Cel jerked his hand back.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt36HRvaqD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMbTLCfe2Q
"I'm sorry. That was—"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdKFL6JOcS
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLjHFpOQ10
"It's okay." Her voice came distant, distracted. She touched her own head where his hand had been, fingers brushing through dark hair. Her gaze remained unfocused, lost in memory. "My brother used to do that. When I was upset."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSDR45fX1Z
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriiAQbstcp
The words hung between them like smoke.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPzVF4NbTK
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XGE7NN6hP
Cel's throat tightened. He needed to change the subject. Needed to steer away from this before she looked too closely, asked too many questions.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ97Bkn8n9F
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbDQlxqBrG
"You said your mother searched for him," he managed. "Is she..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcoE7nJB6u
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMx6Z9ch0g
"She divorced him." The words came sharp and final. Lyra's expression hardened. "After everything - after what he did - she couldn't stay. Neither did I."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1ZiYMVHBl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYIGkGABUK
Pride flickered through the pain in her voice.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHItTVGmJ3v
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq9vLX18HX
"My oldest brother stayed with Father. His choice." She shrugged, but the gesture was too tight, too controlled. "Mother and I moved here. To the capital."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQXU99JwPg
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtjWn9WgXx
‘Too late.’ 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2mpHauDNV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAbLwXDMyJ
The thought burned through Cel. His mother had finally found the strength to leave - after he was gone. After a year of torture. After she'd watched Lord Aldric tear the divine mark from his back and done nothing. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJG4mAP6L0
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwZzuRLR1T
She'd left when it was safe. When he couldn't be saved anymore. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tYCp2Pp55
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5erF9PJ7W
But at least she'd taken Lyra with her. Protected her. Given his little sister the escape he'd never had. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqblf1oqhtE
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVeFUGf4JZ
The bitterness and relief twisted together in his chest, inseparable.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX0Bn1GiK6
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKEOGEJBgy
Footsteps echoed from the church entrance - sharp and purposeful against worn stone. Both of them turned.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpdcT1ws31
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlmESQZbTW
A woman in servant's attire stood in the doorway, scanning the interior until her gaze landed on Lyra. Her expression shifted from searching to relieved.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E8OUJFQLw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhGzZg197l
"Lady Lyra," the woman called. "Your mother sent me to find you. It's getting late."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE27o8PlTw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ6t9S9msH
Lyra's shoulders sagged slightly - disappointment mixed with resignation. She rose from the bench, smoothing her dress one final time.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqarVbPYxw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe31YyY3Szg
"I have to go," she said, turning back to Cel. Something in her expression had changed - softer, warmer. "Thank you. For listening. For... what you said about the Moon Goddess. I really needed that today."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8c5SLrRSg
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXVgIoXnCC
She hesitated, then added quietly, "I hope I see you again. It was nice to meet you, Heir to the Moon."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2iUrEZldL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEwfYEjNn3
His name in her voice felt like a knife and a comfort all at once.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhS5KN424X
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbUU9JXCbz
"You too," he said.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcFSzMnMW3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlArXopRo4L
Lyra offered one last small smile, then followed the servant toward the entrance. Her footsteps faded across stone, then disappeared entirely as the heavy wooden doors swung shut behind her.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF6LsNnXdH
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qZ5wlxUpj
Silence rushed back in like water filling a void.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToaDBaSDGt
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYOEhkjCZ1
Cel remained on the bench, staring at the space where she'd been. His hands gripped his knees hard enough to hurt. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq98XfIJ9u
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR2MPXfEFl
She didn't know.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV35nfOKHnf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGA42CIt8I
She'd sat beside him, cried about him, talked about him, and never once realized the truth.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmafxo0BrH
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHFWLjnAet
He should feel relieved. Should be grateful she hadn't recognized him - that the secret remained safe.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IUXr4V2ND
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ53YRvC3p
Instead, he just felt hollow.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE0xyMfnSa
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEQTdtDWsS
Slowly, Cel rose from the bench. His legs felt unsteady, disconnected. He moved toward the altar, toward the pale stone mark of the Moon Goddess that watched over this forgotten space.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgD6CF5D3M
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlMnvXe8IK
The crescent seemed to glow brighter in the fading light - or maybe that was just his imagination. He stood before it, staring up at the symbol that had changed everything.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJzS6kidrX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFSrKryNPN
A carriage accident.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYYFxivZAi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITx3Q4h2Dc
So that was the story his father had told. Clean, tragic, unquestionable. And everyone had accepted it. His mother. His sister. The entire clan.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kPq9Vz4Mo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuIraUbN9B
No one had looked deeper. No one had questioned what really happened to the disappointment, the failure, the boy marked by the wrong deity.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijdgh2awVk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRDVeBFryx
They'd moved on. Built new lives. Forgotten.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaACBgK8jbJ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdRAqzhy7v
