***
Belythna found Floriana in the fortress’s library; a vast chamber with many hidden corners and a musty smell that made one’s nose itch upon entering it. After her conversation with Lady Serina, she had gone in search of her friend but found her chamber empty.
There was only one other place where Floriana could be at this hour.
Floriana was alone in the shadowy library. She sat at the end of a vast, dusty table, bent over a pile of books. Her hair fell in a pale cascade over the pages as she read. Floriana was deep in concentration; she had not even noted the creak of the library door when Belythna entered. She held a candle aloft, above the page, her brow furrowed.
“You’ll ruin your eyesight, trying to read in that light.”
Floriana started slightly. She looked up from the page, her gaze meeting Belythna’s, before giving a tired smile. “You’re up late.”
“Couldn’t sleep,” Belythna replied, deciding that it was best not to mention that she had spoken privately with Lady Serina. She took a seat next to her friend; her gaze flicking to the open page before Floriana. “What are you up so late studying?”
“A bit of history,” Floriana replied. “Most of the Sentorân history volumes are kept safe in the Citadel of Lies but this library still has a lot to teach us.”
“Looking for anything in particular?”
Floriana shrugged. “Any trace of past conflicts from within the order – anything that might help us resolve this.”
“And did you find anything?”
Floriana shook her head and leant back in her chair. She rubbed her eyes, which were no doubt stinging after the hours she had spent reading.
“Nothing. To read these histories, you would think there was never a cross-word spoken between any of us.”
“That’s what Lady Serina would have us believe,” Belythna replied, unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice, “and if it weren’t for Riadamor, we would have no cause to think otherwise.”
Floriana nodded, her face troubled. “You’re right. Riadamor will not have been the first to rebel against the order.”
“No,” Belythna replied softly, “and if we win this battle, she won’t be the last.”
Chapter Twelve
The Gathering Storm
Deep-Spire, Central Omagen
Deep-Spire Page 15
