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I nod as he follows ht "The Rift dies with him Returns to Norta," I say "Ptoleht a ith Father dead No , he isn’t meant for it"

"I find that hard to believe," Cal scoffs, his tone changing Then his eyes shift, brows knitting together, before releasing like a weight cut loose Realization washes over him "You haven’t told your parents this, have you?"

I shake ht--"

"I’ to let him die I know," I hiss to myself, at myself I snatch , I stare at the carpeted floor, tracing the fine patterns of Red-ht ers are hot beneath eline," he murmurs, but I don’t want his pity I push hinet aren’t real I can’t iine what punishainst his knuckles, idly running his hand back and forth over his lips Eyes far away, he nods in agreement

"For all of us"

TWENTY-EIGHT

Iris

Citadel of the Lakes is the safest place I could ever be, and yet I’ over uards in their blues, al Jidansa is here too, the old telky trailingover the vast training grounds She has a cal presence, much like my iments of the Lakelander arions ceded to Maven while ere allied, have earned soht Eager to win a country for the glory of the Lakelands The hills and rivers, the beaches of Norta Their powerful tech towns, bursting with electricity and econo to be claimed

Thousands upon thousands of soldiers drill in the rain, unbothered by the eather The sadom From Citadel of the Snows to Citadel of the Rivers, the call has gone out We are ather, Silver and Red The army of the Lakelands is assembled and ready to strike We have the numbers; we have the abilities Our enemy is already crippled, and we need only put it out of its misery

So why do I feel so unsettled, deep introops doesn’t require royal finery, and both of us are dressed like the soldiers we support, in blue uniforold Even Mother has stopped wearing her eance It weighs on us all like a heavy stone I feel it with every step

We cross the last bridge, stepping onto one of thethe central structure of the citadel The s glow, beckoning aret out of the weather Myour pace, and leads us inside We’re supposed to meet Tiora for lunch, but by the time we reach the room prepared for our meal, she still isn’t there

It isn’t like lance at my mother for some kind of explanation, but she merely takes her seat at the head of the table If Queen Cenra isn’t bothered by Tiora’s absence, then I won’t be either