Content Warning:

When Liv woke in the morning, for the first time since leaving Coral Bay, she found Thora waiting for her, with a fresh dress laid out and waiting. When Liv glanced over at her enchanted boots, she was surprised to find they’d been cleaned and polished sometime during the night.

“I thought you’d be busy with Triss,” Liv said, but she couldn’t help grinning. “It’s good to see you made it here safe.”

“I’m told you’ll only be here this one morning, m’lady,” Thora said. “And Lady Beatrice assured me she didn’t mind. Did you want to be visiting the hot springs before you dress?”

It was a very tempting idea, and Liv considered it. However, she’d already been at Whitehill much longer than she’d originally planned, and there could always be bathing at Mountain Home.

“No,” she decided. “But if you can braid my hair nice and tight, so that it won’t come out while I’m fighting, that would be wonderful.”

“Of course, m’lady.” Thora helped Liv dress, and then sat her down at the vanity to go to work on her hair. That ended up involving not only the usual wooden comb and oils, but also a small pair of scissors to deal with all the knots she’d accumulated.

“You should really take better care of your hair,” Thora scolded.

“Other than a few days at Al’Fenthia and then one at Mountain Home, I’ve mostly been living in Vædic ruins up in the mountains, or camping,” Liv explained. “Maybe I should just have you cut it short, like Rose’s hair."

Thora’s gasp showed exactly what she thought of that. “Don’t even talk about it, m’lady,” she said. “This is why you should let me come with you.”

“I can’t take you where we’re going,” Liv said. “The Tomb of Celris is dangerous. It’s a greater rift, and it’s so far north that not even trees can grow. Without the right clothing, or magic, you’d freeze to death before an hour had passed. And that’s to say nothing of the mana beasts: white bears as big as a house, whole packs of wolves –”

A knock on the door of Liv’s sitting room interrupted her, and Thora ran over to see who it was. A moment later, she returned with Rosamund, who immediately went over and plopped herself down on Liv’s bed.

“How long are we staying here?” the dark-haired girl asked, laying back in the rumpled sheets and blankets.

“Just long enough to have a morning meal,” Liv answered, while Thora’s nimble fingers went back to work on the braids.

“What’s this?” Rose asked.

Liv couldn’t quite turn her head enough to see easily, so she was forced to look out of the corner of her eye. She couldn’t help but blush when she saw that Rose had found her old rag doll.

“I’ve had her since I was a little girl,” Liv explained, somewhat embarrassed. Rose, after all, had grown up a lady, not a scullion. No doubt whatever dolls she’d had as a child been far fancier.

“That explains why she looks thirty years old,” Rose said. “So little Liv used to cuddle up with this rag-doll at night? That sounds unbelievably cute. Does she have a name?”

“The doll, and the cat,” Liv answered. Thora was down to the very ends up the braids now. “We used to have a black castle mouser named Charlie. I thought she was a tom for the longest time, right up until she had a litter of kittens. Some of her babies are still hunting the halls now.”

“There you are, m’lady,” Thora said. Released from the maid’s attentions, Liv was finally able to stand up and face the bed.

“You didn’t actually tell me what her name is,” Rose chided her, eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Is it something very embarrassing?”

Liv sighed. “No. Just a bit – ironic, I suppose. I called her Rosie.”

“Oh.” Rosamund’s eyes widened in surprise, and she held up the doll to look over it again. Whatever humor had been lurking in her eyes and on her lips died. Liv couldn’t, for the life of her, figure out what her friend was thinking.

“Are you hungry?” she asked, finally. “They’ll be serving in the great hall.”

Rose shook herself, sat up, and very gently tucked the doll in among the pillows. “Let’s go then,” she said, swinging her long legs out and off the bed, then standing. Together, they headed downstairs.

☙

Breakfast was like an attempt to crowd the high table with everything that the Aspen Valley was known for, all at once. Liv wasn’t certain whether the intent was to remind her of all her favorite foods, or to impress Rose, but Greta and her mother had outdone themselves.

There was honey-cornbread, steaming and slathered with freshly churned butter; fluffy eggs tossed with local cheese; spiced and roasted potatoes; smoked bacon; and even tender cuts of steak slathered in Whitehill Sauce. Chilled watered wine, ale and cider were all kept in buckets full of fresh snow until they were wanted, and every one of the footmen was waiting along the wall to serve at need.

Liv’s mother ate at the high table once again, even though she’d clearly been cooking all morning. The only thing that jarred Liv’s good mood was that Triss seemed to only pick at her food, and excused herself halfway through the meal. Worried, Liv found a moment to catch Matthew alone after the meal. She caught him by his remaining arm and held him back while everyone else made their way to the courtyard.

“Is Triss alright?” she asked, as soon as they were alone.

Matthew glanced around, then sighed. “She’s not sick, if that’s what you mean,” he explained. “But she’d lost two babies since we’ve been married, Liv.”

“Oh no.” Liv immediately wanted to ask if there was anything she could do, or to rush upstairs and find her sister-in-law so that she could embrace her. “Can Mistress Trafford help?”