While he'd rotted in a cell.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Rd6wK4oNO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cGw5nRugz
The familiar burn of rage tried to surface - hot and bitter. But it couldn't quite catch hold. Not after hearing the pain in Lyra's voice. Not after seeing how much she still carried his memory.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWszsvwylOi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrZ2I566WJ
Cel's forced himself to breathe.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnzdXbgk8l
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQoGujbPfZ
He'd been gone for a year. Dead, as far as the world knew. In that time, everything had shifted - families had fractured, alliances had changed, stories had been written and believed.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfVum5qrDe
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJKCWwS1Bk
He needed to know what else had happened. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXLqLYsgT3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvtnYEJPM3
Cel left the church, the heavy wooden doors closing softly behind him.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm7n6AKU0K
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g90SBv0Dt
Evening had settled over the capital. The sky had deepened to purple-gray, and lamplighters were making their rounds through the streets. Warm light bloomed in windows as shops closed for the night and families gathered for dinner.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadBuws9sDx
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR63JCpywXh
His feet carried him without conscious direction, following the flow of people still moving through the city. Workers heading home. Late shoppers finishing errands. Groups of friends laughing together as they moved between taverns.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxncBGzBDIi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNakqfOqmI2
A tavern.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX3hCsMLT0
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsHxecMB5H
The thought surfaced with sudden clarity. Places where people gathered. Where tongues loosened with drink. Where information flowed as freely as ale.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZwAgJbTzx
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9XOuJX8KS
He'd never been to one before. His father had deemed such establishments beneath noble dignity - places for commoners and lesser merchants, not for nobles like him.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VNPna8jEn
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFGqJSXHQo
But he was no longer a Solmar.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxqUBoY2l0
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNvxe4VKnY
A sign caught his eye - faded wood with a painted barrel and wheat sheaf. “The Golden Hart.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSt5kjXfex
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwdLuW0Ems
Cel pushed through the door.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVvphRwhmC
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDfyy4pnlY
Warmth hit him immediately - body heat and cooking fires, the scent of roasted meat and spilled ale. The space was larger than it looked from outside, with rough wooden tables scattered across the floor and a long bar dominating one wall. Perhaps thirty people filled the room, their conversations creating a steady hum that washed over everything.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeGjpK19LB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOD8LTjwcL
No one looked up when he entered. Just another hooded figure seeking a drink.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXc7aAlRLn
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIzpC8i8yl
Perfect.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6xKt3ikxo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtemcbk1oH
He moved to the bar and slid onto an empty stool. The bartender - a broad man in his fifties, with the kind of shoulders that settled arguments without words - glanced over.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWxmvey80D
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwH2AyQlY7
"What'll it be?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs34VX87kx
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUWKSyyY5Q
Cel hesitated. He had no idea what to order. The extent of his knowledge about alcohol was that nobles drank wine and spirits, while commoners drank ale.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47KXfDu9g3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5316A5gkDf
"Ale," he said.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLOP2AGrhT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIroOqzb7Yk
The bartender nodded and turned away, pulling a tankard from beneath the bar and filling it from one of the barrels along the wall. He set it in front of Cel with a soft thunk.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX5gCyVcTO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzebNW3QYv
Cel placed coins on the bar. The bartender swept them up and moved to serve another customer.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqDDwDP4ns
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwd18ruWoh
The tankard sat before him, amber liquid catching the lamplight. Cel lifted it and took a sip.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxfyOBooHa
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6yBOcxWmF
Nothing. No taste registered - just liquid sliding down his throat, neither pleasant nor unpleasant.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FWBNnHBsI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp1qU58QwM
He drank more, watching the level drop. Around him, conversations continued - complaints about work, gossip about neighbors, plans for tomorrow. The normal rhythm of lives that hadn't been shattered and rebuilt.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSABSVI855
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C0f6GTnA4
The bartender returned after a few minutes. "How is it?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGOUxdZCYD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7wDo5g47B
Cel glanced at his half-empty tankard. "Fine."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatHtCB9AZX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87NwTNcnCs
"First time drinking?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn97aUbXQEk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTJ8iy9NmX
"Yes."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0agKWFYlP
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3Wv0fHh8o
The bartender's eyebrows rose slightly. "You're handling it well. Most people make a face." He studied Cel with mild curiosity. "New to the city?" 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxaMMxjk05
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mz0SbEnCU
"Recently arrived. I'm enrolled at the Academy."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K6SDf8RhV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbEBz59n2B
The bartender nodded to himself. "Thought so. You've got that look - like you're still taking it all in. We get a few of you in here from time to time. Though most stick to the fancier places near the palace."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDLW44bYjF
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8t6JQm6Yv
"I prefer this."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmccgFWsa1x
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96UZpn2o8y
The bartender's expression warmed slightly. "Good answer." He moved to refill another customer's drink, then returned. "What clan?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnmDSZgGLy
