(1)
Kell stayed in bed until her bladder forcibly dragged her to the lavatory. When she stumbled back to the bed, she found a tray of bread and cheese sitting on the nightstand. Kell attacked it, shoving the food in her face as quickly as she could. There was a cup of cold tea sitting next to the tray that she downed as well.
Satisfied, Kell sat on the bed. She felt grimy. Her body was covered in dry sweat and she hadn't had a proper bath since they'd boarded Balaki's Dagger. Slowly stretching, Kell felt her joints and back slowly pop back into place.
"Sarah, you back yet?" Kell asked aloud.
No response.
Shrugging, Kell tried her communication marking. "Can anyone hear me?"
A moment later, Karyn's voice came through. "Are you awake?" Her voice sounded soft and muffled, as if she was speaking into her hand. "I'll bring up coffee."
"Appreciate it. Any word from the others."
"No, I'll be up in a minute."
Kell stood up and paced around the room, tsking at the mess. Their clothes were scattered all over the place. Karyn's charm-making supplies were laid out on the only table in the room and an incense burner sat next to the window. Kell gave it a quick sniff. Mild lavender, something soft and gentle that didn't bother Kell's sinuses.
"Well at least her choice of incense has improved."
The lock turned on the door and Karyn entered, carrying a pair of steaming mugs. Kell cleared a spot on the table and Karyn kicked the door shut as voices echoed in from the hallway. Once Karyn had set down the mugs, Kell wrapped her up in a hug.
"Welcome back," said Karyn, wrapping her arms around Kell. "You were asleep for two days."
"Wow, that's a new record. No wonder I'm so hungry."
"You've actually been eating. I brought up food a couple of times and every time you would wake up, stuff yourself, and immediately fall back asleep."
"Huh, I don't remember any of that. Oh well, I'm up now. Did I miss anything?"
Karyn shook her head. "Nothing really. I went down to the library but I didn't know what I was looking for and I can't read High Uhlaran as well as you or Nul."
"Yeah, we may be stuck until Nul shows up. I don't know what sort of information they're looking for."
Kell took a seat and sipped her coffee. Her stomach growled, still wanting more solid food.
"What do we do now?" asked Karyn.
"We start with breakfast, I'm still starving."
"It's afternoon, most people are already finishing lunch."
"Fine by me. Where are my clothes?"
"What, don't like wandering around naked?"
Kell rolled her eyes. "I have no problem with being naked, as you well know, but I'd rather not have someone burst through the door and see these." She gestured to the focus markings covering her from neck to ankle.
Karyn passed Kell a bundle of clean and pressed clothes. "Your clothes are right here, I cleaned them for you."
"You're the best."
"Yes I am, and don't you forget it. Go have a bath then we'll head down for food."
Kell went to the lavatory where a small basin waited for her. Stepping in, she found some knobs that unleashed a spray of water from overhead. The water was cold and crips, making Kell shiver. She endured it as the water slowly warmed, trying to remember the last time she'd been in a bath like this.
In King's City, showers and baths were normally fed by one of the myriad hot springs in the surrounding mountains. Those that didn't typically had focus markings and fairy rock contraptions that would heat the water before it came out of the spout. The only time you took a cold shower in King's City was when you wanted to.
After scrubbing away the layer of grime, Kell went back into the room and started laying out her clothes. Karyn laid on the bed, watching her.
"I'm surprised Nul didn't give you more etchings."
"They try to keep my designs balanced and focused. I'm not as good at using multiple designs as they are. Besides, almost every part of me has an etching."
"Not there," said Karyn, pointing at Kell's butt.
"Who puts an etching on their butt?"
Karyn raised an eyebrow at her.
"Right, nevermind."
Once dressed, the pair headed back down to the main room. Karyn went to the bar to order food while Kell sat down at a small table in the corner. She settled in with her back to the wall and waited for Karyn to come back.
The place was mostly empty except for a few patrons scattered about. There was a pair of gentlemen huddled together at the bar whispering to each other, an elderly couple sitting next to a fireplace holding hands, and a man in a suit sat in the corner opposite Kell. He regarded her as she regarded him.
"Everything okay?" asked Karyn, joining her at the table.
"We have an admirer."
"The guy in the suit hiding in the corner?"
Kell nodded.
"He's been here every time I've passed through the bar. He's looking for someone."
"You think he's looking for us?"
