Something to sit with later in my immense amount of free time.
I shook off the feeling and the two of us entered the bedroom. The guest rooms were made up of a small sitting area in the entryway and a large four-poster bed, which took up most of the remaining space. Perched in the two chairs were Lex and his other Bonded, Sasori. Lex constantly ran a hand through the longer part of his dark-brown hair, lightly tugging at the ends as his leg bounced, his deep-brown eyes trained on the doorway. Sasori sat stock-still and straight, clenching and unclenching her hand that rested on Lex’s leg. As soon as Ilyas entered the room, Lex pulled his hand from his hair and ceased his bouncing while Sasori’s body visibly relaxed and she loosened her grip on his thigh.
The connection between them, and worry for Ilyas, was palpable. I was struck again at how naturally their triad worked, even though only Ilyas was a True Bond. Lex treated both Ilyas and Sasori the same, never showing preference or favoritism to Ilyas and often consulting both of them in decisions that a Mage would usually make on their own. I was suddenly grateful to have a man like Lex as a Mage, both at the Academy and as a loyal friend to both Alois and me.
I glanced about the room quickly, noting the hulking frame of a man in the bed, the Healer applying some sort of salve to his face.
He’s bigger than Ilyas!The man quite literally looked like a boulder.Do they make all of them that big in the Borderlands?
Alois was standing sentry next to the bed, leaning against the window like a shadow. He nodded at me in acknowledgement, and I made my way over to him, but not before stopping by Lex and gently clasping his shoulder.
“Thank you,” I said.
He huffed a laugh. “You quite literally pay me to do this, General.” But his expression showed his gratitude.
“Take the rest of the night off, all three of you. And take a late morning tomorrow. I’m certain we can rearrange some of your lessons.” I made sureto make eye contact with each of his Vessels as a sign of respect. Both Ilyas and Sasori bowed their heads in response.
“Thank you, sir. If that’s all?” He stood from his chair, his Vessels quickly copying his moves.
I nodded and he offered a slight bow before the three of them made for the door.
“I can think ofsomany ways to use these off hours,” I heard Ilyas say as both Sasori and Lex laughed in response.
I guess the rumors really are true about them. I was hit with a sudden pang of longing for that. Not necessarily for a triad, but for a Bonded Vessel. A True Bond. Someone to share my magic, my bed, my secrets and hopes with.
Alois caught my eye, and my want must’ve been written on my face because he gave me a pitying look. I quickly schooled my features, tamping down the desire for something I couldn’t have, at least not right now.
“What’s the status?” I asked Alois as I slid against the window next to him.
Alois blew out a breath, his black hair rumpled from sleep and his clothes slightly askew.
“Mage Sickness, first stage. We’re doing what we can to prolong it, but it’s not good. We’ve never brought someone back before,” he said, never taking his eyes from the bed. “Though if anyone deserves it, it’s probably him. Using all his power like that? Knowing he’d burn out and get the sickness, on the off chance that he could save some of his village? That’s loyalty and dedication that most people lack.”
Alois wasn’t wrong, we did lack that type of dedication, especially in our newest Mage recruits. There was less faith and more disgruntlement about the state of Elyria.
“We could force a Bond, but there’s no guarantee it would stick. Or even work,” Alois said. “We’ve never tried it before, but the healers are going to convene this week and discuss it.” He blew out another breath. “You know, if we had someone to decipher those texts, we could have a way to prevent this.”
I grunted in agreement. “And I wouldn’t be buried in paperwork and accosted by Gene and Art every five minutes.”
Alois grinned. “They talked to you about Charise and Not-Charise, then?”
“Oh, not you, too!” I groaned and Alois laughed, but it died quickly.
“Are you prepared to move out?” His voice was quiet again as the Healer finished her work and began to clean up her supplies.
“Yes,” I said. “I wanted to verify Mage numbers and designations with you before sounding the alarm. Once we’re done here, I’ll have the commanders get everyone ready to leave by midday.” It would be a whirlwind and an intense morning, but it wasn’t an unreasonable time goal.
Alois nodded his head. “We’re going in blind, Rohak, so bring who and what you need.”
I thanked him before moving to the door.
“Oh, and Rohak? Be careful. This whole situation feels . . . off in some way. What the boy said was true, and it unnerves me that our Mages who were already there couldn’t hold them off. I’m thinking there has to be one ofherhigher-ups with them.”
I stopped walking and rested my hand against the door frame. “I think you’re right, Alois. But that concerns me even more. What doesshewant with a little backwater town in the Borderlands?”
“What did we want with a little backwater town in the Borderlands?”
“Touché, Alois,” I responded.
