The pages were immaculate. It was a little strange considering how easily the herbs had crumbled, but the paper was untouched, not even creased.

Paper in the first place was expensive as it is, even before you considered the magic that surrounded it. They felt magical to the touch, and Theo’s fingers tingled with a little bit of warmth.

Theo carefully pulled them out of the chest (just because they seemed durable didn’t mean he was willing to test it), granules of herbs falling out between the pages. He shook the pages over the chest, making sure that every fragment landed back in the chest where it belonged.

Looking over the pages, he began to read.

“To…w-whom…ever…is…re-ading…this…” His cheeks flushed as he struggled. Kevin and Chrys were both surprised (Kevin tried to hide his eyes widening, but Chrys’ mouth dropped open), which didn’t help.

What did help was Esther’s complete lack of reaction besides nodding and an understanding grimace.

What helped the most was Sparrow lightly coughing.

“Uh, mind if I take over?” The slowly tying knot in Theo’s chest unravelled as he nodded, handing the pages over to Sparrow, who treated them as carefully as he had (to his great relief).

Theo’s shoulders relaxed as he focused on what Sparrow was actually saying, instead of trying to read it out.

He did mentally make a vow to figure out the reading thing, and see if Tome of Memories could fix the problem (or at least, make it easier).

“To whomever is reading this,

My name is Libera. I am the founder of the College of Prayer, former High Priest of Etol, and a cursed soul.” Sparrow paused, head quirking to a side as their eyebrows furrowed. They weren’t the only one. Masks of confusion laid on everyone’s face, which transitioned to masks of concern.

Shaking their head, Sparrow continued. “I have been cursed with foresight. Some call me a seer. Others call me apostate, heretic, demon. At times I wonder if I am a puppet compelled to follow the whims of a higher being, but I suppose we all are in one way or another.”

Sparrow paused, mulling over the words and processing what they had read. Theo was definitely still processing what he had heard. The meaning of that went over his head, but it clearly affected all the teachers.

Chrys was unnaturally still, and Theo wasn’t even sure if she was breathing. Kevin had a look of acceptance, but still seemed conflicted as his facial expressions kept moving between frowning and resignation. Esther had grabbed the table, and was digging divots into its surface from how hard she was clenching.

Sparrow looked fine, but Theo knew that it was too fine, too practiced. They were faking calm, but the sheer rigidity of their face told him differently. They kept reading, if a little more stilted.

“I saw visions of a city free from the wars and pain of the world, a small utopia. I helped to found it, and if you are reading this, you likely call this place home. And regardless of agency or my own desires, undeniably the visions came true. Union City is a utopia, and I cherish it so.”

While Theo understood that they were relatively safe from the wars that still raged outside, he still didn’t think Union City was a utopia. Which was okay, no place was. The fact the Outskirts existed in the state that they were in said it all.

The fact that there were nobles living in extravagant houses while so many of the people he grew up surrounded by had so little to go by was something he was resigned to, but it wasn’t ideal. If it wasn’t for The Pub and Alan essentially taking him in, if it wasn’t for the College of Prayer coming around with donations and food, it would have been much worse.

Wait, the College of Prayer. Sparrow continued before he could process that thought further.

“But, Union City will not stay a utopia, not without work. Not once our lifetimes are over. We have set plans in motion to maintain prosperity and good for all, but even so I see how those with a hint of power are looking to corrupt what we have built.” The three other teachers were completely focused on Sparrow’s words.

Theo started to notice that that was true, not only for the teachers, but everyone in the Guild. Askavel had woken up, and quietly listened on their pillow. Eva’s hands polished a glass, and she wasn’t looking in their direction, but her motions were rote and automatic as she eavesdropped. They were curious onlookers more than understanding what was going on, but that changed as Sparrow continued.

“Union City will not become a true utopia until there is no more greed in the world, until those with the ambition to abuse and rob do not get the opportunity to, the nations and histories that breed and push those to power are mollified, and the systems that enable them dismantled.

“Unfortunately, this is where I must ask a great duty of you.” A chill went down Theo’s spine. Sparrow made eye contact. Chrys, Kevin, and Esther all turned to look at him.

Everyone who was still pretending to not be listening in quickly dropped that façade, as they looked over to see where the focus was.

Confusion reigned for a moment, as they wondered why all these established people were staring at him, but soon enough everyone’s eyes turned to look at him. Everyone, in the entire Guild, even Eva. Theo gulped, and desperately tried to not hyperventilate.

“You who discovered the Coins of Unity, with the potential to bring the city together, will be the first of many who bear this burden. You will not be alone, for what is a Union with only one member?”

Theo paused, filing away the knowledge that the coins he held were apparently called the Coins of Unity. It was the least important thing in that paragraph, but also the only thing he could properly parse at this moment.