“She’s done everything she can, which isn’t much,” Matthew said. “Anyway, she’s down at the pass, helping to organize a field hospital there. Look, don’t say anything to Triss. She doesn’t like to talk about it, and she didn’t want you to know.”

“Well that’s silly of her,” Liv complained. “If she’d told me when she came to Coral Bay, I could’ve had Professor Annora look at her. Look, if she came to Mountain Home with us this morning, I’m sure Arjun would do whatever he could.”

Matthew seemed to consider the idea for a moment. “No. Give me a bit to work on her,” he said. “When you come back for flood season, you’re going to bring your friend, aren’t you?” Liv nodded. “By the time you come, then, I’ll get her to agree to it.”

“Fine. But I don’t even like waiting that long,” Liv grumbled. Matthew set off after the rest of the family, and Liv was about to follow, but she caught sight of an unfamiliar girl in an apron peeking out from around the corner. “Go on,” she said. “I’ll catch right up.”

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Once Matthew was out of sight, Liv turned to the serving-girl. “You can come out,” she said.

The girl who shuffled forward couldn’t have been more than seven or eight, at most. Delicate blonde curls poked out from around the edges of her cap, and her hands were raw and red from scrubbing. She kept her eyes lowered to the floor, and trembled so violently that Liv half expected to hear her teeth chattering.

“What’s your name?” Liv asked.

“Molly,” the girl squeaked.

Liv smiled as gently as she could. “And what can I do for you, Molly?”

“Is it – is it true you used to be the scullion here?” the girl asked.

Liv took two steps closer, and knelt down so that she wouldn’t be towering over the terrified child. “Are you the scullion now?”

Molly nodded her head.

“Yes,” Liv said. “Yes, I was the scullion for years. And then I found out that I could do magic, and Master Grenfell taught me. They must have hired you on since I went off to the college.”

“Last spring,” Molly admitted. “Do you think I could do magic?”

“I don’t know,” Liv said. “But you know who could check? Master Grenfell.”

“He’s scary,” the scullion said, shaking her head.

Liv grinned. “I used to think that too, you know? But he’s really not, once you get to know him. I bet if you asked, he would test you to see how much mana you can hold. But if you’re afraid to ask, I can say something to him. Would you like that?”

“Yes.” The girl nodded her head up and down. “Thank you!” She gave a quick, sloppy curtsy, then turned and ran off around the corner – presumably back toward the kitchens and the scullery. Liv watched her go for a moment, then stood and headed to the courtyard. It would be better if everyone was tested, she thought to herself. Perhaps on a certain birthday. With how haphazard things were now, she wouldn’t doubt there were a dozen orphans in Lucania right now, all as talented as Master Jurian had been, none of whom would ever live up to their potential.

She found Master Grenfell waiting on the edge of the crowd, and he headed over to her the moment Liv stepped out into the cold morning air. “I have something for you, while you’re here,” her old teacher said. He held one of the blank books which were always for sale at Gaunt’s Books. “Every spell I’ve developed for Cei,” the old man explained. “Not that there are all that many. As well as the enchantments you need to make a dreamstone.”

“Thank you,” Liv said, and tucked the book under her arm. “You don’t mind if I share this with Sidonie, I hope?”

“Of course not.” Grenfell smiled.

“Good. Oh, and could you test the scullion, to see how many rings she can hold?” Liv asked. “Her name’s Molly.”

The master mage raised his eyebrows. “If you’d like.”

“Good.” Liv grinned. “I’ll see you before the snows melt. I promise.”

The next few moments were a press of well wishes and embraces, and she found herself repeating that commitment over and over again. Finally, Liv and Rose stood in the center of the courtyard, with a space cleared about them. Drawing her wand, she summoned another gyrefalcon construct, and then they were off – along with a basket of baked treats for Piers and his two subordinates, handed off by Sophie.

☙

The waystone took them back to Mountain Home, where Liv and Rose found that the adjustments to their new armor were complete, and every member of the expedition had been supplied with a pack absolutely stuffed to the brim with supplies.

“Trail rations, bandages, a bedroll of northern fox furs, two changes of clothes, an extra waterskin each, a notebook, pot of ink, and two quills, snowshoes, rope, pitons, a hunting knife apiece.” Keri paused. “Arjun has more medical supplies than I believed anyone could fit. I’ve got oil and a whetstone for our blades. We don’t need torches, I’ll take care of the light. We don’t have the kind of parkas they use at Kelthelis, but I have heavy winter cloaks for everyone.”

“Good,” Liv said, looking over the four packs while she munched on a mouthful of mana-rich jerky. She'd insisted that Rose have some, as well, so that they were all holding as much mana as they could before they left. Each pack had snowshoes secured to the sides, where they could hang easily.

“You’re certain we won’t need tents?” Keri asked. “We could bring Linnea and Olavi to set up a base camp at the waystone.”

“No, I can make us shelters from ice,” Liv said. “And while I’ve no doubt they’re capable warriors, we’d need a lot more than two people to hold the waystone. Every time I’ve travelled in or out, I’ve been attacked by something. It’s like the mana beasts at the Tomb are particularly aggressive.”

