26. Arcady: The Night Market

As the second Trial approaches, Arcady balances mornings of sweaty practice, Citadel meals, lectures, and alchemy lab with long afternoons in the library alongside Rahela, Willem, and Damon. In secret evening sessions, Arcady practices warding with Sorin in an abandoned classroom; the ward holds until distraction, and Sorin sometimes slips into unsettling blankness before refocusing. Arcady trusts Sorin’s sword skill for the upcoming paired task, intending to maintain the ward while Sorin breaks defenses.

On the new moon, Arcady returns to the Night Market after a covert note from Wren. Among illicit wares—glimmering stones, unregistered weapons, and dubious potions—Arcady reflects on Struck false cures and the grim trade in blood, recalling how blood sealed the bond with Everen.

Wren appears and gifts Arcady a realistic false dragon eye, then asks for updates. Arcady confesses to a risky break-in at Professor Hayden’s laboratory, where careful searching of experiments, books, and files yielded nothing about the Strike, the Struck, or any Elixir. Doubting Larkin’s lead, Arcady pushes Wren to temper her demands; Wren insists the source is sound.

They agree on a dead drop at the brewery and a one-moon check-in. Wren shares a contingency: savings for passage to the Trader side of the Glass Isles with Driscoll, and an invitation for Arcady to join after matters conclude. Arcady, mindful of past fractures with the Marricks, declines for now but accepts Wren’s apology and encouragement about the first Trial.

Arcady leaves the Market and climbs back to the Citadel, shedding the habits of his old life. He resolves to keep searching discreetly while maintaining training and studies, uncertain how long he can sustain the double life under Larkin’s blackmail and the pressure of the imminent second Trial.