We reach the Kalarinth Citadel just before dawn. No more dragons had sprung in our way, which made climbing up this massive mound – so much smaller it looked from a distance –marginally easier.
The entire building was hewn from the black mound as a single piece, with an absurd density of diamonds embedded within its walls, their lustre dulled by a film of black dust. Fist-sized crystals, practically unheard of even in the richest of Vassal States, number in the thousands. If all this is converted into money the Realms would probably break more terribly than any destruction dragons could sow.
Dozens of lofty spires, all miraculously intact, surround the Citadel on all sides. Struck by the feeble light of the winter dawn, their monotonous black walls radiate a kaleidoscopic array of colours that shimmer like towers of stained glass.
So beautiful.
The gateway to the longest day of my life lies before us: a gaping black hole easily big enough to fit four little giants walking abreast. The entrance is wide open, yet sunlight could not illuminate the interior. A glassy reflection makes it hard to see what's inside, kind of like the black tent at the Stone Graves.
There is a pile of rubble right by where we stand. Judging by the giant toes, this is the remnant of yet another statue; the way it's positioned in front of the gate, it looks as if it was built to bar the way. Kathanhiel pulls me to a stop in its shadow.
'Take a moment to consider your options. Once we go in there is no –'
I don't know what expression I could've had to make her stop talking, but she's smiling that same old smile again. 'One more thing.' She holds out her hand. 'I must fulfil my vengeance by slaying the Apex, or I wouldn't...it wouldn't be right.'
I give her Kaishen. The jumble of words in my head refuse to line themselves up with any coherence; there is so much I want to say but couldn't. Ten years she has waited for this day, and in her head, how it's going to end must have already played out a thousand times. What am I supposed to say to that? What am I supposed to do?
As her hand closes around Kaishen's grip tendrils of molten steel wrap themselves around her fingers, fusing flesh and metal. Hiding beneath her shirt are countless red lines spreading web-like across her skin; I had first noticed them in the forest, but since she hasn't brought it up neither have I. They are supposed to have faded, especially with all the suppressant she has taken.
As we draw close to the Citadel gates, I look down at my hands. They're not shaking at all. Unsurprising, since my head is too full to fit in fear. What is it filled with, exactly?
I glance at Kathanhiel's face. She looks calm, determined. There is a veil before her eyes. I don't think she's here anymore. In her mind, she must be going home.