The Core (The Demon Cycle, #5)

by Peter V. Brett

Elona moved to follow, but pulled up as Erny held her back. She glared at him, but like Wonda Cutter, Leesha’s father was always on her side.

Wonda stood stiff as any new father, terrified she might squeeze the child too hard and crush it. She looked down at the tiny olive-skinned face, and Leesha knew the young woman would die to keep the baby safe.

‘Everyone’s got perfect vision—’ ‘—when they’re looking back,’ Leesha finished.

‘If anyone other than me ever tries to perform surgery on this child, you are to shoot them,’ Leesha said.

It was strange, how sharing pain could sometimes do what good times could not.

‘Gared needs a clerk that’s not afraid of him.’ ‘I don’t know where you’ll find such a man, this side of Arlen Bales,’ Arther said.

And somewhere along the way, he had become like a brother to her. He was a woodbrained oaf even now, but he was a good man, and she loved him still. Leesha reached out, taking Gared’s and Rosal’s hands in hers. ‘I am truly happy for the two of you.’

‘Wouldn’t surprise me,’ Ragen said, though he hadn’t dared believe it himself. ‘Boy’s too stubborn to die.’

If any man deserved a bit of happiness in his life, it was Arlen Bales.

‘Gettin’ tired of folk who ent ever bled for the Hollow marchin’ in and expecting us to bow and scrape,’ Gared said.

Patterns began to emerge, telling Briar much about Stela. Her reach, how she moved, the language of her body. Useful to know if he ever needed to fight her.

‘You are my daughter,’ Manvah said. ‘I would love you if you put out the sun.’

But as fast as she was, Wonda Cutter was faster.

Guildmaster Ragen raised Arlen Bales. If he can’t be trusted, we might as well give up hope.’

Count Thamos, for all his bluster, had been a good man, and those were ever in short supply. His death did the world no favour.

Arlen had looked into thousands of auras, but few were as pure and uncomplicated as Wonda Cutter’s.

Wonda pursed her lips. ‘Know what it’s like, Stel. I do. But my da used to say, “Sorry’s only halfway to makin’ things right.”’

Concern showed in the Par’chin’s aura, and it was touching. Twice now, Jardir had tried to kill him, and still his greenland brother fretted for his well-being.

‘Mercy should never be cause for regret,’

‘Know yur rich, when you have a room just for sittin’,’

‘I met young Mr Bales last year,’ Araine said, ‘before all that business with the demon of the desert. He was shorter than the tales tell, but he seemed a good boy. Idealistic, perhaps, but the young always wear that well.’

Control was what kept folk alive when others went to the pyre.

‘Had every right to carry a grudge,’ Jeph said. ‘Ay, maybe, but grudges never made anyone a better man,’ Arlen said.

‘So it’s true,’ Malcum said. ‘You Hollowers believe Arlen Bales is the Deliverer?’ ‘Mr Bales always denied it, but what else could he be?’ ‘A good man,’ Ragen said. ‘Trying to do right by the world and rid us of demonkind.’

‘For he shall be marked upon his bare flesh, and the demons will not abide the sight, and they shall flee terrified before him.’

Captain Qeran terrified Briar, on the lake and off. If a more dangerous man existed, Briar did not know of him.

The herb was bitter, but so were many things in life.

But I have watched you all your life, son of Hoshkamin. If you cannot bear the weight of Sharak Ka, then it cannot be borne.’

The Par’chin blew out a breath. ‘Ent ever been one to stand by when trouble comes callin’.’

Proud like a mountain,

Leesha blinked. Gared Cutter had been a woodbrained boy, but Baron Cutter surprised her anew every day.

‘Lacked.’ Erny’s voice hardened. He easily tolerated personal condescension – a lifetime with Elona had burned that from him – but never about his work.

We have a blood debt. I could have collected today, but I kill only alagai.

Tresha looked down her nose. ‘Don’t make me regret naming you my heir, girl. It’s always the moment for politics, times of trouble most of all.’

‘Of course not,’ Araine said. ‘I’m trying to compliment you, girl, if you’ll stop interrupting long enough to let me.

‘You’ve done better than I ever could have, girl. You should be proud. My city is lost – perhaps forever. I don’t want your throne, for myself or Melny’s child, but I can help you here, if you’ll let me.’

The Par’chin looked at him a long time. ‘Glad we’re friends, ’cause sometimes you scare the piss out of me.’

‘To serve Shar’Dama Ka, who will deliver us from Nie,’ Shanjat said. ‘To protect my daughter, greater than any son.’

There are times a leader must remain firm, even when they are in the wrong.

‘A father’s fear for his children does not fade when they grow, Par’chin.’

‘I’m not sure I can save her in any event,’ Anet said. ‘Trying is all a Gatherer ever has.’

They were losing, and the world would lose with them.

‘Ent losin’ anything,’ Arlen said. ‘Core’ll draw you back down when it’s your time, and I’ll be waitin’. Till then, need you to love our son for two.’

‘Of course.’ Jardir reached out, gently stroking the sandy hair from the sleeping child’s face. ‘But I pray that path intersects with mine, from time to time. I would see your child grow, and grant you any boon within my power, now or decades hence.’

Abban raised his cup. ‘To the son of Jeph, a hard negotiatior who never once tried to cheat me.’

Abban filled the cups again, and Ragen lifted his. ‘To Arlen Bales, who was as much a son to me as any of blood.’