“Well this is interesting,” says Aequa uncertainly, throwing a glance at me but not risking one over her shoulder.
“You can ask him to leave, if you like.”
She glares at me.
It is somewhat unsettling, having the massive creature following us like this, but after my time in the Iudicium with him, I’m not overly worried. He’s not stalking us, not trying to hide and not showing any signs of aggression. No mistaking him for tame. Just … clearlywithus.
We make our way along the narrow, twisting path, Diago a noiseless, looming presence behind. I focus occasionally, check for any signs of Will. There’s nothing, though. If there’s anyone ahead, they’re not more than a Septimus.
“Why ‘Diago’?” Aequa asks the question in almost a whisper. There’s a short, low growl from the alupi in response, and she flinches.
“It’s what I called him, when I saved him as a pup. I named him after a friend back in Aquiria.” I don’t look at her. Carefully infuse my tone with heaviness and hesitation. “One who … didn’t make it out.”
“Oh.”
I nod, and neither of us say anything more on the matter as I inwardly curse myself for not thinking more quickly when Diago appeared. Stupid not to think of some other moniker before I said it in front of Aequa.Stupid. But it’s done now, and Diago was hardly a unique name in the north. It makes me uncomfortable, but I’ve come so far now that even I have a hard time imagining anyone will put it together with my true past.
I hold up my hand, slow as the way ahead opens into the rubble-strewn clearing with the domed building in its centre. We duck off to the side, into the undergrowth. Diago follows.
“This is it?” Aequa squints at the building that sits amidst the collapsed stone. It’s late afternoon, shadows deep and at a sharp enough angle that making out detail is difficult. Trees and bushes rustle around us. “Doesn’t look like he’s left a guard.”
Before I can answer, Diago is pushing past us—Aequa letting out a barely muffled yelp as he brushes against her arm—and trotting into the clearing.
We watch from our hidden position as the massive wolf navigates the rubble with ease, head swinging from side to side. He moves with unperturbed confidence, leaping easily over boulders and fallen walls before continuing his circuit without breaking stride.
“Is he … scouting for us?” whispers Aequa eventually, eyes wide as they stay locked on the creature until he disappears behind the domed building.
“Surely not. Because that would be weird.”
She coughs a quiet laugh. “You’re right. Your pet alupi is probably just stretching his legs.”
I don’t answer, mainly because I don’t know how to. Her observation certainly feels accurate as Diago reappears, pausing occasionally to test the air but otherwise looking for all the world as though he’s checking the area. And when he completes his circuit he settles about twenty feet away, well into the clearing. Facing us patiently.
“I think he’s waiting for us,” observes Aequa, sounding as though she doesn’t know whether to be amused or terrified.
“Rotting gods.” I mutter the words reluctantly and stand, brushing leaves from my tunic. Whether or not he was scouting, anyone nearby would have spotted the alupi and made some sort of commotion by now. We’re alone here.
Aequa follows me out into the clearing. She grins at Diago as we draw near, looking like she’s going to give him a pat on the head. “Good boy.”
Diago bares his teeth at her. Her smile vanishes and confident stride falters to a stop as she snatches her hand back.
Diago snorts, then turns and pads toward the domed building. We both stand there and watch the alupi for a second.
“I like him,” I say eventually.
Aequa gives me a light backhanded slap on my right shoulder, and we head for the main building.
We reach the shadow of the colonnade without incident, stopping in front of the steel door. It’s not especially strong, but when I concentrate, there’s definitely a pulse emanating from it.
“The Principalis surely has a Will alarm on this.” Aequa’s studying the closed door dubiously. Going through the same mental process as I did the first time I saw it, no doubt.
I press my palm against the door. Feel the disconcerting thrum of someone else’s Will vibrating there, and take control of it.
Diago snarls.
Aequa and I both flinch and jerk around, eyes wide at the abrupt, violent sound. Diago’s hackles are up. Teeth bared. Watching me intently.
“Vis?” Aequa murmurs from the side of her mouth, frozen.
