Page 32 of Oracle's Reign
Twelve
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Peroen had toreturn to his studio for his portrait session with Odela, and so Yslie found herself joining Sophenie in her rooms.
Yslie gestured at the book Sophenie drew from her pocket. “What did you take?”
“An account of the Shapeshifter Uprising of 347. Not the book I would have picked if I hadn’t had to hide it, but it’s still interesting.”
Yslie removed the journal from her pocket, grinning at the way Odela’s eyes widened. “I found a journal written by Emperor Daitano the First.”
“You stole a book from the archives?”
“You didn’t see that possibility?”
“I did, but I thought it unlikely to happen.”
Yslie opened the book, noticing once again how the pages stuck. “The first two pages are joined together. Any idea how to pry them apart safely?”
“Let me see.”
Yslie handed over the book, and Sophenie studied the pages. She tested the edges with her fingernail. She frowned. “It’s too thick. I’m not sure we can separate them without damage. I think they were glued together, and there is something in between.”
Yslie took the book back and realized Sophenie was right. “I’m going to force them apart.”
Still trying to be gentle, Yslie worked her nail between the edges of the pages and wiggled. She went up and down, causing ancient paper to crack and crumble. It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done. Within minutes, she pried a folded sheet of paper out from between the two pages. She unfolded it with even more care.
Seeing how Sophenie practically vibrated with excitement, she set it on the table between them so they could both read.
The oracles assure me that, one day, this note will be found and the words in my journal will be heard. Not soon enough, in my opinion. Too much damage will already be done based on the visions they see. Yet, I respect what my advisors tell me—if this note was found any earlier, my words would be burned without having a chance to make a difference. So, if you are reading this, then know that my story is not only for you, but for the empire. Let the lessons I learned the hard way save Pynth once more. This time without further bloodshed.
Emperor Daitano Tjawer
Yslie didn’t know what to say for long moments after she finished reading the note. Finally, she picked up the journal and held it out toward Sophenie. “Maybe you should read this. You are the one with experience reading histories and learning from them.”
The other oracle shook her head.
“You don’t want to?”
“I do, but some futures can’t be avoided. Daitano said his advisors saw someone finding this note. They had to look hundreds of years into the future, Yslie. You know what that means. I don’t think it is chance that you found his journal. You were the one meant to.” Sophenie pushed the book back toward Yslie. “Though I would be honored to get a chance to read it once you are done.”
“Of course,” Yslie said absently. She stared at the book. Had an oracle really seen it in her hands hundreds of years ago? Oracles whose powers could look so far into the future were rare. Those who saw anything more than a jumble of millions upon millions of possible futures, even rarer. When an oracle could discern a path that far out, it was no longer a possibility, but a prophecy.
Yslie swallowed, opened the book, and read.
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Peroen had thesense that he had reached one of those moments that defined the direction his life would take. After a frustrating portrait session with Odela—she knew he was working against her and wasn’t about to betray any of her plans—he found Sophenie and Yslie both waiting for him.
“We have to go talk to Pianti and Qilar,” Yslie insisted. She brandished a small book at him, telling him she had found it in the archives and it had the answer they needed. Then she refused to say anything else. She wanted to get it out all at once.
That Sophenie insisted on joining them when they went to Pianti and Qilar’s home only drove home how important the journal—whatever it was—must be.
Now Yslie stood in front of all of them, the journal clutched against her chest, a bit of ribbon hanging over the cover from where it marked a particular page. In her other hand, she held a yellowed sheet of paper. She handed the paper to Peroen. “Ifound Emperor Daitano the First’s journal, and it has everything we need to oust Envaho from the throne.”
Peroen read the page, then passed it to Pianti and Qilar.
Yslie quivered as she waited for everyone to finish.
