Page 142 of Death of a Mortal

After some trial and error, I found raw magic easier to call forth than fire. My first attempt at moving a small rock on the ground at my feet sent it flying toward Bramick, who had ducked just in time. But by the end of our lesson, it took barely a fully formed thought to untie Bramick’s boot, to levitate the flicker to eye level, and to write my name in the dirt.

I looked back around, hoping to see Drayce’s nod of approval or smile or something, but he was gone.

Slightly crestfallen, I left Bramick to meet with Kaelor at the end of our lesson, only to find a note on the chalkboard of our classroom that said:No class today, meet again tomorrow. - Kaelor.

So I walked back to my barracks, unsure what to do with my time until lunch. I supposed I should continue reading.

What I found on my bed when I arrived made my heart skip a beat. A small brown book sat next to my pillow with a note on top in messy handwriting.

Keryth left this for you. I hope it gives you the answers you need.

-Drayce

PS: Looking forward to dinner.

My mother’s journal. The emotions that warred inside me over what I held were somber, terrifying, thrilling, and devastating, all at once.

I sat just holding it for a long time before I decided I was not ready to read it.

* * *

After lunch, Iknew I should have been using my time to read Sevrin’s assigned books since we wouldn’t meet again until I did, but I wanted to put a plan into action. So I headed to Drayce’s house and knocked.

After no response, I knocked once more before Bramick walked by and said Drayce was gone.

“Gone?”

“On a mission, he’ll be back in a couple of days. Anything I can help with?”

Bummer. “I was actually seeing if I could borrow one of the magic-blocking handcuffs.”

He looked surprised. “I have one from…that night. I can give it to you if you tell me why you want it.”

“I…” Hadn’t thought through what I was going to say. I didn’t exactly want anyone to know why I wanted it. “Can you just trust me on this?”

He looked over me with a scrutinous glare. Just when I was sure he would say no, that he had to know why, he said, “Alright, fine. Follow me, I’ll grab it for you.”

We walked down a few doors to a similar house to Drayce’s, except this house seemed to be shared between multiple captains. I waited at the front while he went down the hall and into a room to the left. As I waited, Kellan stuck his head out from another room in the hall on the right.

“Hey, Naci,” he said as he approached.

“Hey. Are you…a captain?”

He smiled the same eye-crinkling smile I’d seen on the ship here. “I am. Captain over all mortal forces and leader of the Pathfinders order.”

“Oh, well then. Didn’t realize I was talking to such a big shot.”

He laughed, bringing a smile to my face as Bramick came back, cuff in hand.

“Don’t go slapping this on anyone. None here would be too thrilled,” Bramick said.

“I won’t, I promise,” I said before thanking him and turning to leave. “Oh, and where is the smithy?”

Bramick opened his mouth, then closed it, shaking his head. “I don’t even wanna know. Other side of the barracks, past the livestock paddocks.”

“Thanks!” I turned to leave but paused. Over my shoulder, I said, “Hope to see you around, Kellan.”

He smiled with a wave and I left their house. It was heartening that mortals not only fought in the rebellion but also held important roles too. They weren’t hiding behind the safety of their allied fae but fighting for themselves. For their survival. It gave me hope.