"I don't know, I tried to strike up a conversation with him but he didn't seem interested."
Kell grunted. She didn't have any weapons on her and the bar was empty of any traditional weaponry. The chairs were sturdy and would make do in a pinch but kell would have preferred something metal and sharp. Too bad everything had gone over the cliff with Roran.
"How are our supplies?"
"We're burning through our coin quickly."
Kell nodded. "We didn't have much to begin with, not since we left most of it with our supplies and divvied up the rest."
"We have enough to stay here for a little while longer but we should plan our next move."
"I want to give Sarah a chance to find us before we start moving around. Let's spend today in the library and figure out a plan tomorrow. I'm too tired to strategize, that's supposed to be Roran's job anyway."
The innkeeper arrived with a couple plates of food. He set them down with a nod to Karyn then retreated, ignoring Kell entirely. Kell stuck her tongue out at his retreating back.
"Aren't you supposed to be older than me?" asked Karyn.
Kell shrugged. "Probably."
The innkeeper headed towards the man in the suit and bent down to whisper in his ear. They both glanced back at Kell. Kell feigned ignorance, making a point of not looking at them. The man stood up and headed outside, glancing at Kell on the way out.
"Everything okay?" Karyn asked again.
"Maybe. We might have trouble. The man in the suit is really interested in me."
"Any idea why?"
Kell shook her head.
"You don't think they saw us come in off the ship do you?"
"No, we would have been arrested if they'd seen that. I don't think we're in that kind of danger. Still, it's odd."
While Kell ate, Karyn pulled out a deck of tarot cards. As she laid the cards out in front of her, she asked, "You want to go back to the library?"
Kell nodded. "We can look for information on Phalyn and see if we can find the entrance to her tomb."
"What if we can't find what we're looking for?"
"Then we can take a day to relax. If memory serves, the library is open to the public. We can spend the entire day there, pursuing the books and enjoying the place." Kell flashed her a grin. "You can cozy up on my lap while I read you poems in High Uhlaran."
Karyn made a show of ignoring Kell despite the flush creeping up her neck. Focusing on her tarot cards, Karyn said, "What about the others?"
"We give them time. We've got a couple more weeks. No need to rush."
Kell glanced up back behind Karyn. The man in the suit was back. He'd brought a young woman with him. He whispered something to her and gestured towards Kell and Karyn.
Following Kell's gaze, Karyn glanced over her shoulder. She frowned, staring at the woman. She wore an elegant dress, complete with a corset, petticoats, and tall boots that disappeared under her skirts. She had gentle feminine curves and was average height, which put her a few inches taller than Kell. What Kell noticed most of all was her sandy blond hair—braided up in a bun—and the delicate angles of her face. There was something painfully familiar about them.
The woman approached their table, the man close behind her. She looked apprehensive, afraid almost. Her eyes were locked onto Kell.
In a trembling voice, she asked, "Are...are you Kellsinora?"
"Who's asking?"
"Kell," said Karyn, "be nice, she looks frightened."
Sighing, Kell said, "Yes, that's my name. I go by Kell these days."
The woman took in a shuddering breath. "And you used to live here?"
"I was born in the Upper Rim, yes. But that was a long time ago. Haven't been back since I was a small child."
Her eyes wide, the woman turned back to the man in the suit. "See Perri, I told you it was her!" The man grunted but the lady ignored him. "I can't believe you're here. Is Aunt Gyllian here too?"
Kell bolted to her feet. She rounded on the woman. "How do you know that name? Who are you?"
The man, Perri, tried to intercept but Kell tossed him aside like a ragdoll. He crashed into a table and tumbled to the floor.
The woman backed away, her eyes wide. "I...I...I..."
Kell grabbed the front of her dress and hoisted her into the air with ease. "How do you know that name?" She shouted, spittle flying from her lips. "Who are you!"
Terrified and struggling against Kell's grasp, the woman yelled, "I'm your sister!"
(2)
Karyn latched onto Kell's arm. "Kell, let her go."
The woman slipped out of her grasp and landed with a thump. Kell stumbled backwards and fell into her chair. She buried her face in her hands. Her body felt hot and cold at the same time. She was suffocating. Despite taking deep breaths she couldn't get enough air into her lungs. The room began to spin. It was too cramped in here, too tight. Kell needed to escape but her legs wouldn't work.
Karyn fussed over the woman. "I'm so sorry. You can't say that name around her, it brings back bad memories. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, thank you. Is she okay?"
