The Path of Giants

I talked this through with my father, who also had discussions with the king. If a trap could’ve been set, it would’ve been done already.” Her face held anger as she looked at me. “Nobody wants revenge more than I do, but the last thing I want is you getting yourself killed because of this.”
“Does that mean you will come back to the castle with me?” I asked.
She had a breath. “Yes. I have just now decided. My mother has assured me that Father had prepared her for his passing. She can handle his affairs on her own, at least for a time.”
My heart lifted. “So you will continue to fight with me?”
“I will, unless my mother needs me. But she might, Jon. I have to warn you as I will the king when I speak with him about this. I might be needed in more ways than just my sorcery. I’m a Yorn with a certain understanding about how things work. Do you know what I mean? It’s important to me that not only you do, but the rest of the sorcerers do as well.”
“Of course, Kat. I and the others will understand if you have to return here, I’m sure. But I want you to remember that many of us have lost a parent. It was what led us to be recruited in the first place. The king needed sorcerers for cheap, people without lives that will take them away from the castle. If you must leave, everyone will understand so long as it’s for the betterment of all of Lycast. If not, I can’t speak for others, but I know how I would feel.”
She wiped what seemed to be the last tear and looked at me. “I can live with that.”
I stood up, and soon she did as well. I started toward the door, thinking we would be leaving soon. I would have to figure out what to do about Hadley later. It didn’t seem like she would be coming, though I would try to speak to her one last time before I rode out of Livea.
However, Kataleya wasn’t moving toward the door. In fact, she wasn’t moving at all.
“What is it?” I asked.
“The worst part about this is that it could’ve been stopped. We never had to let Endell in the house. That’s what makes me the angriest. I feel so stupid!” It sounded like she was about to start crying again.
“That doesn’t help anyone,” I explained. “Just remember who did this. It wasn’t you.”
I was impressed as I watched her fight down the tears, and a fiery look took hold in her eyes. “Yes,” was all she said.
Someone threw open the door. It was Kataleya’s mother, her eyes red just like her daughter’s.
“We have two visitors, Kataleya,” she said in an all-business tone. “Trevor is one. I expect you will be your best self you can be right now as you greet him.”
“I will try, Mother. Who is the other guest?”
“A young woman who has not given her name. She looks like she’s been on the road for a while.”
I started toward the doorway. “That must be the witch.”
“What?” Mora said, not moving out of my way.
“She won’t be staying long,” I reassured her. “Just after something to eat and possibly a bath.” I figured she needed both, having been on the run for so long. “Could you have the cook muster up something for us for breakfast?”
I wasn’t sure if Mora still blamed me for the death of her husband, and if Kataleya had given an insincere apology on her behalf. Considering how she glanced at Kataleya in that moment, perhaps she was still wondering herself.
“Lady,” I said, taking her gaze back. “I was hurt from the things you and Kataleya claimed yesterday. Kataleya can confirm that I would do anything to win this war, and I know Whitley was helping us. I would never let him die if I could help it, but I will admit that I prioritized Kataleya over him. When I thought she might perish, I did leave Whitley. Until that moment, however, I was doing everything I could for him. If you think of that choice as a mistake, then I will not argue against it, but that is the choice I would’ve made every time.”
I was surprised when Mora started to cry. I reminded myself that this was still new to them, the loss of their family member. Perhaps I shouldn’t speak so callously. It was just difficult not to when I myself was still so angry about the whole ordeal.
Kataleya was absolutely right. This could’ve been avoided.
Kataleya embraced her mother. “Jon would do anything for victory, like he says.” She spoke gently. “He would never let Father die if it could be helped.”
Mora quickly stopped her crying and apologized to me.
“I’m sorry,” she told me again after wiping her eyes. “Nothing of what happened was your fault. It was wrong of me to say so.”
“I forgive you,” I said.
Mora seemed to be stifling more tears, but she quickly composed herself. “Breakfast and baths are already prepared. Just find any servant and let them know you wish to eat or bathe, and they will see to it.”
“Thank you.”
First, however, I was going to finally meet this witch. I sorely wanted to trust her, so much so that I was ready to excuse any past crimes. We needed a witch. Hell, we needed any kind of sorcerer.
However, I told myself to be cautious with her. Remi had vouched for her, but I couldn’t be sure Remi had gotten to know her very well. It wasn’t as if Remi had gotten very close with any of us. I imagined it could be the same with Hadley.
Kataleya hurried down first as if to distance herself from me. I had a sense she wouldn’t want Trevor to know she had spent very much time with me during my stay, and I understood. Even if she was to refuse his proposal, as I