A mysterious past, an unrequited love, and a desperate need to find himself, fifteen-year-old Kalyn has enough to occupy him without being on the verge of a massive societal upheaval. Join Kalyn and his friends as they explore what it means to come...
In the time before Dager's ascension, Elder Paschal was in possession of a key. Köv had seen it trade hands often enough between the hunting parties. Where it is now, though, assuming it hasn't been destroyed, is the present mystery.
"He couldn't destroy it," Mab reasons. "They still need to be able to cross the border." Balai produces enough food to support those few who are left—or at least it did, when Incarnates and able bodies were available to till the land—but cutting itself off entirely would be foolish. In spite of Dager's myriad assertions that it is for their protection.
"He has to have it," she asserts.
"That's what I feared."
Agan is adamant that they have not been identified on their attempts at entry. If Dager knew that they were camped so close, he would have been on them already. Yet the recent skirmishes would have him on high alert.
"Gen can fly over without attracting much attention," Agan volunteers. Already, the hawk has provided us with surveillance of the current situation. Gen is to thank for what little we knew of our enemy. "If we went at night, he could get closer. Land, even. Gen can carry a key. It's just... if Dager has it inside..."
"Tiva is good at getting into places he shouldn't," Teak offers with a self-conscious grin.
"But can he pick a lock?" Köv challenges, unconvinced. "If you think he's just left the front door unlocked then-"
"Actually," Mab interjects. "I know of a way." Mab's bedroom window, it turns out, has a fatal flaw.
"I broke it one night" She admits this with a flushing of cheeks. Then, to our presumed judgement, she adds: "What? Sometimes I needed a break... Especially if they were fighting." She sighs at the memory.
"I would just go out and sit on the roof. Look at the stars... Anyway, I kicked it one night. I heard my father coming upstairs, and I was in a hurry to get back inside, and... now... it doesn't close all of the way." A slow grin dawns on her features.
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Of any of us, Agan seems to have the deepest connection with her Incarnate. The reedy girl reports that, if she concentrates, she can inhabit his mind, seeing through his eyes and offering subtle suggestions. Teak appears baffled by this possibility.
We trial the break-in through the morning, Agan attempting to train Teak in sympathy without much success. Teak sits cross-legged on the dewy grass, eyes shut in fierce concentration as Tiva frolics, unaware. It is clear that Agan's patience is thinning, but she presses him regardless.
"Find him," he commands. "In your mind."
"I'm trying," Teak admits with exasperation before his focus is broken. He opens his eyes in search of a life raft. "Hey, do you think we could try this again after lunch. I think we'd both focus better, if we were full."
