Chapter 87: Fractured Peace

Claire POV

When I went outside, the sun was just starting to rise. A gentle golden tint covered the horizon, throwing long shadows over the Redwater grounds. The ground still clung with morning fog; the air was sharp, biting. Usually, this hour brought a sort of calm. But not for today.

Not with Jared still in my head.

He had evolved. That much was obvious. The rogues he saved, how he endangered himself... the old Jared would not have acted that way. Still, the past clung to him like a second skin. Like the smell of blood that will not go away no matter how many rivers you bathe in.

I was not certain I could pardon him.

Still, I was aware that I had to make an effort.

I looked to the council lodge, where I would request him to see me. A combination of anxiety and repressed rage made my heart tight in my chest.

Jared was already present when I entered. Standing by the fireplace, hands behind his back, eyes downcast. He seemed smaller than I recalled. Not physically—he was still tall and broad—but emotionally.  As though guilt had eaten him from the inside out.

"Claire," he said softly, glancing up as I entered.

"Jared," I said, maintaining my even tone.

For a while we stood there quietly. The only noise between us was the crackle of firewood in the hearth.

After some time, he remarked, "I did not expect you to come alone."

I did not come as a leader. "I came as Claire."

His face unreadable, he nodded slowly. I thought you would want me gone by now.

I perched on the edge of the long table. I thought about it.

His jaw grew tight.

But then I remembered Talin. Plus his brothers and sisters. As well as the other rogues who mention your name almost with hope. I gazed up at him. You are attempting. That matters some.

I do not want accolades.

That is good, I remarked. Since you are not receiving any.

His eyes found mine, and a ghost of a grin danced over his features.

I erred, he said. That does not erase anything, I know. I know I do not merit your pardon.

I got up. You are correct. You do not.

That grin disappeared.

"But I am still offering it.

He blinked a little. "Why?"

"Carrying that hatred around will not solve anything. And since Derek said something the other night... something regarding suffering.

Jared turned his head. "What did he say?"

"That the agony we carry only has power if we keep feeding it."

He absorbed that by nodding slowly. He is correct.

Voice calm, I said, "I forgive you, Jared." I do not forget, though. I still recall your actions. For me. For Redwater. That does not simply go away.

He accepted quietly and his shoulders drooped. It certainly doesn't.

Another lengthy silence full of something weighty and unspoken followed. It was not hatred. Not any more. But it was not either healing.

“I want to help rebuild,” Jared said, stepping forward.  “With whatever you’ll allow me to do.  I don’t need a title.  I don’t need a home in the inner circle.  I only want to be good.

I observed him closely. He was not lying. There was no hint of the hubris he once carried like armour in his voice.

Rowan will be your boss. There is no rank. No choices. Simply service.

Fair enough.

Like the outer patrols, you will sleep close to the border. Every bit of confidence you broke will be earned.

I get it.

And just when I thought we were done, he said something I wasn’t ready for. 

I saw Claire.

I felt sick. Who?

“Lila.” 

“That’s impossible.” 

“No,” he said, voice low.  “I thought it was, too.  But the way she moved, the scent… it was her.  Or some version of her.” 

I looked at him. Lila passed away during the last purge. Her body was seen by all of us.

Two nights ago, I spotted someone in the ruins. She wore Lila's pendant—the same one she always wore. I would recognise it anywhere.

“What was she doing?” 

She gazed directly at me. Said nothing. Then vanished among the trees.

I gulped.

What if it is not only her? I said softly. What if others lived on?

Jared appeared dejected. "Then we have a larger issue than only restoring trust."

Heart thudding, I faced the door.

We have to dispatch scouts. "But quietly." Word of Lila will cause panic. Or, even more terrible, attempt to follow her.

Jared said, "Let me go." I can learn more.

I wavered. Trusting him with this... it seemed like walking a thin line over ice.

You said you came here without expecting anything, so I reminded him.

He said, "This is not for me." "Redwater is for it."

He was earnest.

And somehow, despite everything, I believed him. 

At last, I said, "Go." But bring someone along. I am not endangering anyone working alone.

I will locate someone.

Moving towards the door, I softly called out, "Jared?"

He stopped.

“Don’t prove me wrong.” 

He turned to me.  “I won’t.” 

With that, he disappeared into the morning fog.

Time flew by. Staying close to the lodge, I reviewed food rations for the flood of Midnight Moon refugees and plans for new housing units. A warrior came in, breathless, while I was talking with Elder Rowan.

"Claire," he panted, "You have to come. Right now.

My heart dropped. 

“What is it?” 

“There’s a scout.  From up north. He claims to have discovered something... or someone.

I rose. "Where?"

“The old Hollow Den ruins.” 

I left immediately, Derek joining me halfway through the run.  We didn’t speak—we didn’t have to.  When we arrived at the edge of the ruins, I saw the scout.  Pale, trembling, with blood on his clothes.

He murmured, "She was there." Your_rephrasing1

"Who?" I enquired, my voice already strained with fear.

“She called herself... ‘The Second Flame.’  She wore the remnants of the ancient world like a crown.

Terrified, he gazed up at me.

She claimed to be returning. That vengeance sleeps only for a time.” 

I felt the blood drain from my face. 

“What did she look like?”  I enquired, knowing already.

The scout's mouth quivered. She resembled Lila. But not quite.

Heart pounding, I stepped back.

Not only a ghost. Not only a memory.

Something darker had come to life.

And it bore Lila's visage.