Глава 9

...Nrgh.

Keep biting, and you'll clean your nail off before you know it.

Much bloody appreciated.

When it happens, don't you come begging me in tears to paint you a new design.

When've I ever cried in front of you?!

I just don't like letting the credit go to others.

Alright, alright, you think I don't know you? You were one of the first to start following The Leader. You ought to set your sights a bit farther some. But one single Hillock, and you're in this frenzy of a state. You don't even think it's embarrassing.

You mean...

Once things are all done here, The Leader needs someone to run a trip to Londinium in her stead.

Say that sooner! Quick, let's get going, I need County Hillock won within half a day!

Each one of them has their own greed inside, wild and wondrously formed, and not even the fiercest fire could burn them all through.

So what about mine? I only want to—hide...

Yet, does a shadow have the right to flee?

Leader.

Mm...

Madam Harmonie's inviting you to hold the meeting.

Do I... have to go?

Er, Madam did say, if you really don't want to go, they can respect your wishes.

Respect...? How kind of her.

Soldier, go and tell them, carry it all out according to plan.

They know their own duty. They don't need me pushing them.

As for me, I need to think in peace. Order your people to keep proper watch, and let nobody disturb me.

Yes, Leader.

I need... a little time...

What... is this?

In the ruins of the village, I found a piece of paper.

It was fragile, very much so, all four corners charred black, and as I picked it up, half fell to ash, and sadly, only half of the words were left upon it.

'Why should I lose heart'

'A great flame may have burned the whole land to its end'

'But I see someone's soul, on the other side of the scales'

It was a poem, a verse missing its beginning.

These words seemed freshly written, the ink still not naturally set, before fire scorched it dry.

Yes. My fire.

My soul...