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Julii military and aid ships were the first to descend on Olympia three days later when Fá and the Obsidians left it in a heap of rubble and corpses Even my camp’s destruction couldn’t prepare s before in all ht the stench wason the steps of the high city, cradling Ephraiether, but his body fell apart when she stood up I will never forget the look on her face It has chiseled away the stone ofa wound of empathy I haven’t the ken to mend
There were no witnesses to tell us what happened to that dooed out We found hi at the crows that came too close to a body covered with a cape Pax and Electra knew the mad Obsidian, and the body he protected
He somehow fled the Sol Guard ere to take him back to a medical shuttle, and disappeared into the dead city, never to be found Pax couldn’t say who killed Ephraim, but we knoho killed Sefi and sacked the city The same monster who attacked the Pandora
Volsung Fá
The name is like a curse to us A curse that deepens the ht mean for Mars What city will they sack next? Could the Republic survive the man who took down Julii, Sefi, Valdir, and the Valkyrie in just teeks?
I fear Volga’s name will soon be added to that list
She wants revenge for Ephraih eance on Harmony is sated, I feel no more whole What peace will I find if even that cannot mend me?
I did not like Ephraia I sa she looked at Victra The slow smiles when Victra would fire a particularly clever insult her way Her eyes focus on the dark water as she prays under her breath to the Allmother for Victra to return She loves far too easily
But her prayers are answered
Six hours after Victra set out, she returns Her dress was lost in the sea Her legs fail her as she stust us by the fire She ignores Pax’s offer of his cloak and sits naked until finally taking Electra’s riding cape When her teeth stop their chattering, she looks around at us
“One bill is paid Debts are due” She looks at Electra and Pax “I swore a life oath to both of you the first time I saw you I renew that oath here and now” Her eyes flick to a “To you two, I swear it for the first time Let your enemies be my enemies Let your errors be my errors Let your life be my life I do not tell lies If ever you call, House Barca will answer”
“Me too, for you,” Volga says
“I agree,” I say
Pax leans forward “Technically you’re to say, ‘You are never in my debt,’ and she will say—” Electra hits hiob