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyA1RqlMqH
It took Cel a moment to realize the question wasn't about his affiliation, but his origin. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOLmLdJgup
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q2ZKoHLkD
"Storm Clan territory," he said, using the lie Esrin had provided.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnzt9FpDrB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRkXo5RkTs
"Rough up there, I hear. With the Void and all." The bartender shook his head. "Can't imagine living that close to nothing."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2tF8vLNk5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmsntjMRN3
"It has its challenges."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FmMYXtIVQ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TsDCAM1DN
The conversation lapsed. Cel finished his first tankard and the bartender replaced it without being asked.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpSml9JgYy
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FXbj1Fvhk
"So what brings you to the capital?" The question came casual, the easy interest of someone used to making small talk. "Besides the Academy."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuQCQAUPsX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf79lMKwUE
"Wanted to see it." Not quite true, but not quite false either.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwac6mz3HD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2IuVAvOAB
The bartender leaned against the bar, wiping down a glass. "Tense time to arrive. All the succession talk has everyone on edge."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjepX2MMtWm
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb16gK0n6V
Cel's attention sharpened. Succession had been a topic before he'd been taken - the aging Emperor, whispers of which prince would inherit the throne - but it had never been described as tense. "Succession? I thought that was settled. The First Prince—" 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8PGFu4W0k
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNSLChA349
“Was the favorite, yeah. But not anymore." The bartender glanced around, lowering his voice slightly - not from fear, just habit. "First Prince still has the Emperor's support, but the Second Prince has the Empress backing him now - she's been pushing hard. And then there's the All-Blessed." 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KrZ6CKE5h
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThVY7Ca0m6
Cel went still. As far as he knew, there were only two princes.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0qim8JM0D
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYMtHiI9DR
"The All-Blessed?" he asked carefully.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZVJkG23mo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDJALC1oCe
"You haven't heard?" The bartender's eyebrows rose. "A kid blessed by all seven gods."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPZESPAqHX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CyixLVwaP
‘What?’ Cel nearly blurted out his disbelief.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ88pZPtxqD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZrLSNszMM
Being blessed by all seven deities was impossible. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ74uOSUKEk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0Ta6ZmfgG
Only the royal bloodline could be chosen by multiple gods - it was their defining feature, the foundation of their right to rule. Commoners, nobles, even the highest clan lords could not be chosen by more than one deity.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G498EpVdE
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkG5RcqKdJ
But all seven? That had happened only once in history - the world’s first Chosen who founded the Stellarion Empire.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8XAaTy3Kl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeixHeuwxz
"An illegitimate child," Cel said. Not a question. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8kKLFWZFF
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z6iyusPy9
"That's what everyone assumes. Has to be, right?” The bartender set down the tankard and picked up another. "But here's the thing - the Emperor hasn't acknowledged him as a prince yet. No title, no imperial name, nothing. Just... silence." 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOi3YytQPf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXXgOsEOcZ
"Then how—" 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEXy1uOuJo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz1b7OXGJT
"Life Clan took him in. Raised him, trained him, presented him at court." The bartender's tone carried a note of fascination. "They say he's the next Emperor whether the current one admits it or not. Ocean Clan's starting to agree. They figure if all seven gods chose him, that's authority enough."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqqD2QO4J7
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsdkvLFvec
Cel's mind raced. An illegitimate child. It was the only explanation. The Emperor had fathered a bastard, and somehow that child had received the impossible - blessings from every deity.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0eEDfxzyT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r2eCMgDaN
"What about the other clans?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMPuzAHIBC
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltHtG8CfNK
"Sun Clan's with the First Prince - they always back whoever the Emperor wants. Mountain Clan's with the Second because of the Empress. Storm Clan will probably follow Mountain, since Mountain's been keeping them alive." He paused. "Death Clan's a mess. No one knows what they'll do."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv51JqLPB1d
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1EY2PP8Yi
"Why?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqENOJmUMf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObyyG6pd3D
The bartender's expression shifted - not quite uncomfortable, but aware he was touching on sensitive topics. "You haven't heard about the Death Clan situation either?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB7pPlWi1t
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPRsyjtgAZ
"Only vaguely. My village was small - news didn't reach us quickly." Cel kept his tone neutral. "Something about their heir?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ707bU2IpEl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuMIsHw44O
"Right. Well." The bartender refilled Cel's tankard for the third time. "Their heir - the Prince of Death - came back from some expedition as one of the Cursed. Then he killed the Sun Clan's greatest prodigy and vanished. Death Clan's been in chaos ever since. Even some of their own houses are talking about replacing the leading house entirely.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AmgyuGxfO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9jh8eeoHJ
Raven. The bartender was talking about Raven.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS3GLbxErL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjNMP1fPF3
But Cel forced himself not to react, just nodded slowly and drank more.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22qnscZBTD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuyfWWAM4L
"The Sun Clan must be furious," he said.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGR9V2Fo9X
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5chDqiaoM
