Eva opened the door to Councilor Samel’s office. It was filled with old furniture and piles of books, and Eva could see the dust in the air. She tried not to breathe too deeply the smell of molding parchment. Didn’t councilors have attendants to clean their offices for them?

The councilor looked up from the papers in her hand, her eyes distorted by heavy spectacles. “Close the door behind you, captain.”

Eva’s hand gripped the brass handle, and the door groaned as she pulled it shut. Councilor Samel put her papers aside and took off her spectacles to reveal her brow covered in vertical lines from constant frowning. The councilor motioned towards an upholstered chair. “Sit.”

Eva moved to position herself on the cushioned chair, and a cloud of dust rose as she sat. She cleared her throat, trying not to cough, and attempted to disperse the cloud with a few waves of her hand.

The councilor stared at her and then sighed. “You read the letter?” she asked.

“Yes, councilor,” Eva said, “The gates, how did the eiterium fail?”

“That is what you are going to find out. Whatever is behind that door, Eva, find out what it is and why the Kevahs kept it from us.”

“But, there isn’t a key,” Eva said, and held up the scroll.

“That shouldn’t be a problem.”

“You want us to open it? Did the High Court—”

The councilor waved her hand in frustration. “Whatever is behind those gates will be handed over to the High Court.”

Eva paused. “And we have permission to open it?”

“I’m giving you permission.”

“But, the High Court—”

“I will tell the High Court of the situation, but I am sure they are more that aware already.”

Eva felt a familiar weight grip her chest. Informing the High Court after the fact… if they didn’t look on the decision favorably, her Company Twelve would be in trouble.

Councilor Samel folded her hands in front of her. “Was I wrong to assume you would be capable? Honestly, Eva, you should be grateful for the opportunity to prove that you deserve to be captain of your own company, especially after the Vignyac family was so gracious to let you use their name. You would not want to be discharged or exiled, would you?”

Eva’s eyes lowered, focusing on the embroidered dirt-ridden carpet beneath her feet. “No, Councilor.”

“Good, you leave at dawn. You’re free to go.”

Eva rose and bolted for the door. She let it fall shut behind her. The iron ring clattered back into place, and she stood still for a moment and closed her eyes to process Councilor Samel’s orders. When did she ever have a choice? She slowly let out a breath to rid herself of that familiar weight.

“Eva,” a voice whispered, and Eva’s eyes snapped open.

She turned and her eyes found Ceron, who was standing a short way off. Eva’s eyes darted towards the councilor’s study, before she closed the distance between them with a few long strides. Her hand grabbed his shirtsleeve, and without stopping, she led him down the darkening hall.

“Ceron, you shouldn’t be here,” she said.

“So, that’s why she chose Company Twelve?” he asked. “And what if something goes wrong?”

He’d been listening. Eva’s steps paused, and she turned to face him. “Ceron, were you using an eavesdropping incantation to get past the councilor’s door? What if you got caught? Then what?”

“Don’t worry. And if one of us gets punished, the other one gets punished too, remember?”

“You’re still going on about that? It’s been five years.”

“Just remember Eva—”

“I know, I know, when the world turns to chaos—”

“Keep me by your side. Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Cause I’ll protect you.”

“Oh, really?” She laughed. “Who will do the protecting? I’m better at incanting than you.”

Ceron swung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her down the hall in the direction of the dormitories. “So, what do we tell the others?”

Eva took a deep breath. “We tell them the truth.”

Ceron nodded his head. “Good plan.”

“I always have good plans.”

“But your plans are better with me around.”

“Always, always.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“Never.” She laughed again, and they continued down the hall as the ellamps grew dimmer and shadows on the walls began to flicker along with the ellamps, signaling it was soon time for lights out.

* * *

The team of four sat in Eva’s room in silence and stared at her, before Ilona broke the silence. “There was an earthquake? And what does he mean the sun hasn’t moved in an entire week? Wouldn’t someone have told us?”

“Apparently nobody cares about the Northern Pass anymore,” Agim chimed in.

“I guess they thought we noticed already,” Ilona said.

“We live inside a mountain that has zero windows,” Agim said.

“Keepers,” Eva interrupted, “The Kevah and our own Guardian Council are asking us to open the gate.” There, she’d said it.

“Open the gate?” Agim said, eyes wide. “The one that is guarded by an Old Eron incantation, written in some ancient person’s blood?”

“If we do it together, it’s possible,” Eva said. “Councilor Samel made it clear that she chose Company Twelve for this task.” She looked at their faces, filled with disappointment.

“Because we’re disposable?” Agim asked. “Well, everyone except for Ceron.”

“Agim, that’s unnecessary,” Eva said.

“Is Ceron going with us?” Ilona asked.

Ceron cleared his throat. “Of course I’m going.”

“Perfect,” Agim said, and threw his hands in the air. “So, we can all die together, or worse, be imprisoned or exiled together forever.”

Eva rubbed her temples. No one wanted this task, but… “I’ll remind you that these orders are not suggestions. So, the sooner we accept it, the better it will be for everyone.”

“And these orders are directly from Councilor Samel? ‘Open the gate?’” Ilona asked.

“Yes,” Eva said. “Ceron was there too. He can confirm.” She looked at Ceron and he nodded his head in agreement.

“What in the name of Mt. Vallea is happening?” Agim said and shook his head in disbelief.

Eva stood, her chair scraping across the floor. “There’s nothing left to discuss. Get some rest and meet at the main dormitory door before sunrise. We need to be leaving the main gate at dawn.”

“Captain,” Agim said, “I think there is plenty we need to discuss. What are we going to do when we get there?”

Ceron slapped Agim’s shoulder. “And we’ll have time to go over the details once we’re on our way. Let’s go.”

“The details of how we’re going to break the law because Councilor Samel told us to?” Agim asked. “Use blood with our incantations?”

“If you’re not at the main gate by sunrise,” Eva said, “I’ll have to report you as a deserter. The choice is yours.”

“And be hunted down, imprisoned, and put on trial? I don’t think so.”

“No one is happy about the situation, Agim, no one. Now everyone, go back to your rooms and get some rest.”

Agim didn’t respond aloud, the tension in the room didn’t settle, and he nodded inconsistently. But he and Ilona picked up their bags and headed for the door. Ceron trailed behind, and he stopped at the door. “Get some sleep, captain.”

Eva tried to force a smile. “See you in the morning,” she said and watched him disappear through the doorway.