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t was a bittersweet way to end her life. Uriel leaned her head against Morisedd's shoulder, grateful that at least both of them were at peace with one another after years of separation and sadness. The journey had given them ample time to grieve and forgive.
She did not need to understand Canthan to realize they were doomed. Lemony's expressive visage was now so grim with despair and anguish it was clear their survival was no longer at question. They were merely pawns in a larger game, expendable once the time was right. Uriel had wept all the tears that were left to her, a lifetime of them in the space of a few short months. She was numb, now, waiting for the freedom of another realm. It was not so bad knowing Morisedd would be with her. How many people got to cross the mists with their beloved?
Panic shot through her as she was grasped under the arms and dragged out of the cart. Morisedd stirred and gazed up at her, his gray eyes sad and dull with surrender. It was over now and she prayed it was swift and relatively painless. She wobbled on her feet, unaccustomed to standing as the chains were stripped off. Kiku’s black silks were dusty and torn from days of travel through monster infested woodland. Uriel shuddered as she recognized the enraged roars and grunts of approaching beasts.
"We are overwhelmed," Kiku said coldly, handing Uriel her beloved flaming staff and burning diadem, "If you remember how to fight, I suggest you do so now. If we live, you go free."
"Morisedd," she croaked, "I fight for him, too."
"You are not in a position to bargain," Kiku said harshly, "He is my last piece of insurance. You'll obey or he dies. That's simple enough for even a Tyrian to understand."
Lemony stood nearby clutching her staff blearily, her lean visage pinched with fear and helplessness. She could understand the chatter of the Canthans around her and Uriel noticed her eyes kept wandering up to Morisedd. He stirred slightly, tense with concern for them and clearly wishing he could fight beside them.
"Go with Mai Ling," Kiku instructed Uriel, "Hold the eastern flank. I want the oni dead first, followed by the gardeners. And don't even think about trying to free Morisedd or abandon this camp. I will poison him and then you'll get the pleasure of watching him die a very unpleasant and miserable death while you savor your betrayal."
"I will devastate my foes with fire," Uriel replied softly, mouthing the words of her attunement ritual. A shimmer of fire wreathed her weary form and awakened something that had lain sleeping in the pit of her soul. Rage flared along with fire, and with it, the knowledge that she was far from weak and helpless. While she had lain at the mercy of her foes, she had been granted ample time to imagine a thousand ways of avenging herself upon them, and now one means in particular seemed enticing.
But first she must face the dredge and oni. Once they were beaten down and Morisedd was preserved from that threat, she would reckon with the other.
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