"Furious doesn't cover it. They went on complete lockdown for months. Only recently started opening back up." The bartender shook his head. "The prodigy they lost - he had a Divine Oracle as his guide. Do you know how rare that is? And some Cursed just waltzed in and murdered him."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJFk49HQaR
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcELb565v7y
Cel almost laughed. The Sun Clan had lost their greatest prodigy. And here he sat, their greatest failure, carrying a Divine Oracle in his soul.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h2RWwoFeP
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcu2G0D39L
"Do they know why?" Cel asked, keeping his voice level.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoh5TRTjps
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"Why does anyone do anything?" The bartender's tone carried the same casual dismissal as before. "Revenge, madness, corruption - who knows? The Cursed aren't right in the head."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtik1jdtNt
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Cel's fingers tightened around his tankard, but he said nothing. Just drank.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafYe37Zv2U
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The fourth tankard appeared. Then the fifth.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1rqp9uQhI
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The bartender had been watching him with growing fascination.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9haxTSvwr
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"You're putting it away pretty steady for someone who's never touched the stuff."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K4WuerjEa
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Cel glanced at his latest drink. He'd lost count. The liquid went down as easily as water, with just as little effect.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcN1DVNTvM
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"I don't feel anything," he admitted.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXTsex0vRF
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"Nothing?" The bartender refilled the tankard, looking genuinely curious now. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXQSaEQRJ3
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"You either have a hell of a constitution or you’re lying to me." A pause. "But you don't seem like a liar." 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0y3hEwKwd
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Cel said nothing. Just drank.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty17J2wpJg
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The tavern's warmth had seeped into his shoulders, loosening muscles that had been tight since the church. Not from the alcohol - just from being somewhere anonymous. Somewhere no one knew what he was or what he'd survived.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAM9MVwsJs
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"The succession's going to get messy," the bartender continued, returning to the earlier topic. "Three factions, and none of them willing to back down."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3ACpeCfVh
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Cel drank more. The seventh - or was it eighth?216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvBkrxC5wb
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"Sounds complicated," he said.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQu4iGpZ58
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"It is. And it's only going to get worse." The bartender leaned closer, voice dropping. "Rumor is the Emperor and Empress are barely speaking. He wants the First Prince. She wants the Second. And neither of them is backing down."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rfHbhoPhS
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"What happens if they can't agree?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl47nP9Uqi
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"That's the question everyone's asking." The bartender straightened. "Best case? One of them concedes and the succession goes smoothly. Worst case?" He shook his head. "Civil war. The whole Empire tears itself apart."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ht2QPXcLh
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The words settled over Cel like a weight.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydmUF1Iz3K
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A year ago, he would have cared deeply about clan politics. Would have analyzed every alliance, every potential outcome, trying to understand how it affected House Solmar's position.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBrLcQTbHJ
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Now it all felt distant. Abstract.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ07WwITX9
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Let them fight over succession. Let the clans tear each other apart. None of it mattered.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSmK7HWsIS
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He finished another tankard.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bj1prR8fN
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The bartender was watching him now with undisguised interest. "You're on your ninth. Most people would be under the table by now."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB2xxxAXI0
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"I'm not."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGxY2KmqyX
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"I can see that." A pause. "You sure you're alright?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmrMo75vFe
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"Yes."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqh8F0LOtn
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Not quite. But close enough.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWomxIqji1
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The bartender studied him for a long moment, then seemed to come to some decision. "Look, I'll keep pouring if you keep paying. But I've got to ask - what are you looking for here? Because if it's information, I've told you what I know. If it's oblivion..." He gestured at the empty tankards. "Well, doesn't seem like that's working."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexoWzBnTrs
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Cel stared at the amber liquid in his current drink.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGsdxu23ra
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What was he looking for?216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQzUXbd1hn
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Not oblivion. His divine body didn't seem capable of granting him that mercy.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvCm21MMrk
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He'd come for information. He'd gotten it - the clans were fracturing, succession looming, his family scattered. All the facts he'd needed. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANixkP0Q2S
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The world had kept turning while he died and came back. Everyone else knew their place in it. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoFqaRHO5U
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He was still trying to remember what it felt like to have one. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8wvgAkayu
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"Just trying to figure out where I fit," Cel said finally.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhBqo188EL
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