Chapter 648: Change in Politics
Following my conversation with Gathrin, I returned to my room to rest. Sleep wasn’t easy, torturing me with dark visions of bloodshed and death, but the heavy burden of Korra’s death had lifted. When next I awoke it was morning again, but Elise and R’lissea were nowhere to be found.
The next few days passed slowly, bleeding one into the other. Every morning, I awoke and stumbled downstairs, half asleep, hoping to see one of my friends waiting by the fire. But every day, Rivlitt merely shook his head and sat me down, bringing me something to eat. Once, he even offered to brush my hair, which I quickly declined. It would be too embarrassing to have a man touch my hair like that...even if he was a remnant.
With nothing else to do, I spent all my time in the library, studying runes and reading through the eighth-circle tome Emlica gave me. It would likely be weeks before I could attempt casting even the first circle, so I focused on memorizing the runes and casting sequence. Considering how vulnerable I would be before and after casting it, relying on a chant could prove a critical weakness.
On the fifth morning following Elise and R’lissea’s absence, I stumbled downstairs, yawning and bleary-eyed.
"Good morning, Xiviyah," Rivlitt said.
I yawned again, rubbing my eyes. "Morning. Are they here?"
"Why don’t you have a seat? I’ll find you something warm to drink."
He laid a hand on my shoulder, guiding me into a seat. His cool, translucent flesh sent chills down my back, driving the morning haze from my mind. The door eased open, and I turned, eyes lighting up as R’lissea strode in.
"Xiviyah!" Her face lit up with a bright smile.
I jumped up and ran over to her, forgetting my shaky legs and throwing my arms around her. R’lissea’s eyes widened slightly, and she took a stabilizing step back as I threw my arms around her.
"Welcome back, Life Hero. You’re here earlier than I expected. Did you find Fate?"