The Boon of Alon

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

At least alone in the dorm I have some time to review the options I found in the archive earlier. I sit cross-legged on my bunk and pull out the pencil stub I got from the limited supplies in the archive, and the scrap of paper on which I've scribbled my list so far.

I ignored Pangessa, and the Orene Republic isn't high on my list since it nearly surrounds Pangessa, but I figured just about anywhere else on the continent is an option. And every country on the continent has some kind of mage's guild, which is the first entry on each country's section of my list.

I've already crossed out a few of them; Cashiren, Sket, and the Kingdom of Runsta are small, relatively peaceful island nations, which would be fine for hiding from Suthi, but doesn't leave a lot of opportunity for doing something boon-worthy. Borea's guild I found listed as an organization to keep an eye on—they have a reputation for playing fast and loose with ethical concerns. I want to do something big, but not if it's going to ruin people's lives. On the other end of the spectrum, Gray Cralesa's guild is noted as basically powerless—most Cralesan mages work outside the guild's influence. Freelancing is an option, I guess, but it'll take me forever to work up the cred to do anything of note.

And, speaking of boon-worthy, I've figured out a few parameters for the nebulous goal of "earning it." For one, whatever I do has to help people; for another, the impact has to outlive me. That's a tall order. On the other hand, I'm not worried about doing something relevant to Alon's domain specifically—the boon itself isn't. And gods know communication hasn't been my strong suit lately.

I skim over my list, incomplete and already with so many options crossed out. Of course it has occurred to me that leaning into my prophecy would solve a lot of my problems; ending the rebellion, particularly in favor of the rebellion, would change Pangessa dramatically, and probably help a lot of people besides. At the least, there'd be less fighting. But that means giving in and letting fate—or Iamon specifically—control me. Who the hell would I be then? Nothing but a tool, and I've had more than enough of being used.

I also have no idea how I'd help the rebellion when they want me dead, so, there's that.

I'm going to need to do more research, anyway, both to find more options and vet them. It's been a week since Chama left, which means tomorrow is rest day again and I have all day to spend in the archive. Unless Suthi interrupts.

Speaking of—other recruits start trickling into the dorm sooner than I'd like, and Suthi is among them. Following the unfortunate precedent set at dinner, she comes up to my bunk; I really wish I'd landed one of the higher bunks, because sitting enclosed in my lower bunk while she looms in front of me is not helping me feel safe around her.

"I wasn't trying to upset you," she says softly, which is so absurd I almost laugh. Instead I bite my cheek and stare, trying to think of a polite way to tell her so.

"What?" she asks after a minute of this.

"I'm trying not to be rude," I say, and promptly give up, "but what did you expect would happen?"

She opens her mouth, closes it again, and sighs. "Can I sit?" She gestures at my bunk.

"No," I say, and her face twists. She crosses her arms and leans against the bunk post instead, which is actually better, because she's not blocking my escape route anymore.

"Why do you hate me?" she asks flatly. "I mean—besides the fight, I get that, but you don't know me at all, so—why?"

"And besides how you keep trying to talk to me when I don't want to talk?" I counter in the same tone. Her lips thin and she nods stiffly. "I guess it doesn't have much to do with you at all then, does it?"