by Krista Rose
Anywhere that isn’t here. “To find Alyxen.”
“The boy in the Abyss?” Her fingers paused on her gelding’s bridle. “Are you serious?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“The Abyss is a nightmare, trapped between worlds. Only the very foolish or very desperate would try to enter it.”
I jerked a shoulder. “Then stay here.”
“No.” She took a deep breath, then finished saddling her mount. “If you are to follow this madness, then I will accompany you. I would usually recommend a Cedrani library to start, but I have been exiled.”
“Where does that leave us?”
“The great libraries of Men, I suppose.” She frowned as she loaded her pack into her saddlebags. “I have heard of three that may help us, though I may need to reference your maps.”
“Three?”
“The Imperial Library of Val Estus, which is closest. After that, Casidhe University in Evriel, or perhaps the University of Bryn in Tante. Both are famed for their knowledge.”
And they’re thousands of miles away from here, I thought with relief. “Val Estus it is, then.” I slid my foot into Nightking’s stirrup, mounting him in one swift motion. “Let’s go.”
Lyrel grinned, and followed me into the dawn.
BRANNYN
Foothills of the Errigal Mountains, Valory
It took until midmorning for me to get Sylvathi’s attention long enough for him to put me down. My fire had long since burned out, no longer fueled by my rage, and I shook with cold as we soared through the clouds. The birds looked at me oddly- a naked man dangling from the claws of a dragon probably wasn’t a fairly common sight- but I didn’t really care about their opinion.
Sylvathi set us down on the side of a desolate mountain. I had no idea where we were, but I was certain it was hundreds of miles from Fallor. I stared across the distance in dismay, searching for anything familiar. I found nothing.
I glanced up at Sylvathi, and pointed back the way we had come, wishing that idiot mage Torelis had at least unbound my voice before he had run off into the trees like a coward.
That is the way we have come from. Sylvathi’s voice rumbled wth amusement. We head toward the east, Brannyn, toward the fire of the dawn.
I shook my head, and pointed back once again.
That would be very foolish, since we just escaped from there.
I shook my head again, desperate for him to understand.
I know you wish to return to your family, but we must press on to Mejares. There is not enough heat here in this place for me.
I raised a brow at him, confused.
I am made of fire, he explained gently. If I let my heart grow cold, then I will become like stone, and die. Already my scales itch with chill.
I stared at him, dumbfounded. Why hadn’t he mentioned it before? But then I remembered my insistence to stay in Fallor, his reluctance.
I glanced over my shoulder to the west. Somewhere back there was my family, my friends, my duty. Could I leave them behind?
But then again, could I really allow Sylvathi to die to watch over those who obviously didn’t need me?
I sighed, resigned, and pointed toward Mejares. I prayed my siblings would be alright without me, hoped they would understand what I was doing.
And I wondered when I would have the chance to find some pants.
LANYA
I sat back on my heels, pressing my hand to my aching ribs. Late morning sunlight poured through the open tent flap, accompanied by a cooling breeze that dried the sweat on my forehead.
Quarius was sleeping peacefully on the cot, his breathing deep and regular with sleep, aided by the vertant Vitric had managed to procure for me. His cheeks were tinged with healthy color, his face no longer grey or strained with pain.
“Are you alright?” Dariel asked quietly.
I looked up, found him watching me with concern. My vision doubled for a moment, and I shook my head to clear it. “I’m fine.” I pushed myself unsteadily to my feet. “I just-”
The room spun. Black dots exploded in front of my eyes. I heard Dariel shout my name, felt him grab my arm- and then the world went dark.
LANYA
Fallor, Valory
Could I die from embarrassment? It seemed a logical question as I attempted to brush aside the men hovering over me in concern. My cheeks burned like fire.
“Are you certain you don’t want something to eat?” Vitric persisted.
“No, thank you,” I managed, and wondered if there was a hole somewhere I could dive into and hide.
