Page 51 of To Fight and To Fold

It was only with his grace that Aaryn lived.

The entire continent rallied behind the Great Dragon, using the magic of the land to seal the rift, to lock the Terrors away. Even today, the seal was charged with magic to keep them at bay.

Any use of the Great Dragon's magic would weaken the seal, and Rishika would be overrun with Terrors once again.

The sky above the Monastery of Scale was forever a reminder. Some described it as if a blade had split the sky, spilling out colors of green and purple and pink, a mottled glimpse of the world beyond it. Of what awaited them if the seal ever broke. A threat.

That's why using magic was forbidden. Why the lands had been thrust into a depression. As the people recovered from the brutal attack, they also had to adjust to a life without magic.

The fear of destruction at the hands of the Terrors was enough for the population to fall in line.

Those that did not follow the law were punished accordingly.

Even the Monastery of the Scale, home to the most loyal worshipers of the Great Dragon, allowed itself to become desolate without magic. The land around it withered, and even that wasn't enough for them to break their vow, to pick up magic again.

Aaryn knew all of this lore, though perhaps not worded as succinctly. It had been passed down to her in bedtime stories, by word of mouth.

Do not fear. The Great Dragon protects us everyday.

She read the words greedily, as if she would find answers between the text.

She did not find anything she didn't already know.

Her gaze fell to a book she had not the bravery to open, not in front of Runa.

It was about druids.

Maybe she was also afraid to open it because of the answers it might hold.

"Learning anything new?" Runa asked, slumped in the chair across from Aaryn. It was only then that Aaryn noticed the cast of the sun's rays through the windows. It was practically dark.

She stood in a hurry. "My scales, we're going to miss dinner! I'm so sorry, Runa, I lost track of time. Let me return these to their shelves quickly."

Runa shook her head. "Worry not, the change of scenery was quite nice. I can help— split the stack with me."

She stood and stretched, her light armor clinking as she moved, and Aaryn handed her half the stack of books.

"Let's race," Runa said.

Aaryn chuckled as she raced from shelf to shelf to put the books in the correct places.

Except one.

That one she stuffed beneath her corset—which did make it more difficult to breathe—and she adjusted her skirts until she looked presentable and not suspicious at all.

"Ready?"

Aaryn turned to Runa with a bright smile, and showed her empty hands. "Did we tie?" she asked.

Runa waved her on. "Seems so. Maybe I'll get you next time," she said.

Aaryn laughed, and she hoped it didn't sound as strained as she feared.

"I hope there's potted pie tonight," Runa sighed dreamily.

"Is that your favorite?" Aaryn asked.

The guard nodded, and both of their steps quickened as they raced for Evergale Castle once more.