Episode 130

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Published on:

12th Jun 2026

130. Raven Crown Chapters 53, 54 and 55

A murdered guardian. A stolen sapphire. A raven with opinions.

Brie must gather the Jewels of Tambor—learning courage, cunning, and a strength she never knew she possessed—all while braving a twisted foot, a lack of trust, and impossible odds. Meanwhile, Dogmar, known as Jackal, will do anything to claim the throne—until a stolen jewel begins to unravel everything she believes about strength and survival.

Transcript
ghia:

Chapter 53.

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Bree.

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As Jackal proclaims that I should take

the throne, I can hardly believe she's the

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same girl that snatched the peri a dough.

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Does she truly mean it?

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Am I to be queen?

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I look out at the crowd.

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Would they accept me?

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The look of disgust on the Nobilis

faces confirms my suspicion.

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They'll never allow a

filthy digger to be queen.

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I glance about, and my eyes fall on

Regenthorn's croaker, who is standing

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among the Nobilis in the gallery.

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Ever so slightly, she shakes her head,

as if to confirm it will never happen.

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I look back at the marabou

at the bottom of the column.

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They have stopped pushing on the

wooden spokes and gape up at me.

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I blink as I look down at them.

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From this vantage, I can see that

the platform they are standing on

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is a metal grate, not unlike the

grate that covers the sewer holes.

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And through the metal, I can see that

the marble column in the center of the

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ramwatt extends deep into the ground.

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I remember wondering about the boy's

words on my first day in Ultan.

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Poor folks did all the work on the new

roof, as well as the extra digging.

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I completely forgot about

his words until now.

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For the love of rats, I breathe.

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Regenthorn added the rod

pictured in the peddler's book.

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I knew the ramrot of

Ophion was an ampullus.

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It's all here.

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The domed roof, the

mosaic, the moon hollow.

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I just hadn't noticed that the

column went down into the earth.

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This isn't any ampullus.

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This is the last ampullus

in the peddler's book.

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the one with the skull drawn over the top.

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I assumed the authors wanted

more powerful jewels purely to

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make them stronger, perhaps for

spiritual or even monetary gain.

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But what if the goal was

completely different?

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What if by increasing the vibration of

any given gemstone, it would eventually

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fracture the crystalline formation,

destroying the stone's vibrational power?

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What if in reality the authors

were searching for a way to

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destroy the jewels of Tambour?

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Could that mean that the

peddler's book was written by

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ancient members of the Order?

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Has the Order been around that long?

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For the love of rats, it all makes sense.

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Of course they have.

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There's movement around me.

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The Nobilis are making

way for the Marabou.

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Three men in green robes

come up each set of stairs.

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I don't have much time, so I call

out the only thing I can think of.

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" Princess Aurania stole the jewels

from the crown to keep them safe

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from her husband, Lord Regenthorne."

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The Nobilis back further away, and

I know without looking that the

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Marabou are at the top of the stairs.

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If the whisper doesn't give me some kind

of inspiration soon, I'll be back in the

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dungeon before the Blood Moon is complete.

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There's a commotion on

the floor of the Ramwatt.

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I look around and see a dragon push his

way past the Marabou guarding the doors.

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I catch a flash of red hair beneath

his helm and know that despite my

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wishes, Gray has come to the coronation.

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He must have found a safe place for Vida.

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I admit it's good to know he's

here, though I won't forgive

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myself if anything happens to him.

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The Nobilis around me are now

pressed against the walls.

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The Marabou are closing in.

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I search for inspiration,

something, anything I can do.

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There's nothing, no bright ideas.

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My eyes scan the Ramwatt

and fall on Ragenthorne.

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He has charged down the column

stairs and is storming across the

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Ramwatt in my direction, clearly

relishing the idea that I'm

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about to be seized by the Marabou.

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The carriage is in his path, and

he slaps the butt of one of the

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horses to move it out of the way.

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The horse startles, and the

carriage lurches forward

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as the horses begin to run.

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The Marabou are almost on me.

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I've got to move, but where?

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Back through the door, or maybe...

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With a single look at

the carriage, I jump.

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My dress flutters around me as I drop.

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Jackal.

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By Ophion, I can hardly believe my eyes.

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Lost in swirling fabric, Bree

plummets towards the Ramwat floor.

