“Yes, Alois. You look like you’ve spent a week in a bath by the sea,” I returned drily.
He rolled his eyes at me and went back to glowering out the window. The carriage ride was smooth once more, so I could only assume that the Mage had either switched with another or had received a power-up in some form.
I absently fondled the crystals in my pocket. Some were larger than others, but all contained a well of my magic. They pulsated in my fingers—the call of ashes and embers heady—so I withdrew my hand, choosing instead to run a palm over my close-cropped hair. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to use my crystals or my magic during our stay in Hestin, but one couldn’t be too careful. Especially in the presence of Alois d’Refan. He was a man simultaneously feared and respected throughout Elyria, and he was also my best friend.
We grew up in the poorer section of Vespera before Awakening early and attending the Academy together. However, instead of taking an interest in battles and the movement of troops as I had, he took after his father and got involved in politics. As soon as he was made Lord of Vespera, he appointed me as the General of his armies, a job I took incredibly seriously.
“Tell me again why we are traveling to Hestin?” I asked. No matter how many times Alois answered me, I could never wrap my head around the importance of a mid-level territory and the Awakening of its lord’s daughter. The security alone for this trip was a logistical nightmare and not one that I thought particularly necessary or fruitful.
Hestin was already allied to us, what did this “diplomatic mission” matter?
Alois sighed before withdrawing from the window and settling back against the cushion of the carriage bench.
“As I’ve said,countlesstimes, Rohak, my presence is needed here.”
“So your informant said,” I countered.
“So he said,” he agreed.
“Under duress of torture,” I added. Alois rubbed two thick fingers against his brow, black eyes closed in frustration.
“Yes, Rohak. Under duress of torture. Why are you so hung up on this?” His voice was tired.
I blew out a breath.
“You know why,” I countered. It was a petulant answer.
“Because of the girl?” Alois opened his eyes again, resting his head atop his propped fist.
I gazed at my friend for a minute before answering. He was older than when he first took office, but it was wearing on him faster than me. Aside from our difference in height, Alois and I could almost pass as brothers. We both had dark hair and olive skin, typical of the lower classes in Vespera, though I wore my hair close to my head and he wore his longer, his curls coming to just beneath his ears. He had a streak of grey at his temples and was starting to get it peppered throughout. The lines on Alois’ forehead were deeper and more pronounced from the stress of his position. He scratched his deeply bearded jaw as I stared.
“What?” he barked.
I sighed before running my hands over my black pants. I chose to avoid the question about the girl.
“It’s everything associated with this trip. The girl is only part of it. Of course I’m...concerned about her role. But it’s more than that. It’s the number of things we have riding on this particular visit—so many things that can go wrong and derail all of our work and plans. There’s too many moving parts, too many unknown variables,” I countered for what felt like the thousandth time. My hand inched back into my pocket where I rattled the crystals between my fingers.
My magic exacerbated my already dark mood, the call to it growing more intense.
“No one can lie to me, remember?” The question was rhetorical. Of course I fucking remembered.
Alois was the last Truthsayer, the last descendant of the god, Kaos. Fifteen years ago, on Kaos’ orders, we created balance again between Solace and Kaos by nearly eradicating Solace’s descendants, though everything feltmore unbalanced than ever. There were so many things we had to be aware of at all times and too much room for error.
“We stopped attending nobles’ Awakening Ceremonies years ago. Attending just this one...it will bring unwanted attention. To everyone involved. You’re convinced this is worth it?”
Alois nodded once. “I am, brother.”
I scrubbed my hand across the stubble on my cheeks. We would be in Hestin in a few short hours.
I should shave before meeting these dignitaries and their child.
“Okay,” I relented. Alois did not seem surprised. He always won in our disagreements, at least in State matters. He, wisely, left the Mages and armies to me.
“Fantastic you could finally see it my way, Rohak. You always were a stubborn bastard.” I grunted in response. “Oh, come now, none of that! We have an ally to meet, lies to uncover, and a party to attend! You know how I love parties.”
“And you know how I don’t.”
“Yes, yes, it’s a logistical and security nightmare,” we both said the last part in unison. A smile quirked the ends of my mouth.