“What about some water?” Tanner’s pointed nose quivered with worry. “Or some tea?”
“No.”
Dariel crossed his arms, frowning as I tried to stand up from the cot they had brought in for me. “You should lie back down. You’re still a little pale.”
I didn’t think that was possible, but I bit my tongue. “I’m fine.” I made a face as the medic-mage tried to peer into my ears. “Honestly. Please stop worrying over me.”
“You fainted,” Tanner reminded me, “like a delicate flower left in the heat.”
“More like a tree toppling in the woods,” Dariel muttered.
“Alright, enough.” Even my ears were blushing. “Yes, I fainted. I’ve barely slept in two days, and I’ve been treating too many people. I’m going to fix that, but I don’t need your help.”
Dariel raised a brow. “It kind of seems like you do, since you apparently don’t know when to stop.”
I glared at him. “Weren’t you the one that called me here to treat Quarius in the first place?”
Tanner coughed awkwardly, trying to get my attention. The medic-mage stared at me with wide eyes as he slowly shook his head, and even Vitric frowned, his brows drawing together in concern.
I ignored them all.
“Yes, I did, but now I’m concerned for you.”
I muttered a word that made the men around me blush.
Dariel scowled. “You know, you’re very rude for a healer.”
“I am not.” I smacked the medic-mage’s hand when he tried to pry open my mouth. “Stop that.”
“All these people around you that are concerned for your well-being, and you just brush them aside.”
I glared at him. “I told you, I’m fine.”
He stepped closer to me, his scowl darkening. “Are you certain?”
“Yes.” I stared him down, unafraid, anger seething beneath my skin. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to check on Quarius.”
“No, what you need is-”
“Mistress Lanya?” a weak, shaking voice called out, silencing us. “Is that you?”
I raised a brow at Dariel. “You’re in my way. Again.”
He flushed, and stepped back. I brushed past him, my anger still bubbling as I walked to Quarius’ side and forced a smile on my face. “How are you feeling, Legate?”
“Sore.” He touched his ribs with a wince, then rubbed his hands across his face. “I had the most terrible dream.”
I could all but feel the looks being exchanged behind my back, but I kept my voice light. “Oh?”
“There were creatures with white eyes. In the woods. Your brother was there, but he was on fire. And there was a dragon.”
“That wasn’t a dream, Quarius,” Dariel interrupted gently, before I could say anything. I resisted the urge to smack him.
“Not a dream? But then that means-”
“Yes, sir. More than a dozen of our men are dead.”
“What?” Quarius’ face paled, and he struggled to sit up. I placed my hand on his chest, holding him down until he gave up. “What do you mean, dead?”
“I mean that we’re burning the bodies now.” Dariel’s face was grim. “And we’ll be hanging one more if I ever find Torelis.”
“Au- Aurus?” the Legate managed to wheeze, still pushing against my hand in an attempt to rise.
“Aurus is dead. The Vampyres killed him. I- I found the body.”
/>
“Aurus.” Quarius quit struggling and collapsed back onto the cot. He looked suddenly very old, and very fragile. “No. It’s not possible. Vampyres aren’t real.”
“You didn’t believe the Vampyres were real?” I repeated, staring at him in confusion. “Then why did you ask me how you could find proof?”
“I thought it was a story you made up to protect your brother.” Quarius closed his eyes, the muscle in his jaw straining. A tear trickled from the corner of his eye, vanishing into his hair line. “I thought if I followed those men as you told me, I would find proof of their guilt. I thought that you lied, or at best that you were deluded.”
Tanner coughed. “You told him to follow us?”
“I was trying to protect my brother,” I reminded him, but couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes. “They were arresting him, talking about taking him to Val Estus for trial.”
“Lanya.” Even Vitric looked disappointed. “You could have told us.”
“I was just trying to do the right thing,” I mumbled, staring at my feet.