“I do not wish to turn you into a puppet. If you relinquish this duty I hold no ill will towards you. I merely ask that you pass it on to one who will take it on. If you decide to decline, please say so to the Coins of Unity to seek out another worthy candidate.”

Well, that took some of the pressure off (the way that a single drop of water is still welcome to one lost in the desert).

“The Coins of Unity are the Coin of Prayer, the Coin of Song, the Coin of Spells, the Coin of War, and the Coin of Union. You will have received one from each College, each institution that my friends and I founded, and the Coin of Union has been seeded throughout Union City, enough that if you had the potential it will respond to you. These were all created by Alexandra, the best runesmith I have ever known.”

Chrys’ mouth gaped open, far wider than when she realised Theo could barely read. Her eyes were almost round, and it sounded like she was quietly choking. She surreptitiously tried to see the Coins of Unity in Theo’s pocket, before reaching into her own pocket and pulling out her own Coin of Spells, carefully studying its surface.

“Ideally the supplies of coins given to each College are still around. The strategy of using them as signifying tokens meant poor Alex only had to make a thousand or so. Hiding the fact she made them will hopefully have deterred people from stealing or trying to dismantle them. It must have worked, if you’re reading this right now.”

Sparrow faltered, slowing down as they read ahead. Their left hand trembled slightly, and if the paper wasn’t so sturdy Theo wouldn’t be surprised if it started to rip.

“Or, I am as mad as I have always been, as damned as I have dreaded, and the only thing I write this letter to is the ruins of a dream made by fools.” Sparrow let the words sit, coagulating and stuck in everyone’s throats, as they seemed to seize every sound in the Guild and swallow it.

They slowed down even more, almost afraid to continue. “If that is the case, then may all the gods s-strike me down. I have worshipped at their altars for too long, and all they have done is play with our lives for their amusement.”

Kevin choked on nothing but faith and air. He blanched white, and Theo had a feeling it wasn’t just the lack of air. The founder of the College of Prayer, Libera the Kind herself, blasphemed and criticised the gods. Sparrow’s façade crumbled, and for once they were truly wary with no bravado or bluff to hide behind. Just pure, unadulterated fear.

Nobody in the Guild was unaffected, except for Eva and potentially Askavel. He stayed quiet, and it might be that Theo wasn’t that good at reading emotions from a non-humanoid’s body language, but he didn’t seem afraid. Eva, on the other hand, seemed to smirk a little, relaxing and regaining some life in her actions.

Still, after taking a deep breath and plastering on a (shoddily painted) mask Sparrow soldiered on. “I did not found the College of Prayer because I wished to, but it is still something I am proud of doing. The gods can do good, and I do not begrudge those who worship them.” Relief passed over most faces in the Guild, and there was a collective relaxing of shoulders and wiping of sweat from brows.

Some even reached for their drinks and took a sip, which was a mistake as Sparrow continued. “But they are cowards and troublemakers, and send the innocent to fight wars they themselves do not dare to.” Beer and wine misted the air, as many genuinely choked. Anyone who wasn’t drinking at that instant made a little more distance between them and their beverage of choice.

“Gods can be made and unmade, but I hope that you don’t have to do so in order to achieve our dreams. They can be bargained with, and I believe that to be an option for dealing with their interference.

“I do not mean to ramble on for no reason – I merely want you to understand the severity of what I am asking of you. You may be going against the rest of the world, even the gods, but you may create a better world. I repeat once again, you may refuse this duty if you so desire.”

Theo felt like dealing with the gods was far above his capability (and to his credit he is right, for now).

“If you do decide to take this on, then the Coins of Unity will direct you to places and people you need to find. They will function for a day, and will require a week before they can be activated once more. The Coins will only activate for those that have the potential to change the world. That is the reason you can wield the Coins. You, through providence or power, are a catalyst to change the world.”

To say that Theo didn’t (and couldn’t) believe that would be an understatement. Sparrow might as well have crowned him the prince of Etol and he would have a better time believing that.

“Even so, you alone cannot change the world. No single person can change the world, no matter what petty kings may argue. Find help anywhere and everywhere you can. That is my one piece of advice.”

There was a lot to chew on, but Theo found it jarring (and admirable) that she referred to kings so dismissively. Askavel snorted in agreement.

“Finally, please leave the herbs in the woods. Tef, Sout, and Saya have all told me in visions that they will be best left there, and rarely do three of them ever agree on anything, so leave them where you found the chest.” Kevin started eyeing up Chrys’ drink, but restrained himself.

Sparrow reached the end of the third piece paper, turning the last sheet over to see if there was anything left. The only thing remaining was the stunned silence of a dead man still standing. Or a whole squadron, seeing how quiet the whole Guild was.

“Drinks?” Sparrow asked, after enough time for a small candle to burn itself out.

Theo stared at nothing in particular, and nodded.