The messenger came at noon, walking across the eastern fields with empty hands raised.
She was human—or had been, once. Her eyes were hollow, her skin grey, her mouth a thin line. The Deepening had hollowed her out and filled her with itself.
I bring an offer, she said.
Elara stood on the wall.
"I'm listening."
Surrender the child. Give Kaela to the Deepening. In return, the Deepening will sleep for another thousand years.
"Kaela is not a bargaining chip."
Everyone is a bargaining chip. You just haven't realized it yet.
"I've realized it. I just refuse to play."
---
The messenger smiled.
The Deepening expected you to refuse. It has a second offer.
"What?"
You. Take the child's place. Enter the Deepening's heart and sleep with it forever. In return, the Deepening will spare you
