Page 58 of Sunsplitter

“I don’t expect to be invited home again anytime soon.”

“Don’t say that, Antal. With his Pilgrimage coming up? He’ll have you back, I’d bet my right antler on it.”

A shudder shot up Antal’s spine.

“His… Pilgrimage?”

“He’s been talking about it more,” Syvr said. “Planning. Soon, I think.”

Antal’s cold fiercened, creeping into the Void-spun marrow of his bones.

History said that, after Veshri’s death, he’d held his energy intact within the Void, traveling the Shattered Planes for centuries before discovering how to weave a new body. Even now, no daeyari knew where to find Veshri, his path wandering Void and Planes alike.

The Pilgrimage was a tradition expected of all daeyari, at the end of their first millennium. A journey to venture as far as possible across the Shattered Planes, to discover new worlds and, if deemed worthy, intersect Veshri’s path.

Avroz was early in his ninth century, notunheardof for Pilgrimage, but still uncommon. Far sooner than Antal had expected.

Syvr’s tail flicked. “Has he… not spoken to you about it?”

“No. He hasn’t.”

It hit Antal like claws in his gut. Like bone chipped against his teeth. How in the depthless Void had he not thought of this? So focused on immediate dangers—Verne’s coup, rebuilding Thomaskweld—he’d set aside this older, looming threat.

The Pilgrimage was part tradition, part population control for a species that didn’t die of age. Daeyari almost never returnedfrom their journey, some choosing to end their lives in honored combat against aedari upon the Contested Planes, others vanishing to unknown reaches of the Planeverse. A part of Antal should feel relief, the prospect of his fatherfaraway.

But Avroz would have to relinquish his seat on the Daey Celva.

All he’d ever wanted was for Antal to succeed him on the council.

On the meeting floor, all but one pillow had filled. Miro, a daeyari of over a thousand, had retired recently, gone on his own Pilgrimage. Antal had received the message months ago, a notice to all territory lords that a new council member would be elected soon. He’d thought nothing of it. He’d assumed Avroz’s Pilgrimage was still decades,a centuryoff.

But Avroz wouldn’t have to gamble giving up his own seat first, if there was an open spot already. He wouldn’t risk waiting for another vacancy when his Pilgrimage was close. He could nominate Antal, vote while he still held influence, retire after the job was finished.

Fuck.Fuck.

His father hadn’t called Antal back for a lecture. Avroz truly meant tobring him home.

“What’s wrong?” Syvr asked.

“Nothing.” Antal’s claws scraped his thighs.

Syvr’s eyes narrowed, studying him too closely.

“We will begin,” announced a voice from the meeting floor below.

Antal exhaled in relief, spared Syvr’s scrutiny when Qirza stood from her pillow.

At her command, the amphitheater silenced. As packed as Antal had ever seen it, the gallery filled with red eyes and antlers. He forced his father’s Pilgrimage aside, a later problem,his focus needed for this meeting that could decide the fate of his territory.

Qirza appraised her assembly with head high, shawls draped like quicksilver off her shoulders.

“The Daey Celva has gathered to discuss suspicions of an aedari upon the Season-Locked Planes.” Silence in the audience. “Our initial investigations suggest these suspicions to be true.” A ripple at that, hushed voices and growls. “Tonight, we will discuss what information has been gathered and agree on a plan forward.” She resumed her seat, cross-legged on the cushion. “I open the floor. Rel bids for first speech.”

The scowling daeyari sat with hand raised. At Qirza’s permission, he stood. “The evidence is undeniable. I visited one of the sites on the Spring Plane, smelled the aedari energy. This isunacceptable, so close to the Twilit Plane. The creature must be found and—”

“Thank you, Rel,” Qirza interrupted smoothly. “We will hear all information first, then decide on action. Who will speak next?”

Clawed hands raised all around the circle.