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My insides clench in terror.

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This is it.

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Bree will be broken and smashed

to pieces before my eyes.

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But to my amazement, she lands on

the top of the racing carriage.

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A sooty black cloud billows

around her, then turns into a

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stream of what looks like tail

feathers as she rides the carriage.

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With the horses charging towards

the exit, the presiding Marabou

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yells, "Close the doors!"

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I watch as the Marabou and

the carriage race each other.

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For an interminable moment,

I'm not sure who will win.

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But the doors on both sides of

the Ramwat gain momentum and

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swing shut with a resounding thud.

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The coachman, unable to rein in

the horses, is forced to continue

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around the column another time.

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The animals are running wild.

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People fight to get out of the

way, but the carriage is going too

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fast and skitters in a wide arc.

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an elderly man doesn't move fast enough.

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The lead horse rears.

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Bree jumps free as the

carriage tips to its side.

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When I see her again, a

dragon has her in his arms.

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"No!"

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I yell.

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"Let her speak!"

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But instead of taking Bree into

custody, the dragon lifts her

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to his shoulder for all to see.

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To my amazement, I realize

the dragon is Gray.

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The horses are stamping wildly to free

themselves from the toppled carriage.

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Some members of the crowd

are pushing towards the small

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access door used by the marabou.

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Others watch Bree transfixed.

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the jewels in the crown are fake,

Bree calls over the commotion.

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She produces a scrap of cloth

from the folds of her dress

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and holds it in the air.

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I have the real jewels of Tambour.

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There's a murmur from the Nobilis.

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They all know that such an accusation

wouldn't be good for the keeper.

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How she got them out of the library,

I don't know, but it's true.

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I know it is.

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Could I expect anything

less from my sister?

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The presiding marabou yells for the dragon

holding Bree to silence her, but Gray

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continues to carry her on his shoulder.

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I look towards my father, surprised

he isn't yelling orders himself, But

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he pulls a pouch from his pocket

and dumps moonstones into his hand.

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He lets them fall through his

fingers as his eyes fix on Bree.

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He stares intently at

the fabric in her hand.

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His lips curl into a snarl

as he draws his sword.

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"Bree, he's coming," I yell.

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Bree.

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I'm about to show the Nobilis the

real jewels of Tambour when I

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see Ragenthorn heading our way.

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I squirm in Gray's arms.

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"Put me down."

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Gray lets me slide to the

floor and pushes me behind him.

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"Run," he commands.

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But I can't.

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I won't.

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Raganthorn will slaughter Gray.

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I whip Marzet's staff off my

shoulder and push the button.

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It extends to its full size.

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Raganthorn lunges.

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I spin and swing.

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The blow should knock Raganthorn

off his feet, but I miss.

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Is he that fast?

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Soot obscures my view, and I

don't know where he's gone.

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I dive to the side and see

him again just for an instant.

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He comes up like a viper.

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I fend off his blow, but

I'm forced to the ground.

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Soot wafts around me.

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He takes a step back.

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I swing low.

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The end of my staff comes in

contact with his leg, but he

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sidesteps and the blow is weak.

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Out of the corner of my eye, I

see Gray knocked to the ground

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as several marabou jump him.

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He fights, but is pinned to the floor.

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" Let him go," I yell in desperation.

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But there isn't time to do more.

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Raganthorn is advancing.

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I roll backward, gaining my

feet as Raganthorn comes at me.

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Left, right, left, I block his blows.

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With a twist, I swing, using all

my strength, driving my right

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hand high towards his head.

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I'm satisfied with the

crunch I feel on impact.

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Raganthorn staggers back

and drops to one knee.

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I'm ready to strike again, but with

a roar, he lurches to his feet.

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I can't believe he can recover so quickly.

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Blood drips from a gash in his head.

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His blade is high, driving

me down as he did before.

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Unexpectedly, he drops

to a knee and swings low.

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I spin my staff and stop the strike.

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To counter, I spin in

the opposite direction.

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I plan to come in high, driving

into the top of his shoulder, but

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his sword swings low again.

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I can't block from this position.

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Diving out of the way, I

hit the floor and roll.

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Jackal.

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My fear at seeing Bree fight my father

drives a few of the vines from my mind.

