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"But it says--"

"It says, ‘He could not knohat awaited at the gate of the enehter, into the realm of sorcery’ I know it too well, Belén It’s been hanging over my head for more than a year Ahter? A or disappear like rind the now-dead cinder into the dirt with my boot "But it doesn’t ht I must make o to Invierne"

Hector’s face is resigned, and I know he understands, even if the others don’t "Because their source of power is dying"

I nod at hi Destroy it utterly, the way I destroyed the gate to the zafira"

"We have a civil war brewing!" Mara says "Going to Invierne would give Conde Eduardo even more time to shore up support What about the people we left behind? Tristán, Lucio, Rosario"

I wince She’s not wrong Prolonging our journey is a huge risk It will put so er

"The prince should be safe," Hector says "He’s too valuable"

God, I hope he’s right

Belén adds, "If the gate is dying, why not just let it die? Mara is right We have a civil war to worry about"

I lock gazes with Storain before their power source is gone Right, Storm?"

"Yes I did not realize it until now, but yes" Storm clutches the amulet beneath his cloak It has becoertips always seek led to build support for another onslaught; we lost so , our crops will begin to wither soon Ouran aro now," I say "And we destroy the gate before they can build another are, so perfect "We have what Invierne wants--knowledge of another power source If we succeed, if we survive, I will use their ensuing desperation to bargain for peace"

PART II

17

WE crouch on the lip of a high cliff overlooking Uest city I’ve ever seen Steep ind through warrens of stone cottages and stepped gardens, spired temples rise froe of every tiny plateau The entire city catches the sunlight, sparkling brilliantly, as if it is lass shards

Fro all over theto the front gate routes a steady strea to watch My own capital city could fit inside this one three or four tiht--the Inviernos outnu the base of the city on three sides is a twisting ater river The eastern curve stea tendrils of h above it and far away--though not far enough to suit ers of glowing orange lava Storm calls the mountains the Eyes of God, and he assures us they are safe, that they’ve been sending the earth’s fiery blood into the river for erous place for a nation’s capital," I observe

"It’s a place of power," Storave them better access to the zafira"

"And do they?"

"It’s a cause of great debate a the scholars of my people"

Hector frowns "I don’t like this at all The only way in is through the front gate"

"I have not seen a more perfect defensive architecture," I ade to this place I suppose they could be starved out over time, but the mountain slopes are too bare to sneak up unseen, too steep and dangerous to navigate at night

Belén says, "Storm, are you sure there is not a secret way inside?"

"If there is, I do not know of it But it is as I said I can get help Just like the citizens of Joya d’Arena, we are a fractured, quarreling people And my family, once they understand you are on a ain advantage over the other nine houses"

Mara says "We know nothing of your farew up near the border, and all I know of Inviernos is bloodshed and cruelty and rage and" Her voice trails off as tears fill her eyes

"And h We’ve been arguing about this nonstop for several days I can’t put off er

Stor for her They surely sensed the e called on the zafira to deal with Franco’s ic could only come from a bearer"

"You’re worried about an assassination attempt," Hector says "Even if she arrives in an official capacity"

"Exactly so Letback help We’ll hide you in a cart, sle you in We could paint your skin Your features do have an Invierno cast, you know, even though you are short and stubby"

I glare at him

"I can pass for an Invierno," Mula says cheerfully "I just have to coveron the end of a dry stalk

Hector says, "I hate to say it, but--"

"It’s our only plan," I finish, and he nods grimly

Storht"

I reach up and grab his hand "You’re sure they won’t kill you on sight? There’s a death sentence on your head!"

"I can reach nized They’ll delay turning e of the zafira They will help us"

I squeeze his hand, and he shifts uncomfortably "You are my loyal subject, Storm Which ure out a way to coet you We don’t leave our people behind"