Chapter 7

Sunday, 23 Enlanym, 1007 KR In the Shadowrealm, all was an oppressive bleakness, a black depression on the land where the dead walked. Lona could feel the same, here.

Danday, 24 Enlanym, 1007 KR It was no wonder so many at the Stop despaired, Lona thought. The flow of shadow was strong here, the tide high. And death was present.

Losday, 25 Enlanym, 1007 KR These people suffered needlessly, Lona knew. She knew the power of the Queens Land. The presence of death. She had to rid the Stop of the taint. Rid it of the spirit that lingered.

Brenday, 26 Enlanym, 1007 KR After Ceph had closed and gone to bed, Lona lingered in the alley off Candle Street. She scratched at the scars on her upper arm, waited, and watched.

~ Byrday, 27 Enlanym, 1007 KR It seemed no one found the Stop unless they were meant to. So Ceph rarely bothered to lock the small back door into the kitchen. Lona found it easily.

~ Lorday, 28 Enlanym, 1007 KR I know youre here, Lona said, into the darkness. I know you can hear me. So know this: Im coming for you.

~ Uunday, 29 Enlanym, 1007 KR Rye shrank back into the shadows, as if it would help hide him. What did she want with him?

Sunday, 30 Enlanym, 1007 KR

Rye watched Ceph prepping the bar again, as every day. For once he was worried for himself, worried that somehow Lona would find him. But he couldnt tell Ceph. Couldnt burden him any more.

Danday, 1 Draconym, 1007 KR The Stop had become lonelier in the summer, like Tom and Nael had given it life. Even the regulars were thinner. But summer was waning, and the long nights would bring them back. ~ Losday, 2 Draconym, 1007 KR You ever wonder if maybe youre Death? Trin said. Ceph blinked. What? Maybe thats why everyone around you dies! No. ~ Brenday, 3 Draconym, 1007 KR Think any more about my Ceph-as-Death theory? Trin grinned. Its ludicrous. It would totally make sense. You dont think its intentional, but youre harvesting the souls around you. People come here when theyre ready to die because of you. ~ Byrday, 4 Draconym, 1007 KR Heres why your theory is wrong, Ceph said. Im always here. People die elsewhere. Maybe youre just one of many manifestations, Trin said. No. It isnt my doing.

Lorday, 5 Draconym, 1007 KR Youre not Death, thats ludicrous, Rye said. Thats what I said, but... Youre not responsible for the deaths around you. Arent I?

Uunday, 6 Draconym, 1007 KR Did they come here to die because of him? Hed been unable to save so many, no matter how he tried. It almost made sense. Was he an angel of death?

Sunday, 7 Draconym, 1007 KR Gods, Ceph, you take yourself too seriously, Trin said, laughter in her eyes. You really think youre an angel? How arrogant can you get? But she saw the hurt and confusion in his face, and softened. Im sorry.

Danday, 8 Draconym, 1007 KR

Shadows stretched long in late summer, but none so long as the shadow over the Stop. Outside, people were lazy in the heavy heat; inside, hearts were heavier still.

Losday, 9 Draconym, 1007 KR Youre not still upset about my Death theory, are you? Trin said. Move on, Ceph, thats my policy. Whats on tap?

~ Brenday, 10 Draconym, 1007 KR Sometimes I just feel like it is my fault, Ceph said. Somehow my presence... I couldnt save them, Trin. You got yourself a hero complex, Ceph. Is it not our responsibility to do what we can? I failed that.

~ Byrday, 11 Draconym, 1007 KR How old were you when your parents died? Trin asked. And my brother. You have a brother? Had.

~ Lorday, 12 Draconym, 1007 KR You never answered my question last night. How old were you? Three. And you really think you could have saved them?

Uunday, 13 Draconym, 1007 KR You know what your problem is? Trin said, smiling. Crabs? Ceph deadpanned. She laughed. Gods, I hope not. No, you take too much responsibility for yourself. Live a little! ...You hope not? She stuck her tongue out at him.

~ Sunday, 14 Draconym, 1007 KR What was your brothers name? Trin asked. Aiken. I miss him. Course you do. Thats normal. ...Ive never been called normal before.

~ Danday, 15 Draconym, 1007 KR Thats your problem. You arent really so unusual, but thinking you are is stopping you from letting yourself be normal. Except apparently I have a lot of problems. Ah, we all do.

Losday, 16 Draconym, 1007 KR What brings you to Theore, anyway? Ceph asked. He wasnt prying, he told himself, he was just making conversation. School! Trin said. Going to Torgoth. Had to get out of Icepeak.

Brenday, 17 Draconym, 1007 KR Whyd you leave Icepeak? Trin glanced at him before answering. Ah, had to get out of the city. Ive heard its beautiful. Gorgeous. But nothing interesting happens, yknow?

Byrday, 18 Draconym, 1007 KR Youre supposed to be happy for friends who have maybe found someone. And Rye tried.

~ Lorday, 19 Draconym, 1007 KR Im scared, Rye. If I get too close to her, what if she dies, too? I think you have to try, Ceph. How hard it was, to speak those words. To give support to that which hurts most.

~ Uunday, 20 Draconym, 1007 KR Rye had always known it was an impossible dream, especially after hed died. But somehow seeing Ceph and Trin flirt made it all the more real. Forced him to see that Ceph had never wanted him.

~ Sunday, 21 Draconym, 1007 KR It was too late for Rye, now. He was deadhe would never find someone who loved him. And he was stuck here to confront that. Oblivion would be easier.

Danday, 22 Draconym, 1007 KR

As night drew on, Lona stared into the shadows of the bar, scratching absently at the scars on her arm as she repeated the Soulbind Oath to herself. As she reminded herself of what she had lost. She had lived in the Shadowrealm, where the dead walk. She had seen the evil they did, the twisted forms they took when they were not allowed to pass to the Queen's Land in the West. She would have her revenge against them all.