Amelia sighed. “Still, I can’t help but ask. Are you sure that’s a good idea? Going to the Madlands, I mean. If something happened to you out there—”
“The Temple would have all the resources it needs to carry on without me. I’ve planned for the worst, though I certainly hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“I see.” Amelia gazed over steepled fingers. “If there’s anything I can do to help, I will. Our resources are thin, and I’m stuck here, but I’ll commit what I can.”
Smiling, Julianne said, “No, there’s no need. I only came to warn you of their presence, but it seems like you may have already been aware of it. Of the six that came to us, only three remain. I assume those three are the ones that attacked us on the mountain.”
Amelia gasped. “Attacked?”
“Yes. We almost lost someone, not from our party but known to our rearick. I couldn’t leave without telling you. Actually, could you spare a messenger? I need to let my people know what happened.”
Swallowing hard, Amelia nodded. “Of course. I only have a very few trusted guards, Marcus among them, though I’ve had him buried in responsibility training the new Guard recruits. I’ll brief those who need to know and perhaps put some feelers out for more information if I can. You’re sure there’s nothing else I can do to help?”
Resolutely, Julianne shook her head. She could see Amelia was stretched thin already.
Amelia nodded. “Very well. Please let me know if that changes. I’ll send a trusted courier to your room at the inn tomorrow morning to take your message. I wish you all a safe journey and a fast return. Stay safe, Julianne. Irth needs you.”
Amelia showed Julianne to the door. They hugged briefly, and Julianne stepped outside, the lock behind her clicking shut after a moment.
“And where has my intrepid protector gone, I wonder?” Julianne murmured to herself. She rounded a corner and caught sight of Garrett, leaning against a wall, deep in conversation. She froze, recognizing that blonde hair and easy posture anywhere.
“Oh, aye, there she is now,” Garrett said, gesturing her over. “Look what I found rolling ‘round the hallways of the Chancellor’s office.”
“Hello, Marcus,” Julianne said, using a meditative trick to slow down her suddenly racing heart.
“Julianne!” Marcus grinned widely. “I see you’re off on another adventure? And what on Irth happened to your face?”
“Just a mishap,” she said, shooting Garrett a quick look. He shrugged.
“Oh, he didn’t tell me anything. I just hadn’t expected to see you outside of the Heights again so soon. Are you heading back, or will you stay a few days? Perhaps we can catch up while you’re here.”
A hopeful lilt to his voice made Garrett snort. He raised his hands in defense when Marcus shot out a foot to kick him in the ankle. “Well, perhaps the young guardsman here will offer to escort the lady back to her accommodation? If so, I have me own business to tend to while we’re here.”
“It’s almost midnight,” Julianne snapped. “What the hell kind of business could you have now?”
“Well, it mostly involves a soft pillow and a lack of opportunity to stick me boot in me mouth, to be honest. If I may?”
Unable to outright forbid him from leaving, Julianne nodded. “We leave early. Be ready.”
“Aye, lass. Farewell, Marcus. Try not to get stabbed before I see ye next.”
“You, too, rearick.” Marcus waved as Garrett sauntered away, then turned to Julianne. “You’re going home already?”
“No,” she admitted. “I’ll be away for a while, actually. I’m looking for someone, a mystic who was last seen across the Madlands.”
Marcus let out a low whistle. “Jules, that’s not a trip to take lightly.”
She raised her eyebrows at him.
“I know you know it’s risky. I was just surprised, that’s all. Especially because I’m headed the same way,” he said.
Suspicious, Julianne narrowed her eyes. “Really.”
Marcus grinned. “Really. I miss it, crazy as it sounds. Plus, we had a remnant attack not long ago. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to go spy around and make sure they stay there in the Madlands while I find my own path. Since Amelia took over, the city has been getting much better. I like it here and all, but it’s so… boring.”
“Shouldn’t that be a good thing?” Julianne asked. “And aren’t you needed with all the things going on right now?”
