Chapter 17: Midsummer NightWhen Anara flies she lights the skies,
She lights the rivers and the earth;
She lights the crossings, death and birth.
– Source unknown
Giri looked pitiful, but he’d told Thorat and Pannen’s gang everything they needed to know about the Cerean boat and its routines.
“We’ll let you back on your boat if you tell us all about it,” Pannen had said. “Otherwise we’ll turn you in to the city watch. Did you steal that thing from the palace?”
Giri shook his head.
“The watch don’t know that!” Pannen said.
The rest of the boys laughed with him.
“Now about this box,” Thorat said. “What does it do?”
“It keeps away the curses, keeps in the…” He searched for a word.
“Power?” Thorat prompted.
“Yes. Yes, power,” Giri said.
“What’s it made of?” Thorat asked.
“A thing
