“We’re likely there for the same thing. On the off chancesheknows something we don’t, try and get as much information as you can. We can dissect it later.”
I nodded once more.
“Oh, I also sent out the missive for a Rune Master and scholar. Hopefully we’ll have a paper pusher for you and someone able to decipher those books for me by the time you get back.”
Thank the gods.I smiled at that.
“One can only hope, Alois. I’ll see you soon, old friend.”
Alois grunted with a small smile, then went back to staring at the bed like he was trying to solve a puzzle that only he could see.
Chapter 34
Rohak
The road to Isrun was long, even with a dozen Earth Mages switching off every so often to keep the ground smooth. Not for the first time, I wondered how the Earth Mage from that backwater village was able to make the journey in three to four days. It was a puzzle I constantly pondered, and I had plenty of time to try and piece it together as I sat atop my horse, Balios. He was a giant horse with a coat and mane as black as night. Yet for all his fearsome exterior, he was a gentle giant who rode softly and often chewed at my hands in search of treats.
I absently patted his neck now as the quickly gathered force of Mages and Vessels made its way down the main road that connected most territories together. It branched off in places, but this was the main thoroughfare throughout the entirety of Elyria. Some, mainly those who still adhered to the old religion, said that the road was created by the gods to connect each of their earthly domains to each other. My parents were traditionalists and raised me with the same reverence for the gods that their parents raised within them. Even though I wasn’t as fervent in my belief as my parents had been, I still clung to some of the older traditions.
Like the belief in the gods and that they once walked amongst us.
And waiting for a True Bond.
At first Alois understood completely, especially with hisdirect connection to Kaos. But he still was reticent in his acceptance of my refusal to Bond and take a Vessel. I was holding out for a True Bond, one that would make my soul sing and blood hum, but with my increasing need for crystals and the real possibility that I might burn out if I didn’t take a Vessel, my hold on my family’s traditional beliefs was starting to slacken.
It was another thing that I had to puzzle through and come to terms with, soon.
I sighed and stretched my back slightly in the saddle. We were trotting the horses for a bit, allowing them to catch their breath, before we started a full gallop again. I had ridden my Mages hard over the last few days, anxious to reach the outskirts of Isrun and see the situation for myself. The lack of communication from our original retinue only increased my anxiety and agitation. By all accounts, we should reach Isrun by nightfall. We had just crossed into the Borderlands and Isrun was closer to the eastern border. I decided we would approach from the west through a small forest that separated the village from the rest of the territory. We could use the trees as cover to mask our approach and hopefully set up camp to run a few reconnaissance missions before attacking the rebel Mage force.
My head pounded faintly with the thought of an impending battle, the subterfuge and tactics I would have to employ, and the inevitable loss of life that would occur.
I was good at my job, and even liked it to some extent—especially the strategy involved—but I could never stomach the loss of life associated with battle. Balios whickered softly, tossing his head as he sensed my anxiety. I patted his neck again, making soothing noises with my tongue as I tried to quiet the riotous thoughts in my mind.
I glanced around, taking in the Mages with me on this mission. I chose only Mages with Bonded Vessels—I needed them to be at full capacity for as long as possible, and crystals were unreliable at best—and I only picked the most seasoned of Mages. Unfortunately for Lex, he was one of those Mages. He rode toward the back of the group, his two Vessels flanking either side of him, and he looked mildly amused. Though that seemed to be his permanent face.
I dropped back from the front of the group, content that the others would continue on this path until we reached the woods. I pulled Baliosnext to Sasori and we rode in silence for a few minutes until she gave me a strange look out of the corner of her eye.
“What?” I barked, more aggressively than intended.
Both she and Ilyas raised their eyebrows while Lex tried, and failed, to hide a smirk.
“Hello to you, too, General,” Sasori clipped, “what can we do for you today?”
“We’ll reach our destination soon,” I said, not really surewhyI had dropped back to be with Lex and his group and needing something to say.
Sasori hummed in response, and we sat in uncomfortable silence for another minute.
“I’m . . . sorry for pulling you away from your, uh, extracurricular activities to come on this mission,” I sputtered, my ears growing red.
That comment earned a laugh from both Ilyas and Lex and a grin from Sasori. A few of the Mages ahead turned at the loud disruption of silence but quickly turned back around when they caught a glimpse of my murderous expression.
“Sex,” Ilyas said loudly, and I shot him a wide-eyed look across Sasori and Lex. “You meant to say, sex, General. It’s okay, we all do it.” He grinned wolfishly, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
“Yes, well.That. I’m sorry for disrupting your . . . sex,” I muttered the last word, looking anywhere but at Lex and his Vessels.
I’m acting like a prepubescent boy who’s never touched his own dick before. And I’m their commander for gods’ sake!
“You ever have sex, General?” Ilyas continued, earning a sharp look from Lex.