“It is a good thing, really, and I know Amelia needs me, but I think I could be of better use out there. Even with everything going on, I think the people are safer now than ever.” Marcus shrugged. “I planned to head out to the border, see if I could pick up some work there, maybe find a small travelling party who are moving through. I spent so long fighting out there and never saw what’s on the other side.”
“Probably more of the same,” Julianne said. “People, towns.”
“Probably.” Still wearing that ridiculously charming smile, Marcus tapped his chin with one finger. “I have to go. Gotta make sure a bunch of whiny recruits are hitting the sheets. I wake ‘em up good and early. Take care, will you? I don’t want you to get eaten out there.”
“I’ll be fine. Garrett’s coming, and we both know he can fight. Others, too,” she added, once again feeling the chafe of her solitary journey becoming a group venture. “Farewell, Marcus.”
Marcus hesitated, then darted in and brushed his lips against her cheek. She flushed, but before she could find her tongue, he was walking away.
Pressing a hand to her sternum to recenter herself, Julianne hurried away. It was late, and she would need to catch as much rest as she could before setting off in the morning.
18
A tap on the bedroom door woke Julianne with a start. The few snatched hours of restless sleep had made even her dreams tense and she jerked awake, then relaxed as she realized it was just the innkeeper, waking them as requested.
Rolling out of bed, Julianne pulled her riding dress over her petticoat. Throwing the few belongings she’d unpacked back into her bag, she nudged Bette.
“Time to go,” she whispered.
Bette sat up, then threw her legs over the side of her bed, inserting them straight into a pair of boots. She stood, stretched, and slung her pack over one shoulder before walking to the door.
“What, that’s it?” Julianne asked, wrapping the leather cord around her boots. “And I thought I was low maintenance.” She stood and slipped on her white robe.
“It comes with practice,” Bette admitted.
Julianne slipped into a light trance. She reached out to give Danil and Bastian a sharp nudge, but couldn’t help but notice Bette’s quiet pride at Julianne’s remark. It made the mystic smile.
Bette had been a pleasure to ride with, and was quick witted to boot. Julianne had a hunch that Bette’s presence would take some of the edge off of travelling with so many.
A thud sounded through the wall, and then came a grumbled curse. “Bitch’s oath, they’re loud.”
Julianne chuckled. “That they are. Come on, let’s wait downstairs. By the sound of it, we’ll be lucky if they don’t come out with their trousers on their heads instead of their backsides.”
Bette barked a loud laugh, then slapped a hand over her mouth. The two slipped down the narrow staircase and outside, whispering thanks to the innkeep as she stoked the fire for the morning meal.
It wasn’t long before the courier showed to take her message—just as Amelia had promised. She'd quickly scrawled it the night before, a hurried explanation of their encounter on the mountain and a warning to stay safe.
Stamping her feet to ward off the cold, Julianne waited for the others and sent Bette to start readying the horses. Bette returned only a moment later with a stable boy, leading all five horses between them.
“The innkeep planned ahead and made sure our horses were ready,” Bette explained.
“Ahh, thank goodness for small favors.” Julianne patted her ma
re’s neck, snuggling in to share the warmth.
The door opened and Garrett tumbled out alongside Bastian. Though Garrett was dressed and ready, Bastian’s pack still hung open as he struggled to drag his robes on, boots in one hand.
“Here,” Julianne said. “Let me help.” She took Bastian’s pack, then tugged the robe on properly. He gave a thankful smile and sat to pull his boots on, almost tripping Danil in the doorway.
“Oops, sorry.” Danil said. “Jules, you should have woken us sooner.”
“How am I supposed to wake you while I’m still asleep? You lot had just as long as we did to get ready. It’s not our fault you’re slow. You’re like a couple of teenage girls.”
“What did I say?” Bette remarked dryly, causing a burst of giggles from Julianne. “Here, take yer horse, Garrett.”
He did so, mounting quickly and moving away so the others had room to do the same. By the time they were on their way, the sun was just cresting the horizon.
Did your meeting with Amelia go well? Danil sent as they walked their horses to the city gate.
