Relic

XX: Aprilus 8 Year 242, A.H.

When we near the surface, I drag myself the last stretch without Jasper’s help. Just as the final horn of evening sounds, I heave myself up and over the edge of the crevasse. I have made it. Barely. I lie on my back, staring up at the darkening sky. The Climbers were none the wiser.

“Rise, Testor,” the elder Scout calls out to me.

My entire body aches, but if a Scout tells you to get off the ground, you do it. Legs shaking and arms burning, I push myself up to stand before the Scouts’ lineup. Jasper is already on his feet. The Scouts don’t move. Clearly, we aren’t supposed to either. We are waiting for something, but as usual, no one tells us what. It’s maddening, particularly when my fate could hang in the balance.

In a few ticks, the two Boundary Climbers rise up out of the crevasse. They walk over to the elder Scout, and speak in hushed tones. My stomach churns. Are they reporting the Lex infractions Jasper and I just committed? Perhaps the Gods hadn’t blessed us with the Climbers’ ignorance, as I’d hoped. Perhaps they were just watching silently, waiting for us to break The Lex so they could report it.

As the Climbers take their place behind the Scouts, the elder Scout converses with the Scout to his right. I hold my breath until he speaks. “The first excavation day is over. You may return to your camps until the morning’s first horn.”

I feel like collapsing. Out of relief that our Lex-breaking will go unpunished. Out of exhaustion from my efforts in the crevasse. Out of despair that I will have to go through this grueling exercise again and again. Maybe all three.

Instead of slumping into the snow, what I really want to do, I gather my gear. As I squeeze my ropes, screws, harness, and boots into my now-heavy pack—with the rumors of sabotage I’ve heard over the years, I wouldn’t risk leaving them behind—I feel someone’s eyes on me. I glance over at Jasper, but he’s occupied with his own equipment. I look at the Scouts, but they are watching the Boundary workers tarping over the crevasse for the day. Even Scout Okpik is glaring elsewhere.

I’m about to chalk the feeling up to my imagination when I notice the Climbers. One of the two from the crevasse, recognizable by the shock of white running through his black hair, watches me. He doesn’t break my gaze as I’d expect. He pauses for a long tick, almost as if he’s making absolutely certain that I see his stare. Only then does he avert his eyes.

I’m perplexed by the peculiar exchange. Is the Climber sending me some Boundary message that only Lukas could help me interpret? Or was he trying to tell me that he witnessed the Lex-breaking by me and Jasper? If so, why didn’t he report it? What could be his possible motivation for protecting me? Or Jasper? I had thought it odd that neither Boundary Climber was looking our way at the critical moment, but I was so elated to get out of the crevasse that I didn’t give it more thought.

The Scouts gesture for our departure from the Testing Site, so I’m forced away from the Climber and away from my speculations. In the dying light, Jasper and I tromp through the snow toward camp. For a brief tick, we’re walking a fair distance from the Scouts and Climbers. Tempting the Gods, I risk a few quiet words.

“Thanks for your help.”

“It’s the least I could do. Anyway, you’re much better than you think. Now that I’ve seen you climb, I think you could’ve done it yourself,” he whispers back.

“I guess all those years climbing the walls of the turret are coming in handy.” As I say it, I know that’s only part of the truth. I’m stronger than before because I carry Eamon’s strength within me.

Jasper glances over at me, perhaps surprised by the image of an Aerie Maiden scaling the walls of her home, even though he’s seen me climb far higher ice walls out here. I sneak a smile at him.

“Do I hear talking behind me?” The elder Scout calls back.

“No, sir,” Jasper answers.

“Good. I better not.”

Jasper and I clamp our mouths shut. Being beside him is the most normal I’ve felt since I spotted him in the Taiga and we exchanged … what? A look? Happiness? Relief? For a brief tick, I want to push my doubts about him away and pretend that I’m an innocent Maiden again and Jasper and I are just strolling home from our School day. But I know I can’t.

And then we reach camp.

Most of the Testors have arrived and they are busy establishing their home bases. Lopsided and crumbling igloos litter the clearing—only William’s igloo looks halfway decent, and he’s the son of the Keeper of Buildings—and I want to laugh aloud at the clumsy efforts. How silly they were to refuse to choose Boundary Companions who could easily teach them the art of igluksaq.

But I don’t laugh. The Testors pause, regarding us, their eyes filled with jealousy and loathing. Especially Aleksandr and Neil. And even if a tick ago I had wanted to pretend everything was normal, I am reminded that I can’t. I am reminded that my wish to be a Testor—and not just a Maiden—has come true. I know the price. This is a competition, and right now, I’m a threat.