Ross, Rebecca - Sisters of Sword and Song by Ross Rebecca

Author:Ross, Rebecca [Ross, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2020-04-16T00:00:00+00:00

XIX

Evadne

Charena,” Damon said, handing a new scroll to Evadne. “This is how we shall make our way through the heart of Euthymius. With one of my sung enchantments.”

Evadne accepted the scroll, unrolled it on her desk.

“What do you know of Mount Euthymius?” he asked, standing in his usual place on the opposite side of her desk, staring down at the blank papyrus she was about to mark. It was still night, and they were both weary and yet strangely invigorated, holding the secret of the mission between them like a second heartbeat.

“Well, I know Euthymius and Loris carved into the mountain by power of earth and water,” Evadne said.

“Which means that no flame of Pyrrhus can burn in the mountain’s passages. The fire would be extinguished as soon as it was lit within Euthymius.” He set a small scroll down before Evadne, his fingers quickly unfurling it. It was a map of the mountain’s inner passage, a descending drop that led to the door of the Underworld.

“Is this the map Bacchus drew for Halcyon and Xander?” Evadne asked, tracing its boundaries with her fingertips.

“Yes. Euthymius gave the knowledge to the priest, to then bestow to Xander and Halcyon,” Damon said. “This is why our siblings were training to fight in the dark, because they would not have the ability to carry fire into the mountain.”

Evadne remembered her sister’s terrible confession: Xander had yielded, but I did not . . . see it. I was already in motion, and my sword caught him in the throat.

She pushed the memory aside, focusing on the map. “This looks like a cistern . . .”

“It is,” Damon said. “And there are three levels. The water begins ankle deep. It flows to the west, where a staircase is carved in the midst of a waterfall, to lead down to the next level. It is a steep drop. Finding the stairs will be difficult, but I believe we can avoid the draw of the falls.” He pointed at the first waterfall and the stone staircase that divided it. Evadne’s eagerness dwindled as she tried to imagine them navigating it without slipping or drowning or falling to their deaths.

“The next level will be more arduous,” Damon continued, moving his finger to mark the path. “The water rises to the knee, and again, its currents will pull to the west, to yet another staircase and waterfall. These stairs will lead to the lowest level of the mountain. The water will be deep, and it will hold no current. We will have to swim to where the door to the Underworld resides, and there will be stairs that rise up from the water, leading to its threshold. The crown is hanging on the door. Above all, Bacchus warned, we must not open the door and release Pyrrhus, no matter how much the god might pound or beseech us.”

“And what of the immortal mage, Ivina?” Evadne asked.

Damon was silent for a moment. “She presents a threat. I have no doubt she will try to impede us.

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