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It dawns on me that I can stop

this fight with a knife throw.

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Patting the small of my

back, I search for my blade.

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It isn't there.

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I drop to a knee to check my boots,

but I'm wearing jeweled slippers.

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A groan escapes my lips.

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I haven't been without a blade

since Since I was twelve.

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I look back at the scene

below, mesmerized in horror.

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She's beautiful, my sister.

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It's like watching Grimm swoop

through the air as she twists

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and turns, blocking every blow.

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There's no sign of pain in her

foot, though it must be throbbing.

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A black cloud swirls around her.

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Never before has it been so obvious

that my little sister is a raven.

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My father's face is a snarl of frustration

as he slices at the spot she just vacated.

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Then she falters, and my father dives in.

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I gasp as blood oozes from

a slice in Bree's side.

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Chapter 54 Bree

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Reganthorn's sword drives

straight for my heart.

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I jump out of the way and bring

my staff around for a strike.

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This time I think to growl.

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My blow is swift and hard.

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Reganthorn's ribs crack.

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I watch with relief as he

crumbles to the ramwat floor.

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Despite the pain I must have caused,

I expect him to rise quickly.

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Before I can see what he does,

I'm swarmed by a crowd of Nobilis.

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At first I don't know why.

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Then I realize that in the confusion

someone has bumped a torch.

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Several tapestries are ablaze.

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People are pushing and shoving

to get out of the ramwat.

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The massive doors are still closed, so

the Nobilis are trying to exit through the

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small access doors used by the Marabou.

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I look up to see only the faintest hint

of silver-white moon left in the sky.

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The presiding marabou is holding the

golden circlet over Jackal's head.

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She's about to be crowned.

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The Norwood is slipping

through my fingers.

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I'm failing.

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With a burst of speed, I scramble

through the crowd for the stairs.

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I've got to stop the

circlet from coming down.

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Mid-stride, I stumble to the ground,

pain surging through my foot.

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Jackal.

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I search desperately for

Bree in the swarming Nobilis.

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Then I spy her at the edge of the

platform surrounding the marble column.

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By the jewels, what is she doing?

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I squint and realize that her boot

is stuck in the metal grating.

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She's trapped.

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Forget the boot!

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Cut the laces!

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I call.

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By Ophion, I wish I had a blade.

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Out of habit, I pat the small of my back.

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As I do, I find my belt.

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The belt embossed with my father's seal.

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The one with a knife hidden in the buckle.

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With elation, I whip it off and shove

past the marabou, still holding the

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crown, to the edge of the column.

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Bree, I yell.

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She must hear me over the

din because she looks up.

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I fling the belt in her direction.

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Cut the laces, I call as it drops.

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The pathetic belt falls short

and lands with the buckle

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through a hole in the grate.

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It's slipping away.

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Grab it, I shout.

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She lunges, but strong hands pull me

away before I can see if she reaches it.

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I think it's the marabou, and I'm prepared

to teach him never to touch me again

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when I feel cold steel at my throat.

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Bree.

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I grapple for the belt and manage to

seize the end just before it slips away.

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With frantic jerking motions, I slice

the laces and pull my foot free.

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There is still a tumult of Nobilis

fighting to get out of the ramwant.

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I look up at the domed roof.

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Swirls of black smoke from the burning

tapestries billow out the Moon Hollow.

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And there's something else.

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Regenthorne is standing at the top of the

column with a blade at Jackal's throat.

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He sneers down at me.

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"Send the jewels up with the

Marabou or your sister dies."

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I know he'll do it.

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He'll kill Jackal.

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My eyes flick to the figure in

purple rushing down the stairs.

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Nobri, run!"

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Jackal yells.

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I could.

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I'm small enough to slip

through the Nobilis.

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With the fire and all the mayhem,

I could find a place to hide,

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maybe even get out of the city.

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But I don't.

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I can't.

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Not even to save the Norwood.

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Instead, I stare into Jackal's

eyes as I untie the scrap of

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cloth from the belt at my waist.

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Her eyes are a chasm of emotion.

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There's the usual snarling fury

she can call up so quickly.

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There is also the fear she showed

while running the swift water.

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But there is something else as well.

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Is it devotion?

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Is that why she locked me in the crypt?

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Was it the only way she could think

to keep me away from our father?

