I spent the next few hours pacing between the long table, where they were sitting, and the fireplace, recounting the events that led to Myriam's death, starting from the moment she woke up after the liturgy.

I tried to remember every tiny detail she had mentioned, from the day she fled Nara, to her entering the enchanted forest—crossing the Endless Sea, living on the outskirts of Yubna, and traveling through Leka An, the train ride from Tankara to Snjokomu, finding the underground slaver passage to the point where the godly forces collided, her stay in the monastery and how she managed to retrieve the book she'd been looking for all along.

They listened to me telling her story in silence. They were amazed to see the shield she had enchanted for me, and even more so by the fact this very shield was the reason I was still alive. Of course, the shield had now saved me again from being struck down by the avoral man on my way from Nara just a few days ago, but this was part of my story, not hers. And it was a part I was not yet ready to share.

As they marveled at the craftsmanship of the shield and I explained all the spells and protections it was imbued with, the blue topaz at its center glowed with satisfaction.

"What was that?" Krysha asked, being the one closest to the shield, meticulously inspecting each orb and precious stone on it.

"The shield is feeding off the stories," I replied with a smile. "Myriam and I used to sit and share our life experiences in front of it every day before going to sleep. She said this fueled it. I think that was what saved me."

"That doesn't sound like any spell I've ever heard of," Seika said.

"That's because it's Myriam's own creation," I said, puffing up my chest with pride for her, though I was hardly able to keep my voice from cracking.

"A gem embedded in a piece of equipment," said Seika while looking at Krysha, stopping to consider it, "fueling spells by means of absorbing stories and experiences."

"Yes," I agreed, "that pretty much sums it up."

"I would very much like to examine it," Seika said, "if you'll allow me? Once we're done with our business tomorrow."

"Which brings us to the matter at hand," Man prompted before I could reply so I simply nodded at Seika. "We know what we're going to tell the archons tomorrow."

"If we're accepted," Krysha interjected.

"We'll be accepted. No doubt about that," Man reassured her. "The question is what we are going to ask them to do about it."

"This is their problem," Krysha replied. "They should go down there and deal with it."

"We can't make such demands of the archons," Kard said. "We need to present the situation in such a way that it appears to be an opportunity for them."

"Those kinds of tricks won't work in this case, Kard," Man said. "We're talking about powerful old spellcasters leading a powerful nation."

"Then perhaps they do need to be the ones to handle this." Seika agreed with Krysha. "I'm confident they'll know what to do. We just need to enable them."

"Then I guess it falls on me to ensure they have what they need in the south," Man said, and shifted in his seat.

"Should we worry about our safety?" asked Kard, finally placing his dagger on the table, and paying full attention to the conversation.

"What's done is done," Seika replied. "They haven't risen to the status of archons by acting out of spite. I think we'll be okay. We do have our leverage after all."

"I think we might have overplayed Man's royal lineage," I said.

"I didn't mean Man being a prince," she responded.

"Plus, his lineage might not be quite what you think," Kard said and smiled at me teasingly, "though I guess that's a story for another time."

"We still have custody of an archon and a paragon who committed crimes against you," Seika continued, disregarding Kard's comment.

"Oh, that's right!" I said. "I'd completely forgotten about them. How should we handle this?"

"With honesty," Man replied. "Brutal honesty. No tricks, no ploys. This is way above our level, and we need the archons. Perhaps more than they do us."

"It's settled then?" Kard asked, and put his hands on the table, ready to spring up. "Shall we get some sleep?"

"I have one final request I'd like you all to agree to, before bringing it to the archons," I said seriously. Kard groaned out of tiredness and acted as though he'd fainted on the table. "I want the archons to sanctify Myriam."

"Is that a thing?" Kard asked, springing back up to a seated position and looking confused.

"I've never heard of it," Man confessed.

"The archons haven't raised a deceased person to sainthood for centuries," Krysha explained. "It was usually done when people sacrificed themselves or became martyrs for the sake of our people."

The last words came out almost too silently to hear as the realization dawned on her. I saw Seika smile as she understood.

"You want her story to be told through the ages," she said. I nodded and she continued, "I would love for that to happen."

Nobody said anything but they were all nodding affirmatively. I felt that sense of pride swelling in my chest again.

Pretty soon we had all moved to different rooms in the mansion. Seika only activated the minimum number of magical torches to avoid us being seen through any gaps between the window blinds. I expected that the low lighting would make the large empty mansion seem scarier, but it actually felt quite cozy and welcoming.

I slept in my old childhood bedroom but, no matter how much I wanted to go through the chests and bookcases, I was simply too tired to stay up and reminisce any longer. Soon after lying down, all sounds faded away and sleep overcame me.

I rested my eyes with a sadness different from that of the previous days. Tomorrow, I would make the first step of righting this terrible wrong. The world would know of the good Myriam had done.

The world will know the truth about the Last Sorceress.