Warmoon [ONC 2020]•[Shortlisted]•[Honorable Mention List, Stunning Worlds]

25. Leaving

Yoan Strongcastle stood at the bay window in his study, overlooking the bailey. He remained that way when Rhoa stepped in and closed the door.

"When my father died, the tower had been standing for twelve generations," he said after a moment, his voice low. "Twelve generations of Strongcastles lived here, died here, each passing their legacy one to the next."

Rhoa rested her crutch against his desk, then clasped her hands behind her back and tilted her head, studying him. There was more coming. His shoulders were rigid with it.

"I never thought I would be the one rebuilding it from the ground up." He shook his head and glanced over his shoulder at her. "I told you to make him talk. I didn't tell you to let him out. What on all the green earth was he doing in the stables?"

"Feeding the sheep," she said simply. She was about to go on when her father about-faced, glowering at her from under a fierce frown.

"The Vanguard can't be trusted, Rhoa. Whatever he told you, whatever he promised, it was only so he could use you."

Rhoa let out a sharp breath through her nose. For the first time in her life, she didn't back down, but met his eyes. "With all due respect, Father, you weren't here."

"Yes! You're right! And I was counting on you to hold things together. Instead, I come home to that," he said, his voice rising as he gestured toward the empty space were the tower once stood. "Do you know what it takes to capture a monster? We have to rebuild the tower, then track the beast to its lair, which is going to take months, now, if not years. Who knows how much damage that thing will do in the meantime —"

"Why?"

Strongcastle stopped speaking, his eyes widening with surprise as he looked at her. "What?"

"Why do you have to catch it again?" she asked calmly. "The Rot is gone. The grass is growing, the flowers are blooming, the rain has stopped. The monster hasn't been rampaging around killing people, so why do you have to catch it again and stick it in a tower?"

"Is that my daughter, or the Vanguard talking?" her father shot back. The corner of his lip curled in a humorless, disgusted grin. "He probably told you that the thaw was the monster's doing, didn't he? You know what is the most devastating thing about all this? You believe him. One week. That's all it took, and he undid everything we taught you –"

Rhoa narrowed her eyes. "You're angry about the tower. I understand that, but did you know I was trapped underneath it? No. You don't, because you weren't here. Did you know it was Kry who pulled me out? No. You don't. You haven't asked. Phane is right. We're all alive. If you knew what really happened here, maybe you would be grateful instead of treating me like a child."

Strongcastle's eyebrows rose, his forehead creasing into lines. "You abandoned your post, Rhoa. You betrayed your oaths to the Keeper's Order."

That made Rhoa go still. For a long, aching heartbeat she stared at him. Then she nodded, took up her crutch, and turned to leave.

Her father's voice was a demand more than a question. "Where are you going?"

She paused with her hand on the doorpull. "I saw the monster, Father. I looked into its eyes. There was more forgiveness there than I have ever had from anyone. I won't be part of this anymore."

"If you walk out that door, you are no longer welcome under my roof. I will not abide traitors."

Her throat aching, Rhoa bowed her head. She had expected as much, but hearing the words hurt just the same. She pulled the door open.