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Was she trying to be a

sister to keep me safe?

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Well, then she should

understand what I'm about to do.

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As the marabou approaches, I

hold out the scrap of fabric.

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"No!"

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Jackal yells as the marabou snatches

it and rushes back up the stairs.

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I want to crumple in on myself as

the jewels leave my hand, but I stand

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there knowing I deserve the pain.

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I've failed.

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Jackal will become Raganthorn's puppet.

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The Norwood will be destroyed, and the

path to the Whisper will be lost forever.

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But I saved my sister.

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As I watch the Marabou reaching the top

of the column, Raganthorn grabs the jewels

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and thrusts Jackal back on the throne.

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In a moment, the Marabou is holding

the crown over Jackal's head again.

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I follow his eyes up to the

last splinter of white moon.

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He pauses until the

opalescence disappears.

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The blood moon is complete.

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The sight is eerie.

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I can see the moon, but it's

shrouded in a rufous glow.

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The crystals inlaid in the domed roof

reflect the muted light, focusing

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it into a vermilion sphere that

hovers in the center of the Ramwatt.

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I snort with the realization

that I'm not to be queen.

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The Whisper must have a sense

of humor, and I was starting to

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believe that it was meant to be.

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I should have expected

as much from a Corvax.

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The Nobilis finally managed

to open the golden doors.

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The extra air fuels the

fire in the tapestries.

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Smoke swirls in the dome of the ramwatt.

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The light emanating through the moon

hollow gathers in intensity while

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the glowing sphere begins to stretch

down towards the top of the column.

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At the same time, the Marabou lowers

the circlet to Jackal's head and

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Raganthorn drops the jewels in her lap.

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As this happens, I remember

the skull drawn on the top

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of the last diagram again.

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alternative interpretation comes to me.

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Perhaps the ampulist

won't destroy the jewels.

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Perhaps it will destroy

whoever's holding them.

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My head clogs with fear as if all

sound has been sucked into a void.

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The Nobilis are shoving each other

out of the way in their panic to

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exit the Ramwatt, yelling at the

people in front of them to move.

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I can't hear a thing.

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Other Nobilis are pointing at

Jackal, their lips cheering for their

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new queen, but I catch no sound.

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The only utterance I

perceive are my own thoughts.

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You've killed your sister.

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Jackal.

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The light pierces my eyes as

the jewels land in my lap and

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the crown comes down on my head.

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At the same time, I'm enveloped

by a shaft of red brilliance.

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I strain under the power of

so much raw, glorious light.

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Looking down, I gape at the

sparkling whiteness of my dress

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and the glittering of my skin.

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It's amazing and wonderful.

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I'm a different person.

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No, the same person, but it's

as if the light shows who I

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really am, my true being.

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Moaning sounds from around my feet.

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I glance down and see the Marabou and

my father crumpled on the top of the

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column, their hands over their ears, their

faces scrunched into knots of anguish.

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I know it's too much for them.

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The shaft of light is amplifying

the power of the jewels.

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They can't take the pure goodness.

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I realize that if Bree hadn't forced

me to hold them, forced me to

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get to know their power, the light

would have overwhelmed me as well.

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As it is, I'm beginning to quiver.

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Reaching down from my seat on the marble

throne, I grab the crystal bowl that the

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marabou used for the cleansing ritual.

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Quickly, I drop the stones inside.

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Then I stand and lift the bowl overhead.

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When I see that my dress is no longer

white, I look up, expecting all the

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light to be shining into the bowl.

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the shaft is beaming

down on the ramwat floor.

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afraid of the light than the fire.

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Turning ever so slightly, I move the

shaft Turning ever so slightly, I move

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the shaft until I see Bree, still standing

by herself at the edge of the platform.

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Bree.

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Before the light reaches

me, I feel it coming.

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I'm not scared, but my

inclination is to shrink away.

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When it consumes me, it's as if I've

been wrapped in a warm, soothing balm.

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The pain in my foot subsides.

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The slash from Raganthorn's

sword loses its sting.

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The disappointment at giving

up the Norwood melts away.

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I stand, reveling in the light.

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I would say my dress is

white, but it radiates every

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color of the rainbow as well.

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I laugh and spin around,

my arms outstretched.

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This is amazing.