“We’re as ready as we can be, then?” Rose asked.

“I believe we are,” Liv agreed.

Keri’s two warriors brought the packs down to the waystone, giving the three of them time to help each other into their armor. That involved Liv changing into trousers, but it felt like such a small thing to complain about that she didn’t say anything. By the time they met Arjun and Keri’s family down at the waystone, the only pieces they hadn’t put on yet were their helms, each carried under an arm and then set down next to the packs.

Arjun had been fitted with something very like the formal robes that Keri and Ambassador Sakari had worn in Freeport seven years before. The embroidery contained both of the same enchantments as the armor they’d been provided with: it would help to keep him warm, and might flash a glare into the eyes of an enemy.

To Liv’s surprise, Keri’s cousin, Sohvis, was wearing armor and a winter cloak as well, and carrying a sword. She glanced at Keri with a frown, and mouthed ‘what’s going on?’

Keri gave a quick shake of his head, to indicate that he didn’t know, then stood up and addressed his cousin. “Sohvis, you look as if you are preparing to go somewhere.” Liv was impressed at how he managed to keep his tone even, and free of anger: in his place, she wasn’t certain that she would have been able to do the same.

“Four is not enough to brave a greater rift,” Sohvis declared. “I will accompany you.”

“No!” Rika exclaimed. She was holding Rae in front of her, by both shoulders.

“For once, I agree with her,” Liv said, and stepped up next to Keri to face his cousin. “I don’t know you, Sohvis. I’ve never fought next to you before. Thank you, but I have the team I need.”

Sohvis, however, did not even look at Liv – he only maintained eye contact with Keri. “You know that you will need my help,” he proclaimed. “Do not let yourself die out of pride.”

Up until that moment, Liv had been trying to be nice. To be polite. To not make enemies. Up until that moment.

Frost cracked out along the waystone and the stones of the path as Liv bore down on Sohvis with her Authority. With a grunt, the proud Elden warrior fell to his knees. Flakes of snow drifted through the air between them, and Liv took a step forward.

“I think that you have misunderstood,” Liv said. She realized her fists were clenched at her sides, and made a deliberate effort to loosen her fingers. “Keri volunteered to accompany me on this expedition. I have accepted his help, because I trust him and I have fought beside him before.” Even if it was only twice, when he and her father saved her in Freeport, and then when they journeyed to Kelthelis at the time of her grandfather’s death.

“The only two things I know about you, Sohvis ka Auris,” Liv continued, “are that you were so disrespectful you couldn’t even address me directly, for one, and that you’ve had some sort of affair with my friend’s kwenim behind his back. Neither of those makes me inclined to trust you, or to allow you to come with us. I made the mistake of leaving people I couldn’t trust at my back once, and I’m never going to do it again. You remain here.”

At this point, Sohvis had both palms pressed against the ground, and he was straining to hold himself up. Rika had pulled Rei back away from her lover, but Liv wasn’t focused on them – she wasn’t focused on anyone but Sohvis.

“And to be completely clear,” Liv said, taking a step forward, “you are not welcome in the lands of House Syvä, until such time as you have made some sort of apology, at the very least. If I find you following us into my family’s lands without permission? I will assume that you’ve come as an enemy, and I will deal with you as an enemy. Do you understand?”

Sohvis grunted and strained against Liv’s authority, but could not rise.

“Enough!” Keri’s aunt said, striding forward, and Liv was forced back a step as the old woman’s Authority collided with her own. “I will not allow you to treat my son this way.”

Väina tär Väinis’s Authority was like the oppressive heat of a midsummer day, the kind of beating sun that made you desperate to seek shelter in the shade, or to strip off your clothes and jump into the Aspen River.

Liv allowed Cel to do what the word of power always seemed to want – which was to erupt in a whiteout blizzard of whipping wind and flying snow.

“Stop!” Keri shouted, surging forward toward his aunt. “Is this how you treat my guests?”

“I believe that is more than enough,” Keri’s father, Ilmari said. He stepped forward and placed a hand on his sister’s arm, and though she shot him an angry glance, her Authority receded. Liv, for her part, shut Cel back up in the back of her mind.

“We’re going to be leaving, now,” Liv said, into the silence that followed.

Rei fought his way free of his mother’s grasp and rushed forward to his father, throwing his arms around Keri’s legs. “I don’t want you to go,” the boy said, and though Liv couldn’t see his face she could hear the tears in his voice.

“I will come back,” Keri promised. “As soon as I can.”

We’ve both made the same promise to our families, Liv realized, as she watched Keri kneel down and embrace his son. Now I just need to make certain we keep our word. A moment later, reluctantly, Keri sent Rei back to his mother.

She stepped onto the waystone, and Arjun, Rosamund, and a moment later Keri joined her. Keri's father touched the sigil for their destination, to send them on their way, and then retreated off the stone. A count of two hundred later, their world was obliterated in light.

An instant or an eternity after that, the four companions stood in a frozen, eternal dusk, atop the cliff that led down into the Tomb of Celris.