Karyn gently touched Kell's shoulder. "Are you alright love?"
Kell didn't respond, she kept her face in her hands, trying to parse out her thoughts. She focused on her boots, focusing on each and every detail. The color of the laces, the worn spots in the leather, the fraying of the seams. Slowly, the world came back into focus.
When the intense claustrophobia passed, Kell nodded. She could breathe again. Slowly, memories began snapping together like puzzle pieces. They had always been there but only now did they form a coherent picture in her mind.
"Darlinea," Kell said softly. "You're Darling."
The woman nodded. "Yes, I'm your sister. Harriet saw you at the library the other day."
Kell shuddered again, more memories snapping into place. "Our old tutor. I didn't recognize her. She thought I was you."
Darling nodded. She took a seat opposite from Kell. "She told me someone bearing a striking family resemblance to myself had been in the library, looking at your name on the Wall of Accolades. I had Perri ask around and Mr. Tarvish, the innkeeper, told me that you were staying here, but that you hadn't come out of your room in days. I asked Perri to wait and keep an eye out for you."
Kell leaned back in her chair, taking deep breaths. She couldn't recall the last time she'd had a panic attack. Grabbing the nearest mug, she took a sip to wet her lips.
Perri straightened himself and stood by Darling's side, glaring at Kell. "I still have my doubts," he said, his voice tight and disdainful. "This person is ragged and uncouth, nothing like the Kellsinora of old."
"Oh shut up Perriwinkle," said Kell. "I have never once cared what you thought of me."
Perri's jaw dropped and his eyes went wide with a look of horror.
Darling had the opposite reaction, her eyes lit up and a smile crossed her face. "It is her!"
"Yeah, it's me," said Kell, her voice weary. "Though I wish it wasn't. Look, I'm sorry I startled you. Like Karyn said, that name brings up bad memories for me."
"May I ask, if Aunt Gy...If she's not here, is she..."
"Dead," said Kell.
"I see. I'm sorry to hear that."
"I'm not," muttered Kell. Clearing her throat she added. "Was there something you needed?"
"N..no. I just wanted to see you again. When Harriet told me that she'd seen you, I thought you would want to see us again."
Kell shrugged. "I hadn't given it much thought. I didn't come here for a family reunion, I came here with this one," she gestured at Karyn. "She's a priestess on a pilgrimage. I'm her bodyguard."
Perri scoffed. "You're a bodyguard?"
"I handled your ass just fine."
"Kell!"
"Sorry dear."
Darling smiled at them. "It sounds like a lot has happened. Why don't you come home and tell us all about it."
Kell shook her head and stared at the table. "I'd rather not," she said.
"What? But why not? It's been so long, and the way you were taken away...I thought I'd never see you again. Don't you want to come home?"
Softening, Kell said, "Darling, it's been over a decade. After I was taken away, I had to fight to survive. I became a different person. By the time I was in control of my fate again, I had a new life, one I'm not willing to let go of. This place isn't my home anymore."
"But we're your family."
"No, you're not. You're my relatives. We're connected by blood, nothing more. And I learned a long time ago that blood doesn't mean anything at all. I have a new family now, a new life. I'm sorry but your sister is dead."
Darling covered her mouth and lowered her head. Kell winced, feeling bad that she'd made Darling cry. Karyn was on the verge of tears herself just from watching the spectacle.
Feeling miserable, Kell rose to her feet. "Come on Karyn, we've got work to do."
Silently, Karyn collected her tarot cards and rose to her feet.
As Kell walked by Darling, she gently touched her shoulder. "I'm sorry, really I am, but this is for the best. Mourn your sister and move on."
Darling didn't say anything, instead she cried quietly into a handkerchief.
Kell and Karyn headed out onto the street. The sun was up but the sky was overcast and hazy, leaving the city dim. Karyn grabbed Kell's arm as they walked, squeezing it gently.
"Was that really okay?"
"I'm sure it will be fine. The table didn't break and Perri was always a bit of an ass."
"I meant leaving your sister like that."
Kell paused. "I don't know. It didn't feel good, that's for sure. I didn't expect to run into her. Honestly, I didn't expect to run into anyone I knew. It's been a long time since I was here."
"You don't want to see your old family again?"