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I'm still enthralled when I

feel the flutter of wings.

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Then talons grip my shoulder.

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I smile gleefully at Grim.

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Did you know it would be so good?

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The bird's feathers are black.

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His essence hasn't changed, but he

radiates glorious, brilliant light.

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It's perfect.

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Everything is perfect.

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Jackal.

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As I watch Bree, I can't help

the pleasure that consumes me.

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When she spins, there

isn't the slightest wobble.

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She's perfect and whole.

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Her face glows with light.

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She looks like a queen or a

priestess, or both together.

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What's that word my father likes to use?

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Corvax Corona?

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Yes, that's it.

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She's a Corvax Corona.

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Without warning, there's a

sharp pain in my upper arm.

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It takes me a moment to register

that a throwing star has

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pierced the fabric of my dress.

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I look around and see my father's new

croaker on the balcony across from me.

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There's a malicious smile on her face.

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She waves her ink-stained fingers as I

feel the poison sear through my body.

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Bree.

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With a whoosh of air, Grim is blown

off my shoulder and the light is gone.

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My white dress disappears, and the

pain in my body drives me to the floor.

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I feel wetness and realize I'm

losing blood from the slash

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in my side, a lot of blood.

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At the same moment, I hear the crash

of the crystal bowl as it smashes

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on the stone floor of the Ramwatt.

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The jewels of Tambour scatter.

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hits me.

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Where's Jackal?

398

:

I see her just visible

at the top of the stairs.

399

:

Her arm is draped across her face.

400

:

She isn't moving.

401

:

No!

402

:

I try to stand, but I

don't have the strength.

403

:

Instead, I drag myself across the

platform, leaving a trail black

404

:

robes of Regenthorn's croaker.

405

:

It isn't until she stands that

I realize what she's doing.

406

:

In her hand is a black velvet pouch.

407

:

In her hand is a black velvet pouch.

408

:

She drops in a jewel.

409

:

The pouch is full.

410

:

She has them all.

411

:

When she looks up, our eyes meet.

412

:

With a triumphant smile, she

413

:

and disappears into the smoke.

414

:

I feel the familiar ripping

at my soul as she leaves.

415

:

I've lost the jewels again.

416

:

Loneliness consumes me, and

I can't move for some time.

417

:

dwindles and I've gained some

control, I realize that while

418

:

I've lost the physical stones, the

vibrations are still in my heart.

419

:

This gives me the strength to continue

crawling up the steps towards Jackal.

420

:

She's got to be all right.

421

:

Tell me I didn't lose

the jewels for nothing.

422

:

While most of the smoke from the

burning tapestries is escaping

423

:

through the moon hollow, some

of it is pooling under the dome.

424

:

It becomes so thick at the top of

the column that when I reach Jackal,

425

:

all I can do is grab her under the

shoulders and drag her down the stairs.

426

:

Her weight sends me toppling.

427

:

I pull again and again.

428

:

At the bottom of the column, I've lost

so much blood that it's as if I'm looking

429

:

at Jackal through a thick black fog.

430

:

Darkness is closing in around me.

431

:

"Jackal," I whisper, my heart twisting.

432

:

She doesn't respond.

433

:

I shake her by the shoulders

and call loudly, "Wake up!"

434

:

She doesn't move.

435

:

Looking past the glowing red orb

of the moon towards the heavens,

436

:

I plead, "Please help her."

437

:

With one hand, I clasp an imaginary

fist of stones to my chest.

438

:

Words come unbidden to my lips.

439

:

I've fostered Vida's faith

and Nona's knowledge.

440

:

I've learned of my own worth and essence.

441

:

I've gained confidence and integrity.

442

:

I stifle a sob.

443

:

I've made choices and

paid the consequences.

444

:

I've opened my heart and

strengthened my character.

445

:

I've used my talents for good.

446

:

A shudder racks my body and my head spins.

447

:

I know my lifeblood is draining away.

448

:

"I've done my best to learn the

lessons of the jewels," I whisper.

449

:

"What else can I do?"

450

:

Just as there's nothing else to

say, I feel the rise of Jackal's

451

:

chest as she draws a breath.

452

:

Then I'm enveloped in darkness.

453

:

Chapter fifty-five, Bree.

454

:

When I wake, there's a fire in

the jeweled hearth, and soft

455

:

blankets are tucked around me.

