The Final Strife

“Anoor.” Yona greeted her without ceremony. She didn’t care for formalities. Throughout her tenure, she’d been openly critical about the guild of truth and the power of the Abosom within it. “Your mother is still working?”

“Yes.” Anoor took a seat on the sofa next to her.

Anoor didn’t think her grandmother knew the truth about her blood, but Uka had said enough to cultivate disinterest in Yona for her granddaughter, and she never strove for a relationship with her, despite Anoor’s yearnings.

“I’ve been watching your progress,” Yona said. Yona’s accent was more guttural than the melodic tone of those born in Nar-Ruta. Anoor learned that she had traveled south to Nar-Ruta for the Aktibar when she was in her mid-twenties.

“Yes?” Anoor stopped her hand before she reached for a biscuit.

“You did well in aerofield.”

“Thank you.”

“And tactics, I heard you helped decide on the strategy.”

Anoor didn’t ask how she knew.

“And stealth? You have a plan to retrieve a weapon?”

“Yes.” Anoor hoped Sylah did.

“Uka has asked me to dissuade you from continuing.”

Anoor flinched.

“Oh, that surprises you?” Yona continued.

“I just thought—”

“Because you made it through two trials, you wouldn’t sully the Elsari name?” Her laugh was stiff. She ran a hand through the borrowed hair at her waist. “I happen to think the Aktibar is good for you. Of course, you won’t win. But I’ve seen you running in the mornings.” She sipped her coffee.

“Thank you.”

“Speak with purpose, girl.”

“Thank you, Grandmother. I will bring respect to the Elsari ancestors.”

Yona gave a mocking smile. “Of course.”

Anoor wasn’t sure whether it was the rush of the coffee or of the praise but the words seeped out of her and into the empty room. “Yona, why were we”—Anoor waved her hand as if to encompass the empire—“the only people to survive the Ending Fire?”

Yona sat up a little straighter. Or maybe Anoor imagined it.

“Are you not schooled in the story of the Ending Fire?”

“Yes.”

“Then why don’t you ask your masters? Or do I need to speak to the Warden of Knowledge about the quality of your schooling?”

“No, no.” Anoor spoke quickly, trying to de-escalate the situation. “I was just wondering if you have any more information. I…I had an assignment on it.”

“Who assigned it to you?” She leaned toward Anoor.

“No, I mean, I assigned it to myself. I was just doing some research on…on stealth, and the question just came up. In my mind. It came up in my mind.”

Yona looked at Anoor, her wrinkles pushed smooth. “I see. I didn’t realize the story of the Ending Fire was a deciding factor in how to get up a tower and retrieve a weapon.”

Anoor sank deeper into the sofa, cradling her mug.