Kell shook her head. "And what, bring them trouble? Don't forget that we're not here to make friends. It's best for everyone involved if we go our separate ways. Besides, I have a new family now." Kell wrapped her arm around Karyn, pulling her close. She pressed a kiss to Karyn's forehead. "And this one's more than I could ask for."
Karyn snuggled in close to Kell. "I love you too, but I'm still worried. She looked ecstatic when she realized she'd found you again, and then you left."
"I'm sure she'll be fine. If she's the same Darling I remember, she'll bounce back in no time."
The two made it to the library and headed inside. Kell scanned the main floor but didn't see any sign of Harriet. Once more heading to the back wall, Kell began scanning it again, this time looking for a different name.
"There she is." Kell pointed out another name etched into the bronze. "Darlinea. Hah, she passed two years later than me." Kell continued looking through the lists of accolades. She found the name again. "And this is when she passed her secondary exams. Oh, and these are the advanced exams. It looks like she specialized in Language and History."
Kell smiled at the wall, slowly bringing back memories of her little sister. "You know, she used to look up to me, always following me around and wanting to be like me. We would study and play games together every day. It was really quite sweet. Darling is such a fitting name for her."
"So you're the older sister?" asked Karyn.
"By a couple years, yeah."
"But, she's so much taller than you."
"Oi!"
(3)
While Karyn perused the library for any books related to focus markings, Kell wandered through the history section, looking for mentions of Phalyn. It didn't take long for her to find a rich history of the Spear Maiden. She was a warrior of high regard, so much so that she had made it into the annals of myth and legend. The more Kell read, the more it seemed like Phalyn was an Uhlaran folk tale. Even her tomb was described as a monument to lost soldiers that never made it home, with her as nothing more than inspiration for a statue.
It didn't make sense that one of their greatest heroes would be fictionalized in history. Sarah herself had confirmed Phalyn's existence and, according to Roran, Sarah had memories from centuries past. If anyone could confirm the Remnant's existence, it was her.
Frustrated, Kell collected a handful of books on the topic and went to find Karyn. Karyn had managed to tuck herself into a little nook next to a window. She had a small stack of books sitting on a table next to her and was curled up with a large tome on her lap.
"Find anything interesting?" asked Kell.
"Yes, actually. Uhlarans use focus markings."
"Really?"
Karyn nodded and turned the book so Kell could see. The page showed designs for small, compact focus markings.
"They're small and archaic, but they do work. These are what Nul would call closed loops, made for small tasks."
"Like the ones we carve into objects and buildings?"
Karyn nodded. "Except these are so basic that you couldn't power them with fairy rock. Honestly they're so simple I doubt they can do much more than provide a little boost to strength and endurance."
"Couldn't they add a bunch of them together to boost the effect?"
"No, they would interfere with each other. At best they would fail and do nothing, at worst they would burn out. Most modern designs are made to work as part of a system and even then they need to be carefully woven together. It takes Nul a lot more effort than you realize to make your etchings work."
"Hey, I listen to their lectures, I just don't remember any of them."
"Weren't you supposed to be bright for your age?"
"I'm still bright, I just invest my intellect into things that interest me, like spear-play and combat."
"I can't argue with you there. Any luck on finding information about the remnant?"
"Some, it almost seems like she's a folktale rather than an ancient hero. She's supposed to be enshrined in a memorial for lost soldiers but it's closed to the public. I might try sneaking into it tomorrow or the next day."
"I wonder why they fictionalized her. Maybe they exaggerated her achievements until she was unbelievable."
"I don't think so, everything I've read about her is in the realm of possibility."
"The realm of possibility for Uhlaran Soldiers, or for you?"
Kell hesitated. "Could an Uhlaran soldier drag three wounded soldiers up a mountain for two days and two nights in the middle of a blizzard?"
"No."
"Ah..."
"Remember, you're not normal here. Even back home you're practically a legend. Just because you can perform superhuman feats doesn't mean everyone else can."
"It's not my fault I'm so amazing."
Karyn just rolled her eyes again and Kell settled into a cozy chair next to her. She set one of the books up on her lap and skimmed through it while her other hand found Karyn's. Karyn squeezed her hand and they sat quietly together, skimming through their books.
Kell felt a sense of peace as she sat there, next to the window with snow gently falling outside. Karyn laced their fingers together and Kell slid her leg over so their boots were just barely touching.