As well as could be expected. It seems the Arcadians have some issues of their own, but Amelia is strong. I have faith in her, she replied.
Do you think… Danil’s thoughts trailed off as something caught his attention. His face hardened. Someone’s waiting for us at the gate.
Julianne quickly reached out with her mind, then jerked her reins as she recognized the slim shadow on his horse by the exit to Arcadia.
“Marcus! What are ye doing out so bloody early?” Garrett called.
Butterflies danced in Julianne’s stomach. She knew exactly what he was doing.
“When I heard a party was headed for the Madlands, how could I not? I’ve been itching to return for months.” Marcus moved his horse forwards and bowed a greeting. “I spent years fighting at the border. Never once did I see the other side of it. I figured, now’s as good a time as any. If you’ll have me, of course.”
Julianne started to tell him no, that their party was full and they couldn’t possibly accommodate another, but she was cut off before she even had the chance to begin.
“That’d be just about perfect,” Garrett said. “Old Harker never meant to only send the two of us as guards, but what with all the last-minute changes, we couldn’t find an extra body.”
“And who’s paying for this extra body?” Julianne demanded. “I’ve already doubled my hire fee and paid an arm and a leg for the booking.” She prayed Marcus would take the hint.
“Oh, you don’t need to pay me. Like I said, I was going to head this way eventually, even if I had to go alone.” Marcus grinned, then waited for Julianne’s answer. Though his demeanor was nonchalant, she could feel his bated breath and his anxious hope that she would say yes.
She crumbled. Logic be damned, and bad ideas, too. She wanted him to come. “Fine. You’ve got your own supplies?” she asked.
“Sure do. I’m armed to the teeth, too. You won’t get through the Madlands without some magitech. Adrien was a dick, but he left behind some really nice stuff.”
“If you’re gonna brag about it, you’d better be sharing,” Garrett said.
“Of course! I’d never let a friend carry an inferior weapon.” Marcus winked and Garrett cracked up.
Julianne just rolled her eyes.
Marcus guided his horse so it fell in beside her as the party of six left the city. “I’m sorry. I put you on the spot, I know.”
“Bullshit. You’re not sorry; you planned that down to the minute,” she murmured to him.
He shrugged. “Guilty as charged.”
Julianne glanced away, only to catch Danil’s eye. Her heart sank when she realized, for the first time, he’d completely blocked her from his mind. Pain lanced her chest, and she looked away, staring at the road, lips pressed tightly together.
What had she been thinking?
It’s fine, really, Danil sent. Don’t worry about me.
Danil…
I just need a bit of time.
Cursing, Julianne nudged her horse ahead to ride lead with Bette, who’d taken Garrett’s place from the day before.
“What do you think—” Bette started, then caught sight of Julianne’s face. “What’s wrong?”
Julianne winced. It was unlike her to let her emotions be so visibly on display. As the leader of a group of people who could read minds, she’d long since mastered the art of calmness. Now, however, she was away from the safety and familiarity of the Temple, and dealing with emotions that were otherwise quite foreign to her.
“Just… men,” was all Julianne offered.
“Oh, aye. That pretty one?”
Julianne didn’t have to delve into Bette’s mind to confirm she meant Marcus. He was pretty, with those big brown eyes and floppy hair. His smile was contagious, and not just to women. Marcus had an easy air about him that made him easy to be friends with and invoked a feeling of trust.
“Aye,” Julianne said, shooting Bette a grateful glance.
“I suppose it’s a bit awkward, what with Danil mooning over ye. D’ye think anything will happen with either of them?”
“No. Maybe. Oh, hell, I don’t know.” She didn’t want to think about it either.
“Well, if ye ask my advice, and ye should, I say make ‘em both wait until ye know yer own heart. As long as ye do that, everything will work out.” Bette gave Julianne a reassuring grin.
“That’s very good advice, Bette.”
Conversation ceased as they reached the farmlands surrounding the city. They rode the horses harder there, setting a steady pace that would—with luck—hold over the next few days.
