Page 76 of The Last Remaining Light

The Null collapsed before the sounds of screams and shattered lanterns faded. Blood pooled around the gaping wound left in his chest. White frost had begun to spread across the wet stone beneath the prisoner’s feet even with the summer rain.

Quiet settled over the square.

Not triumph or relief. Only acceptance.

“Good riddance,” an elderly woman spat as she turned away.

Elowynn stared at the lifeless face in abject horror; he died with his eyes wide with fear. Distantly, she noticed her hands were shaking. That was when the full crowd began dispersing in a quiet, orderly fashion. Like this was just another necessary function of civilization.

Lora exhaled a long breath beside her, noting her stricken look. “Elowynn…”

But Elowynn couldn't look away from the platform below. From the still form lying in his own blood, motionless beneath the rain.

Master Vaelor remained standing there for another moment before finally turning toward the crowd. And for one terrible moment, his eyes lifted directly toward her.

Elowynn was rooted to the spot.

His severe expression didn't change, yet she had the sudden terrible sense that he had understood her reaction perfectly. Then he inclined his head once before turning and descending from the platform.

A warning disguised as courtesy, perhaps? The implication struck her. He knew she had disagreed with this.

The walk back through the upper districts felt dreamed. The city still glowed beautifully around them. Lanterns gleamed across wet bridges. Observatory towers pierced the clouds like silver needles. Somewhere distant, scholars still argued over resonance theory while music carried faintly from the terrace districts.

Life continued normally. As though a boy had not just been murdered beneath the rain.

Lora remained quiet beside her for a long while before finally speaking.

“Are you alright?”

Elowynn said nothing, nor did she meet her friend’s gaze. And Lora, gods bless her, didn't push.

By the time they reached the residential wing of the Spire and her personal quarters, the rain had strengthened into a silver haze beyond the windows. Lora touched her arm with tentative fingers before leaving.

“You’re certain you don’t want me to stay?”

Elowynn nodded absently as she set the books down on her desk. “I will be fine. Thank you, Lora.”

Lora only studied her for a moment longer before wrapping Elowynn in a hug.

“You know where I am if you need me.” Grateful for the comfort, Elowynn squeezed her back. “Try to get some sleep. I will see you at breakfast.”

But sleep never came.

Bells later, she sat alone beside the narrow window overlooking the lower city, Caelyn’s letter unfolded carefully across her lap.

The candles had long since burned low, having decided to use those instead of the lanterns. Outside, lower Veylspire was coated in a light fog, but the sky had cleared, the storm having passed. She looked out across the expanse of endless stars. Her mind lingered on one line in particular.

People who believe themselves responsible for deciding which truths survive over others often become dangerous eventually.

Genuine fear settled fully into her bones.

It was not fear for herself.

But fear for Caelyn.

Chapter Fifteen

“There is a peculiar loneliness that comes from becoming exactly what you once dreamed of.”