Page 72 of The Last Remaining Light

I know I am writing variations of that sentence, but it remains true. Your absence is felt here in odd ways. Like apparently the observatory roof leaks near the western stairwell? We found this out the hard way because apparently you were the only person reminding the Sisters it needed repairs before storms arrived.

Also, I added a few shards to your crystal cabinet. I am not going to tell you which ones and watch you try to figure it out when you come back.

You know, sometimes I try imagining you standing within those enormous observatories you describe. Walking those impossible bridges. Arguing with scholars twice your age until they reluctantly realize you are correct.

You were always meant to end up somewhere great enough to challenge you properly. There are moments lately where I still instinctively turn to tell you something before remembering you are standing somewhere beneath entirely different stars now.

Well, I suppose they are not actually different stars. Just farther north.

Anyway, I should end this before the courier leaves without the letter entirely. I cut it too close last time.

Lora sounds chaotic in a way I suspect is probably good for you, even if she does encourage habits like “social interaction.” But maybe that would be good for you, too. I am glad you've her as a friend.

Write soon.

And for the love of the Gods, stay off unstable bridges during storms.

Always yours,

Caelyn

Chapter Fourteen

“Fear taught civilization how to survive. It also taught civilization whom to sacrifice.”

— Fragment recovered from a Vigil tribunal record, 412 A.V.

Hearthmere, 750 A.V.

The bells of Veylspire sounded different during rain; storms seemed to wake an orchestra of music.

Wind swept through the metal bridges and crystalline towers until the entire city seemed to sing beneath the sky while observatory bells ricocheted between the mountains in clear, haunting tones. Rain struck astrylite-lined spires in silver sheets that shimmered with reflected resonance light, and every gust carried the low thrumming hum of the Spire through the dark.

Tonight, that strange celestial music followed Elowynn across the covered upper bridges while shimmering curtains of rain pelted along the crystal ceilings.

“You walk… too fast… when you’re… upset,” Lora informed her, panting out breaths. Her petite legs had been working overtime to keep up with Elowynn’s longer strides.

“I am not upset,” Elowynn countered, her tone saying otherwise.

“You’re carrying…three books… against your chest like you intend…” Lora inhaled deeply, trying to catch her breath. “...like you intend to defend yourself with them!” she forced out between exhales.

Elowynn adjusted her grip, pulling them closer. “That symposium lasted nearly four bells.”

“And yet… you still found the energy… to verbally dismantle Senior Archivist Taland. Stars, woman! Would you slow the bloody bells down?!” she gasped before sprinting a bit to catch up beside her.

Elowynn stopped so suddenly her silver robes flared around her legs. She waited for Lora to catch her breath before arching a brow. “He dismantled himself.”

Lora huffed out a breathless laugh before she started laughing harder. Several passing scholars glanced toward them to see what was going on, but they ended up snapping their gazes away as soon as they saw Elowynn standing there.

That had begun happening more often: people looking at her before turning away so they didn't get caught staring. They didn't look at her in the curious detached way they once had when she first arrived from the abbey. No. This had become recognition.

Whispers traveled through observatory halls like fire in a dry forest.

Especially after tonight. The memory still sat hot beneath her ribs.

“It contradicts itself,” Elowynn had insisted before half the symposium chamber. “If the harmonic pressure shifts northward, the resonance would stabilize here.” She had pointed toward the stabilization sigil woven beside the convergence glyph. “It would not collapse.”

Then she demonstrated it with her resonance manipulation.