The first impression made by the third room was one of scent rather than sight. The mixture of odors was so intense and confusing that Ember had to pause and regain her bearings. The temperature in this room was markedly higher than in the previous chambers. The reason for the difference was easy to find. A blisteringly hot forge squatted in the center of the room. The fire within its bowels roared despite the absence of a blacksmith to stoke its flames.
Unlike the first two rooms, this chamber was a perfect circle. Ember walked to the edge, and while she kept her distance from the forge, sweat was soon beading on her forehead. In the ring around the blazing fire, she found the tools and crafts of master artisans. She paused amid the stringent scents of a tanner’s work, marveling at the skill it must take to create one piece of leather armor that seemed as tough as steel while another was softer than silk. As she continued, her nose crinkled not because of a foul stench, but in distaste. She quickly passed a spinning wheel and several looms. While she could appreciate the fine clothing and marvelous tapestries spread alongside the weaver’s tools, she had too many memories of sitting with her mother and Agnes forced into the monotony of spinning to want to linger here.
Ember walked past a chandler’s wares and barrels of all sizes created by a cooper. Of all the rooms this one offered the widest variety of sights and scents. The office of craft encompassed many livelihoods should she choose the door in this room. She watched as a girl brushed by her, hurrying to the door. She turned, giving Ember a shy smile before she disappeared and the door closed after her. Despite the many possibilities presented by this room, Ember knew it wasn’t what she desired.
Making her way to the antechamber, Ember felt as though a fist had closed around her heart. She looked at the archways that led to the room brimming with scrolls and the one leading to war. Which should she choose?
The first room promised a world of secrets revealed. A life of learning—a rare and precious vocation, one she wished she could share with Agnes. Ember’s sister would happily stay forever in such a room. The second would be exactly as it appeared: unpredictable, dangerous, filled with contradiction. Though immersing oneself in the arcane wasn’t without risk, a scholar’s life would be filled with a much subtler danger than the overt costs of war. She knew what her family would want. Her mother and sister would be relieved that she was sequestered with scribes. Her father might hope that she could continue her studies while still becoming the wife of Gavin Mackenzie. If she surrendered to Lord Morrow’s will, she might even be able to spend time with Agnes. It wasn’t unheard of for sisters to spend a season or more in each other’s home, particularly after the birth of a child. Would it be worth choosing the room full of books so she could keep Agnes in her life?
Though the risk to her body might be less by her choosing the first room, the risk to her spirit was too great. The hope Ember held dear, that she’d imagined might be made real through her father’s debt to Conatus, was that she could have a life where she wouldn’t be caged. And marriage would leave her tethered to a husband and his manor for the rest of her life.
Ember drew a long breath and turned to the center room. She walked swiftly beneath the archway, past the chart-covered tables. The door in the far wall of the room was plain and narrow. It waited for her. Without pause, Ember grasped the handle and flung the door open.
“This is my choice,” she murmured, and stepped into darkness.
Blinking to let her eyes adjust to the much dimmer light, Ember discerned that she had entered some sort of passageway.
Ember gave a startled cry as a hand on her shoulder turned her around. Her fear became embarrassment as she found herself looking up at Barrow.
“You’ve made your choice, but now you must be tried,” he told her. “Come with me.”
She couldn’t read his expression, try as she might to draw some hint of what was to come from within his storm-gray eyes.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
He didn’t answer, and the brief thrill she’d felt at seeing him became sullen resentment. The corridor widened, and Ember saw a row of figures lining each side of the hall. Her pulse thundered in her ears as she realized that they were the members of the Guard standing at attention. They watched solemnly as she passed them, twelve on each side of her, though Alistair, Kael, and Barrow were the only three warriors she knew. Why were all of the Guard assembled here? And what were they waiting for her to do?
At the end of the row of knights, Alistair stepped forward and fell into step beside Ember. His mischievous smile eased her mind a bit.
“Good choice, Em,” he whispered, and she smiled at him.
Barrow stopped, turning stony eyes on Alistair. “Return to your place. She isn’t finished.”
Alistair ignored him, leaning closer to Ember. “Don’t worry. We’ve all done it.”
“Alistair. Stop.” Barrow took a step toward him. “You know this isn’t permitted.”
Alistair scowled at the tall knight.
“Why are you interrupting the trial?” Barrow gave him a stern look.
“Only offering to accompany my friend as long as I’m able,” Alistair told him curtly.
The chill covering Ember intensified. Alistair’s words suggested that at some point, he wouldn’t be able to remain with her—wherever they were going. And Barrow seemed to think Alistair shouldn’t be with her at all.
Barrow stiffened but didn’t offer further objection. He turned his eyes on Ember.
“Follow us.”
Alistair placed his hand on her elbow, walking beside her as Barrow led them from the hall. Ember caught several gazes from the two rows of knights from the corner of her eye. Everyone was watching her. Wherever she was going, whatever was about to happen, it was important. It was important to all of them.
Ember shuddered and Alistair squeezed her arm. “Ember, I swear that—”
“Enough, Alistair!” Barrow had turned to face them.
Alistair glared at the taller knight. “What harm could it do if I explain what’s happening? You must understand that Ember is different. She has no—”
His words were cut off when Barrow shoved him away from Ember. “If she is to be one of us, there can be no exceptions.”
“You don’t know her like I do. I only want to ensure—” Alistair snarled at him.
“I said, enough.” Barrow nodded at Kael, who while watching the exchange slunk from his place in the line of soldiers and came to stand beside Alistair. “You will remain here with the others.”