456

:

Grim is perched on my bed.

457

:

He looks at me for a moment

before returning to his preening.

458

:

Jackal is seated at a small

writing desk that wasn't in the

459

:

room the last time I was here.

460

:

She looks up when I sigh.

461

:

"About time," she says, her eyes shining.

462

:

I sit up, but wince.

463

:

"Don't move, lug head.

464

:

Your wound hasn't healed."

465

:

"What happened?"

466

:

I mumble.

467

:

apparently you dragged me down the

stairs of the column, then passed out."

468

:

"Oh," I say as it comes back.

469

:

"Where's Gray?"

470

:

Jackal motions towards the door.

471

:

"He's out pacing the hall.

472

:

His fidgeting was driving me

crazy, so I sent him away.

473

:

Here, drink this."

474

:

Jackal sits on the edge of the

bed and raises a steaming bowl

475

:

of savory broth to my lips.

476

:

it soothes my spirit as well

as my body as it goes down.

477

:

" I never took you for a healer," I say.

478

:

"I'm not.

479

:

Vida sent it up."

480

:

"Vida?"

481

:

I say, surprised.

482

:

"Yeah.

483

:

With Zipporah's help, she's got every

maid in the castle doing her bidding.

484

:

She has even been mother-henning me."

485

:

I close my eyes and let myself sink deeper

into the soft, downy pillow under my head.

486

:

"How long have I been asleep?"

487

:

"A week."

488

:

My eyes pop open.

489

:

"What?"

490

:

"Your wound got infected.

491

:

You've been mad with fever.

492

:

Vida was worried you wouldn't

make it, but I knew the Corvax

493

:

in you would pull through.

494

:

I snort, but even that causes pain.

495

:

" How is it being queen?"

496

:

I ask without holding her gaze.

497

:

"Has Ragan Thorn got you sending a

crew of diggers to the Norwood yet?"

498

:

Jackal puts a hand on

the back of her neck.

499

:

"No, there's something wrong with him.

500

:

I mean, seriously wrong."

501

:

I frown.

502

:

"What are you talking about?"

503

:

"It could just be the smoke he inhaled

during the coronation, but I think

504

:

it was the goodness of the jewels.

505

:

Amplified by the light,

it was too much for him."

506

:

Jackal leans forward.

507

:

"He won't leave his rooms.

508

:

If a servant tries to open the

curtains or light even more than

509

:

a single candle, he shrieks.

510

:

But he's better than the presiding

Marabou, who hasn't opened his eyes

511

:

or moved since the coronation."

512

:

I'm shocked.

513

:

"Do you think either

of them will recover?"

514

:

The Marabou?

515

:

Doesn't seem likely.

516

:

He's getting weaker by the day."

517

:

Jackal shrugs.

518

:

"And our father?

519

:

It's hard to say.

520

:

I have guards at his door.

521

:

If he tries to come out, I'll be notified.

522

:

Until then, well, he's helpless."

523

:

I think of the skull drawn over

the last ampullus in the peddler's

524

:

book It was a warning all right.

525

:

It foretold of too much goodness.

526

:

I suppose that's why the

whisper is so soft and quiet.

527

:

Given full voice, who

could bear to hear it?

528

:

I glance at Jackal.

529

:

And how are you?

530

:

Jackal shrugs.

531

:

Fine, as far as I can tell.

532

:

It took me a few days to recover from

the poison, but that's nothing unusual.

533

:

My problem is, there's a

flash of anger in her eyes.

534

:

Some of the Nobilis are

challenging my right to the throne.

535

:

They say the coronation isn't legitimate.

536

:

Others are supporting me.

537

:

So far, I'm holding my title.

538

:

trying to decide what else to say.

539

:

Tell me, I demand.

540

:

Our father wasn't the only Nobilis

under the power of the Order.

541

:

It's impossible to know who I can trust.

542

:

Bree, I need the jewels.

543

:

I can't do this without the

full power of the Whisper.

544

:

I feel my face pale.

545

:

The Croaker took them, I say.

546

:

I know.

547

:

You told us while you were

burning up with fever.

548

:

I've got every dragon in the country

looking for her, but she hasn't turned up.

549

:

Did I tell you she belongs to the Order?

