8

Meredith shifts against her bonds, and you turn away. You hear her exhale, but don't bother to look back. Across the aisle, Verity gives you a small, approving nod.

Next

"Humans and demons alike feared Cadafel's power the first time he rose," Meredith says in a sudden rush of words. "The forces sent against him were led by a champion on each side. Ilias on yours, one of the best your Academy had to offer. Ours was a magical master as well, a hero of wars and quests on both sides of the portal. Caron was the name they took in human realms." Her expression shifts a little, a wistful smile spreading across her face. "And they so often were. In human realms, that is. They adored your world, adored all of you. They learned countless human languages, took countless human shapes. A different one every time they changed to human form. They'd look like men, women, or neither; old or young or in between. Whatever struck them in the moment, whatever let them walk among you."

"You knew them." Min is leaning forward, focused and intense. They aren't asking a question.

Meredith jumps a little, almost shuddering, as though she'd forgotten where she was. She doesn't respond for a moment. "Both sides raised armies to face Cadafel, but he could turn them against each other with a word. Smaller, more skilled groups were safer, so most often it was Ilias and Caron who faced him. And, yes, me as well."

There's another pause, and you're the one to prompt her this time. "You?"

"Caron had apprentices. I was the best of them, and Caron brought me everywhere until the end," Meredith says. She can't quite look at you, which is an odd change from her usual penetrating gaze. "I've fought Cadafel before. This next omen—the crown—this is crucial. The most important one yet. There will be things I need to ask of you, and I need you to trust that I know what I'm doing."