“It’s my fault,” Dariel said quietly. “I made the decision to follow you before I ever heard about Lanya’s suggestion.” He glanced at Vitric and took a deep breath. “Brannyn mentioned that you were his partner, and with him during the fire. We thought if anyone had proof of his guilt, it would have been you. I’m sorry.”
Tanner looked at him in disgust, muttered something, and stalked out of the tent.
Quarius tried to sit up again. “I need to check on my men.”
“No.” I pushed him back down. “You almost died, Legate, and your wounds aren’t fully healed. You need to rest, otherwise we’ll be burying you with your men.”
His face paled as he nodded and laid back down.
Dariel raised a brow at me.
I glared at him. “Don’t.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“I can hear you thinking it.”
“What am I thinking?”
“You’re thinking I should take my own advice.” I grabbed the medic-mage’s hand before he could poke me in the eye, turned a steely gaze on him. “Touch me again, and you’ll wake up two weeks from now with all your fingers on backwards.”
The man blanched, and ran out of the tent.
“You’re right,” Dariel agreed. “I do think you should take your own advice. I also think Vitric should walk you back to your tent, and that I will have food brought to you when you wake up. Do you like roasted chicken?”
“Um.” I blinked. “Yes?”
“Good, because we have salted pork, and if you close your eyes and wish really hard, it still tastes nothing like it.”
My lips twitched, and I bit back the smile. “I still don’t like you, you know.”
He shrugged. “If everyone liked me, my life would be very boring. Now, go get some rest. I’ll watch Quarius. I’ll make sure he doesn’t get off this cot if I have to sit on him.”
The Legate wheezed. “Please, don’t.”
I bit my lip, then nodded. “Thank you.” I turned away, and let Vitric escort me from the tent. The sunlight seemed extremely bright, the air far too clean. I took a deep breath.
“I really am sorry,” I told Vitric as he took my arm to walk me back to my tent. “I did tell the Legate to follow you. I thought I didn’t have a choice.”
“It’s alright, Lanya.”
“It’s just that Brannyn couldn’t even defend himself,” I continued, unable to stop the words once they had started. “They had magic on his voice. They were talking about a trial, about blaming him for the deaths here. They would have executed him. I know you were trying to help Felice, and I want you to help Felice, but I couldn’t let them take Brannyn, and-”
“Lanya.” He stopped, took my shoulders into his hands. “It’s alright. We didn’t kill Felice. She’s still out there. We can still save her.”
“But-”
“You did the right thing.”
“You think so?” My voice was small.
“Yes.” He smiled at me. “I would have done the same for my sisters.”
I nodded, and the guilt coiled in my chest unraveled. I realized I was exhausted, and yawned widely.
Vitric chuckled. “Come on, let’s get you to your tent before you fall asleep on your feet.”
I stumbled beside him, wearily rubbing my eyes. I barely noticed as we entered the eastern encampment, nor those who eyed us suspiciously as we passed among the tents. My head was full of thoughts about the comforts of a cot, or even the ground, anywhere that I could sleep.
Or at least it was, until we opened my tent flap to find Reyce on Kylee’s cot, his face pale and pinched as he looked up from a piece of parchment. His worry crashed over me, taking my exhaustion with it.
“What?” I took a step toward him, dreadful certainty already building in my chest. “What is it?”
“She’s gone.” He held the parchment out toward me. “Kylee left.”
VITRIC
Lanya’s face turned white, and I caught her before her knees gave way. “Kylee’s gone?”
I frowned at Reyce as I helped Lanya to her cot. “What do you mean she’s gone?”
“She left a note.” He held out the piece of paper in his hand. “Here.”
I took it from him. It was only a couple of lines, and I scanned them quickly as Lanya read it over my shoulder.
Since no one else cares, I’m going to look for Alyxen.
Try to find Kryssa, if you can spare the time.
-Kylee
“It’s my fault,” Lanya whispered. I looked up in time to see the tears began to fall. “I- I yelled at her. She was angry that I was healing the Legate. I tried to tell her that I couldn’t let him suffer, and she- she-”
I shook my head. “This isn’t your fault.”
