Theres a cure? she asked, her eyes going wide.

Oh. Linas expression instantly became one of concern, her hands going to Nerras shoulders. Nerra, its a story, a rumor. People go and try, but when I asked Kleos, he told me that it wasnt real.

Nerra felt her hopes deflate a little. Even so, she knew that she couldnt let this go. She had to know the truth about the waters. She had to ask Kleos.

***

Nerra found Kleos in a simple wooden hut that seemed to be his own. There was no ostentation here, no display, barely anything at all beyond a bed, a table, and a mat on which Kleos knelt, apparently deep in prayer or thought.

Nerra waited for him to finish, standing in the doorway, trying to remain patient in spite of what shed heard. Her hands clenched and unclenched, working with the urge to rush forward and grab him by the shoulder. She forced herself to stay still and wait with an effort.

Yes, Nerra? Kleos said, without turning round.

Tell me about the temple fountain, Nerra said.

She heard the older man sigh. Youve heard that story, then.

Lina mentioned it, Nerra said.

Kleos turned to her, looking at her with pity, but also with a kind of determination. And now youre wondering why I am not sending everyone here to drink those waters?

I… yes, Nerra admitted. If something like that existed, why wouldnt everyone know? Why werent all those like her being sent to be cured?

Because the story is not true, Kleos said. There is a temple, and there are waters, but those waters are not a cure.

But why? Nerra said. Why is there even a story?

Kleos moved back to sit at the table there. It is hard to be sure, he said. It is said that the temple was once intended to be an attempt to cure the sickness, back in the days when dragons were more common outside of Sarrass. It is even said that it worked, although I am not sure if I believe that. I do know that the waters were cursed.

Cursed? Nerra said. You dont believe in healing waters, but you believe in curses?

Ive seen enough evidence of this one, Kleos said. The waters are death, Nerra. I have seen dozens, hundreds, try them. All have died.

So theyre poisoned? Nerra asked. Instantly, she found herself thinking of the herbs she knew so much about, and the ways the world held to counter poisons.

Not poisoned, cursed, Kleos said. He sighed again. These are stories out of the oldest days, half-remembered things. Some say that dragons ruled in those days, or those who sided with them, it is not clear. Some say that the Slate River only exists because of dragon fire in the wars to be rid of that rule. Those were days of things that could not happen now.