550

:

Jackal gives me a hard look.

551

:

How do you know?

552

:

"I overheard her talking

to someone in the castle.

553

:

I'm convinced it was order business."

554

:

Jackal rubs a hand over her face.

555

:

"That's it then.

556

:

The order has the jewels.

557

:

I'm doomed."

558

:

"No, you're not."

559

:

I look at Jackal earnestly.

560

:

" Nona said the gems have a way of

being where they're supposed to be.

561

:

You'll just have to hold on to

the vibration of the jewels in

562

:

your heart until we get them back.

563

:

I'm confident you'll be a good queen."

564

:

" It should be you," Jackal says.

565

:

I snort and wince.

566

:

"We both know that isn't true."

567

:

But Bree, I saw you under the light.

568

:

You were beautiful and

radiant like a goddess.

569

:

It wasn't an apparition.

570

:

That's who you are, a

being of infinite worth."

571

:

At her words, the memory of standing

in the shaft of light comes back to

572

:

me, and I feel a warm glow in my heart.

573

:

Nona thought I could be queen.

574

:

Could she see that image of me?

575

:

but that doesn't change the

fact that Jackal is much

576

:

better prepared for the job.

577

:

"I may have been beautiful," I say, "but

you were regal, and it was just as real."

578

:

Jackal shakes her head.

579

:

"But you're the Corvex.

580

:

you are better suited to

communicate with the whisper.

581

:

I'd happily give up the

crown if you would take it."

582

:

She goes silent, and I can see

by the look in her eyes that she

583

:

means what she says But the idea

sends a spike of panic through me.

584

:

Nona may have wanted me to be

queen, but the reality is I'd

585

:

rather be free to roam the Norwood.

586

:

You're the right choice.

587

:

The Nobilis will listen to you.

588

:

Jackal rubs her face.

589

:

I'm not so sure.

590

:

Three days ago, I sent out a

very unpopular proclamation.

591

:

She looks at me.

592

:

I disbanded the Marabou and

made worship of the Hesperian

593

:

Tambors national religion.

594

:

My mouth drops open and I blink at her.

595

:

What?

596

:

Jackal demands.

597

:

I had to do it.

598

:

Disbanding the Marabou, maybe, I say.

599

:

But Nona taught me that the whisper

shouldn't be forced on anyone.

600

:

Jackal's nostrils flare.

601

:

See, I'm making mistakes already.

602

:

Change it, I say.

603

:

Jackal looks annoyed.

604

:

It might not be that easy.

605

:

She gets to her feet

and walks to her desk.

606

:

There's another development that

might interest you, she says.

607

:

The vine all around Ultan is dying.

608

:

She grins.

609

:

We both know what that means.

610

:

With a queen on the throne who

can feel the whisper, goodness is

611

:

growing in Tambor, killing the vine.

612

:

There's relief in Jackal's

face, and I know she hopes to

613

:

be free of the vine forever.

614

:

I wonder what effect the

missing jewels will have.

615

:

Jackal can recall the vibrations for

now, but what if she begins to forget?

616

:

Will the vine spring back?

617

:

Before I can comment, the door cracks

open and Gray pokes in his head.

618

:

His locks of red hair have been freshly

washed and stick out around his head.

619

:

When he sees me, his face

lights up with his usual grin.

620

:

Then he frowns at Jackal.

621

:

You said you would tell

me as soon as she woke up

622

:

ghia: Jackal looks exasperated.

623

:

"She just barely opened her eyes."

624

:

Gray strides in and sits

beside me on the bed.

625

:

After a slight hesitation,

he takes my hand.

626

:

I'm embarrassed to remember how I

kissed him in the library, how he

627

:

told me he believed I could be queen.

628

:

Nona was wrong," I mumble.

629

:

"I'm not meant to hold the throne."

630

:

Gray beams down on me.

631

:

"That doesn't bother me,"

he says, squeezing my hand.

632

:

"I suppose she'll always be your queen."

633

:

Jackal simpers.

634

:

Gray continues to grin.

635

:

I turn my face away, knowing I can't

trust him when he looks like that.

636

:

Then I feel warm breath on my neck,

and it becomes hard to breathe.

637

:

Raven.

638

:

Gray whispers in my ear, " One

day you'll be my queen.

