
Tavi walked forward, keeping her footsteps light. This was a place that demanded only one reaction: hushed awe. “What is it?” she whispered.
“I don’t know,” Tullen said, the same reverence in his voice.
They walked farther and sat next to a pool of water. Tavi released her magic; in this cave, they didn’t need it. Her eyes roved over the gorgeous, glowing spots, then settled on the still water, which reflected the blue glow. She sat motionless and allowed her mind to wander.
She’d seen tears escape Tullen’s eyes as he wrote the note to Aba the day before. It grieved him that his beautiful Meadow had been abused by a thousand undisciplined soldiers, led by a woman who neve
r should have been in charge. And today, Tavi had seen Tullen’s joy when he’d embraced his mother, father, and brother as they exited the caves.
Over two years ago, Tullen had chosen to leave the Meadow. And he’d been happy when he’d lived in Oren, or at least she thought he had. But this was still the place of his birth, his childhood home. His family’s home.
Would he want to stay? And if so, what did that mean for her?
She turned her head to look at him. He was staring at the ceiling, and he brought his eyes down to meet hers. They both smiled, and then she gazed at the water again.
Back to the question, which felt annoyingly urgent: If he stayed, what did that mean for her?
The hush of the cavern brought sudden clarity. She knew the answer, perhaps had known it for years.
My home is where he is.
She could tell him that.
But, no, he’d made his feelings clear in recent months. He’d kept distance between them. She’d had her chance, and she’d messed it up.
“Will it be worth it, just to have tried?”
“Yes.”
What they had now was good. Every so often, it didn’t feel like enough, but usually, it was fine. It was certainly better than the distance that would develop if she confessed her feelings and he rejected her.
“Even if you fail?”
“Yes.”
Her peace fled as she wrestled with herself, her doubts pitted against her hopes. She’d been so willing to do whatever it took when they’d confronted Konner at the rally. But it was one thing to risk standing up to a sadistic, power-hungry man. It was another thing entirely to risk her heart.
Yet even as she fought against it, the answer she’d given Tess repeated in her mind, carried on the urgent beat of her heart.
Facing the Fire Page 45