“Isn’t it?” she whispered, and sniffled. “I- I tried so hard to hold my family together, but Kryssa’s gone, and Alyxen, and now Brannyn and Kylee-”
“Lanya.” I handed the letter back to Reyce, took her face in my hands. “Kylee made a choice. That’s not your fault. None of this is your fault.”
She stared up at me, tears sparkling on her lashes. “But if I hadn’t sent the Legate after the Vampyres-”
“Lanya, stop.”
She bit her lip, and sniffled again.
“We will find Kylee,” I said gently. “And Brannyn and Alyxen and Kryssa. You have my word.”
“Brannyn’s gone, too?” Reyce asked, his brows drawing together. “When? How?”
“Last night, and with his dragon. They’re on their way to Mejares.”
Tanner popped his head into the tent, frowning. “Have either of you seen Lyrel?”
“Lyrel?” I repeated. “No, why?”
“I can’t find her, and her tent is empty.”
Lanya’s eyes widened, and she gazed up at me. “Do you think she’s with Kylee?”
“Kylee?” Tanner frowned. “Why would she be with Kylee?”
“Kylee’s gone.” Reyce held up the parchment. “She left a note.”
Tanner read it, then looked up. “She’s looking for a way into the Abyss?”
Lanya’s breath hitched, panic crossing her face. “No, no, she- she can’t-”
“It’s alright,” I soothed her, then spared a glare for Tanner. “We’ll find her before she does.”
“How?”
“I’ll dream for her.” I forced a smile, trying to hide my fear as Eoct’s voice echoed in my bones. “Like I did for Felice last night. If I could find the Vampyres, then I can find Kylee, too.”
“Dream?” Lanya blinked, confused. “How do you find someone with a dream?”
“When do you want to go?” Tanner asked at the same moment, peering out the tent at the afternoon sunlight.
“It’s complicated,” I answered Lanya, and rubbed my temples as my head began to throb. “And now would probably be good.”
Tanner raised a brow at me. “You know Amandine isn’t go
ing to be happy if you use up all her moonflower.”
“It’ll be fine.” My stomach twisted. “We’ll go now. All four of us.”
Lanya nodded, and followed with Reyce as we headed back out of the tent toward our hobbled horses.
“Are you sure about this?” Tanner whispered, glancing at the others to be certain we weren’t overheard. “I mean, doesn’t this dreaming thing you do have limits?”
“Not like you’re thinking.” I shrugged off the image of a gleaming black temple rising from golden sand. “Come on, let’s go.”
It took only a few minutes to saddle our horses and mount them, and we were on our way. We passed back through the quietness of Fallor and into the Legion’s encampment, pressing for the fields on the far side.
“Lanya!” a voice called out, and I glanced over my shoulder to see Prince Dariel stalking toward us. He had removed his uniform, and looked remarkably comfortable in a shirt and breeches despite the scowl on his face.
I groaned under my breath, and Tanner kicked me.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Dariel demanded as he reached us. He crossed his arms and glared at her. “Didn’t I tell you to rest?”
Lanya raised a brow, and for a moment she looked so much Kryssa my heart ached. “Aren’t you supposed to be watching over Quarius?”
“I’ve got three officers in there making sure he doesn’t so much as sneeze. And you didn’t answer my question.”
Lanya rolled her eyes and huffed a breath. “If you really care that much, I’m going to visit my Great-Aunt Amandine. I haven’t seen her since we got back. And before you ask, I plan to rest when I get there.”
“Good.” He gestured to a legionaire, who scurried to bring him a saddled horse. “Then I’ll go with you to make sure you do.”
She flinched. “Ah- that’s not necessary.”
“Nonsense,” he responded cheerfully as he mounted. “It’s my duty as a gentleman to ensure you don’t collapse again.”
“I didn’t collapse.”
“Oh? What would you call it then?”