639

:

Have patience."

640

:

I'm tempted to snort.

641

:

Me?

642

:

Patient?

643

:

Instead, I lie very still and enjoy

the tickle of Gray's scruff on my cheek.

644

:

Maybe, just maybe, this raven

will learn how to trust.

645

:

Later, I wake to find myself alone.

646

:

It's dark outside, and

the castle is quiet.

647

:

Despite the pain in my side, I slip

out of bed and wobble across the floor.

648

:

There I collapse on a

cushioned bench by the window.

649

:

The leaded glass is cold as

I lean my head against it.

650

:

Beyond my own reflection, I

can see an opalescent trail in

651

:

the sea made by the half-moon.

652

:

Stars glitter around the edges of the sky.

653

:

The sight makes me yearn to

be free of the confines of the

654

:

castle and this dragon city.

655

:

I want to ramble unbound in the Norwood.

656

:

I sigh with relief as I

remember that my home is safe.

657

:

Jackal won't send diggers

to burn the forest.

658

:

Shifting my gaze out over the

city, I can see the Tawari and the

659

:

light of a fire where I'm certain

Weathers is playing his fiddle.

660

:

As I breathe in slow, even breaths,

it's almost as if I can feel

661

:

the river running through me.

662

:

The Tawari that I have come

to love is part of me now.

663

:

I long to join the Banjara on their

trek back to the upper reaches of the

664

:

river and make the wild ride again.

665

:

But what of the Norwood?

666

:

Wouldn't I rather go home?

667

:

I suppose.

668

:

Yet something niggles

at the back of my mind.

669

:

Tambour won't be safe until

the order is destroyed.

670

:

I wonder what I can do to

ensure that it happens.

671

:

Go on the search for the jewels again?

672

:

Or would my time be better served

searching out Maddox and working with him?

673

:

Either way, my heart

gives a little thrill.

674

:

What new places might I

learn to love along the way?

675

:

Fremont knew I would thrive in

the world beyond the Norwood.

676

:

He gently tried to persuade me,

But I refused to believe him.

677

:

And Nona?

678

:

She didn't try to persuade me of anything.

679

:

She simply told me I was going.

680

:

Oh, my Nona.

681

:

Where is she now?

682

:

Malta said she would become a goddess.

683

:

Did he mean a Corvax Corona?

684

:

I look at the radiant moon.

685

:

Is Nona there within its glow?

686

:

I shake my head.

687

:

My Nona is out at the fringes of the

universe, where she can be wild and free.

688

:

I smile at the stars glittering

beyond the light of the moon.

689

:

Yes, my Nona is out there, surrounded

by countless sparkling jewels.

690

:

Epilogue.

691

:

The Croaker travels for two days

before stopping at a small village.

692

:

Not wanting watchful eyes, she

sits at a table outside the eatery.

693

:

After the serving girl has delivered

her food, the Croaker slips the

694

:

pouch from her cloak pocket.

695

:

The stones have been weighing on her

mind, and she finds being in their

696

:

presence more difficult than she expected.

697

:

She loosens the string and holds

each stone up to the light.

698

:

admiring its beauty.

699

:

disgusted by her actions, she

returns the stones to the pouch

700

:

and leaves them on the table as

far away from her as she dares.

701

:

Hungrily, she digs into the

roasted chicken with a dagger.

702

:

She is lifting the first bite

to her mouth when there is

703

:

an unexpected whoosh of wind.

704

:

She falls backwards in surprise just

as a raven snatches the pouch off

705

:

the table and flies into the forest.

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About the Podcast

Creative Spiritual Journey
one small, deliberate step at a time
We are all on a journey—a journey home to our heavenly parents. Any experienced traveler knows there are days you laugh and days you cry.

We aren’t here to tell you how to live—we are here to share how we live—how we survive, thrive, and even find joy!

The journey gets messy with rainstorms and sleepless flights but the hard times—the miserable times—those make the best stories.

And the vistas, the sunsets, the little birds outside the window—those are the reminders that God is in the details, he is aware of us, he has trod the path before.

The Creative Spiritual Journey Podcast is hosted by Judy and Ghia Cooley—two sisters in their wisdom years—who love the savior and are dedicated to making this journey one small, deliberate step at a time.

Join us!

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Ghia Cooley