Chapter 137-138 — Book 2: Epilogues 1 & 2
Epilogue 1 - Guard & Whisper
Some time after the raid is cleared, everyone gathers. Almost everyone, anyway. Bimar and Miktik are missing—according to Guard, Miktik needs emergency medical attention, and he's sent one of his proxies with them to make sure they stay safe. Part of me wants to go after them and make sure they're safe, but...
There's still She-Who-Whispers to think about. Now that the raid is over, she's a threat again.
Truth is, I'm not sure what to make of her now. She stands in front of us with her hands folded behind her back, wearing a serene smile and acting like she isn't in the company of a man she's tortured and controlled. Like there aren't rebels fighting against her regime gathered in front of her.
I'm not the only one confused by her presence, either. He-Who-Guards, Thys, Thaht, Tarin, Vahrkos and Wander all regard her with suspicion. Evidently, her actions to save them weren't enough to inspire much trust, and I can't say I blame them.
"Such anger." She-Who-Whispers speaks first when no one takes the opportunity to say anything. She chuckles. "Surely I deserve a little more credit? I played along with your little game, didn't I?"
"This wasn't a game," I say. On my shoulder, Ahkelios crosses his arms, nodding in agreement.
Whisper tilts her head slightly, staring at me, and something in her expression seems to settle. "No, I suppose it wasn't," she agrees coolly. "My city would be gone without you. But then again, without you, it wouldn't have been at risk in the first place."
"If the Integrators were willing to sacrifice Isthanok, it would've been at risk eventually anyway," I say. I have no intention of taking the blame for the actions of the Integrators.