The grassy hoofbeats and sharp breeze made casual conversation difficult, which suited Julianne. She didn’t reach out mentally, except to occasionally check on their party. Instead, she concentrated on the ride, making sure she sat the horse well and wasn’t wearing the animal down.
They reached a stream when the sun was at its peak, and a brief discussion led to the decision to stop for lunch. Julianne nibbled at a strip of jerky while her horse pulled at the long grass by the water.
“What’s her name?” Bette asked, catching Julianne staring at the horses.
“Whose name?”
“The horse.” Bette’s eyebrows shot up when Julianne shrugged. “What? How can a pretty beast like that not have a name?”
“I don’t know. It never occurred to me. She’s just a horse, after all.”
“Bloody mystics.” Bette threw her hands up in the air. “Ye spend all yer time with feelin’ and thought, and never once spare one fer yer animals. I’m not goin’ another step until that horse has a name.”
“Gertrude,” Julianne said immediately.
“A pretty name.” Bette rolled her eyes. “Like Stardust, for the white smatter across her flank. Or Lightning, though she’s not overly fast. Hmm. It needs to be a gentle name, but one that’s strong.”
Julianne regarded the horse with skepticism. The mare continued to pull at weeds, looking unperturbed by her lack of a name. Still, Bette seemed insistent. The white patch under the horse’s belly merged with the patchy grey of her coat. “Cloud Dancer?” Julianne suggested.
“Perfect. You watch, she’ll be a right friend to ye now.” Bette stuffed the last of her bread into her mouth, then stood. “That’s enough lollygagging. We’d best be off, before we lose too much time.”
Garrett hoisted a groaning Bastian to his feet. “Give it a few days, lad. Yer ass’ll toughen up.”
“Not before it falls off,” Bastian muttered.
“Come on, don’t want to let the ladies show us up, eh?” Marcus winked at Bastian as he sprang onto his horse.
Bastian ignored him. He rankled at the new addition to their party, and seethed at the disrespect the guard had shown Master Julianne. He’d seen flashes of their previous encounter in Marcus’s mind—Julianne and Danil had both been locked down tightly since Marcus had joined them—and though nothing had happe
ned then, Marcus had felt Julianne was interested in him.
Bastian stifled a snort as he pulled himself up on his horse. Julianne would never associate with someone like that. The man didn’t have an ounce of class.
Gritting his teeth, Bastian guided his horse to the middle of the line. Once they were moving steadily, he slipped into a light meditation to numb the pain in his legs.
By the time they reached the Madlands, three days on a horse had both helped and hindered Bastian’s efforts in the saddle. His muscles were slowly adjusting and his posture had improved, but the relentless travel drained him of all enthusiasm for the journey. He was tired, crabby, and sore from head to toe, not to mention covered in grime.
The young mystic, lost in desperate meditation, didn’t notice the changing in the air until the horses stopped.
“No place like home,” Marcus said. He drew a deep breath in through his nose, wrinkling it at the acrid scent. He slipped off his horse and patted her neck, then tied her to a straggling branch. “We rest, now. Spend the night here and set off into the Madlands fresh and rested.
“But—” Julianne’s disagreement was cut off before it was voiced.
“Nay, lass. He’s right. The Madlands is not a place to wander into tired and unprepared,” Garrett said.
Julianne considered for a moment, then nodded. Marcus was already half unpacked, with his saddlebags open and a small lean-to on the ground beside him.
“Even here, I want eyes watching through the night. If one of those bastards wanders too far, it’ll be on us without warning. I’ll take first watch, Garrett the second. Bette can round out the remaining hours while the rest of you get some sleep.”
“I’d offer to take a turn, but…” Danil shrugged one shoulder and grinned. “Don’t think I’d be much use.”
“Uhh… I could take a watch. If you need me to, I mean.” Bastian looked thoroughly displeased at the idea.
“No, you rest. Tomorrow night will be different, double guard, all night. Enjoy it while you can.” Marcus smiled to take any sting out of his words, and threw his pack on the ground. “No fire tonight, or any night while we’re in the hot spot.”
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