Chapter 7 – Seven Versions of the Truth

Ash turns noon into midnight.

I reach the evacuation boats with the dragon scale still in my hand. One touch would give me a mount powerful enough to flee. It would also remove Rauk’s final choice from him.

I throw the scale into the sea.

Then I commandeer the island’s signal drums and confess.

I read all seven prophecies aloud, including the clauses I changed for money and the wars each version caused. I name Rauk as my first patron. I name myself as the person who kept selling the lie after I no longer needed his coin.

My network collapses in real time. Priests burn my seals. Admirers tear down my banners. Good. A reputation is only useful if one intends to hide behind it.

The confessions cool narrow paths through the lava. Citizens follow them toward the shore. The volcano does not require one grand truth; it responds to thousands of voluntary ones. Fishermen admit stolen catches. Generals name illegal orders. Parents tell children why they were afraid.

Rauk emerges from the palace carrying no crown. Before all seven island delegations, he confirms that his bloodline is invented and offers the fleet command to an elected council.

“The oracle is not solely responsible,” he says. “I built the market for her lies.”

The truth costs him his dragon fire. Golden scales fall from his skin and cool into ordinary stone. The main lava river hardens before it reaches the refugee harbor.

For one second, we believe it is enough.

Then the caldera collapses offshore. A final surge races underground toward the island’s populated center. We can divert it into the sea and create a killing wave for the neighboring islands, or let it cross the capital.

Rauk looks at the seven delegations.

This time he does not decide for them.