As they read, Karyn would occasionally ask Kell for help translating a bit of High Uhlaran, and Kell would lean in until their shoulders touched and softly speak the translation into her ear. Karyn would nod her understanding and settle back into the chair to continue reading while Kell lingered for a moment longer, enjoying the closeness. Sitting in that library with her lover, Kell felt a sense of quiet contentment she wished would last forever.
When she ran out of books to read, Kell let her head fall back in the chair and closed her eyes, dozing off as Karyn continued with her studies. She startled awake when Karyn tapped her thigh.
"Company," she said.
Kell sat up, blinking the weariness out of her eyes. Approaching them was the tutor from the day before. She had a stern look on her face that was focused on Kell.
Rising to her feet, Kell said, "Harriet, I didn't recognize you before."
"You recognize me now?"
"Only because Darling pointed it out. I'm surprised you recognized me at all."
Harriet sniffed. "As if I would forget one of my brightest students. Besides, you've hardly grown at all."
"Oi!"
Turning away from Kell, Harriet looked at Karyn. "I'm sorry dear, we haven't been introduced. I'm Harriet Von Leston, I'm the Chief Tutor here."
"I'm Karyn, a Talyrian Priestess. Your library is lovely."
"Why thank you, child. That's very kind of you to say. At least one of you has manners."
"Oi!"
"It's not her fault," said Karyn. "With her profession, she hasn't had many good role models."
"Not you too..."
"Is there something you need from us?" asked Karyn.
"Darling asked me to come find you. She wishes to talk to Kellsinora again."
Kell winced. "Please don't call me that. It's Kell now. Just Kell."
Harriet pursed her lips but didn't argue. Instead she said, "If you'll please come with me."
"We already talked to Darling. Keeping our distance is for the best."
"And what gives you the right to make that decision?" asked Harriet. "After you were kidnapped and the ransom fell apart, your family mourned you for years. Your poor sister never got over it. She kept insisting that you were still alive and would come home one day. Now you're here and breaking her heart all over again."
"Part of me did die," said Kell softly. "You said I hardly grew at all, but you can see it can't you? I've changed, I'm not the person I used to be."
"People always change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. That doesn't mean you should abandon your past entirely. I'm not asking you to give up your new life and move back home. I'm simply asking you to talk to your sister. After everything, don't you think she deserves that much?"
Kell groaned. "I forgot how much of a pain in the ass you were."
Harriet gasped at Kell's crass comment and Karyn flicked her forehead. "Kell, behave!"
"Yes dear, sorry dear."
"At least you have one good role model," said Harriet. "Now please, just come talk to your sister."
Giving in, Kell followed Harriet through the library and back towards the entrance. Karyn grabbed Kell's arm and gave it a squeeze. Darling was waiting for them at the entrance along with Perri.
Darling perked up the moment she saw Kell. "There you are! I'm so glad you came."
"Didn't have much of a choice. So, what's up?"
"Well, I know you're here with the Priestess, and I thought you could stay with us for the duration of her pilgrimage. That way you can save money and you'll eat better food, not that Mr. Tarvish doesn't make fine food, but it would be better accommodations at no expense to you."
"I see what you're doing," said Kell.
"Please, it's the best bait I have to offer."
"If you're on a pilgrimage," began Perri, "Then shouldn't your Priestess decide where you stay?"
Inching behind Kell, Karyn said, "I let Kell decide these things."
Sighing, Kell gave her sister a sad smile. "Darling, listen, I know this is hard for you. I know you want a big happy reunion, but-"
The entrance to the library burst open and a woman waltzed through the doors, startling the guards and letting a gust of icy wind blow in. She was well dressed in purple fineries that matched Darling's own. A handmaid followed after her, shutting the doors and apologizing to the guards on the woman's behalf. The woman had sandy hair with streaks of gray pinned up in a bun and wore a tired scowl.
"Darlinea, it has been long enough. I know what you think you saw but this is getting ridiculous."
Kell froze, her eyes going wide. "Oh no."
"I know it's hard to accept," the woman went on, "But you can't harass strangers in the library. Let's go home..." She trailed off as she caught sight of Kell. Her look changed from one of severity to one of disbelief.
Darling stepped slightly back, giving the woman an unobstructed view of Kell. "See?"
Kell swallowed, unable to move or speak. A chill ran down her spine and her palms started sweating. She felt like she was back in the Crucible for the first time, like a child in over her head.
The woman grabbed Kell's shoulders, squeezing them. "Kellsinora?"
In a small voice, Kell said, "Mom?"