They spent the rest of the afternoon guessing what the trial would include, all concerned with how dangerous it would be, the memory of the unconscious Durent man pressing heavy.
“Last year,” Kara said, “We had to find water sigils in the river. First to five won.”
“I didn’t watch last year,” Jax said. “I was on the trade route to Occarlia.”
“Me neither,” Sebastian said, lying beneath the tree’s shade, not bothering to open his eyes. Kara noted, with irritation, that his salve had eased most of the swelling. Relaxed like this he looked almost... tolerable. Kara frowned at herself.
Jax laughed. “Right. You weren’t even in Vallenna, were you?” he said to Sebastian. “Out freezing your arse off in the Ice Lands? Or was it cutting down rebels in the Southern Isles?”
“The Isles.”
“They say you’re the fastest blade in Vallenna.” Jax grinned wickedly. “Tell me that’s not the same reputation you have with women?”
Sebastian’s eyes flew open and a flush crept into his cheeks. His hand tightened reflexively on the grass beside him. He looked utterly at a loss. Kara had never seen him rattled before – a laugh burst out of her at the sight. Sebastian turned his glare on her instantly, as though she had betrayed him, but it only made her laugh more.
“I heard that poor innkeeper’s daughter in Port Cerula hasn’t recovered,” Jax continued.
Sebastian smirked. “She didn’t complain.”
Kara stopped laughing.
Gregor leaned forward, his gaze narrowing. “Not just quick. Ruthless, I heard.”
A tension appeared in Sebastian’s shoulders and something dark passed over his face, but it was gone so fast she almost thought she’d imagined it. His smile returned, sharper than before. “Sounds like they exaggerate,” he said. “Don’t believe everything you hear.”
“Modest, too. Gods save us,” Jax said, helping himself to more honey bread.
The rest of them chuckled – Thornes usually boasted of their victories. Gregor wasn’t laughing. Neither was Kara. They both watched him closely. Sebastian’s hand had shifted, pushing his sleeves higher, rubbing at the skin there. His forearms were a map of battle scars – old and new. All those years she’d spent healing wounds, and he’d spent the same time collecting them.
And Gregor’s word – ruthless – had struck a chord.
Oryen turned to Jax, interested. “So you’ve been on the trade route to Occarlia?”
Jax shrugged. “Yeah. We cross the Eastern reach for the end of summer trade. They pay a good price for Vallennan goods. Particularly Thorne steel.” He nodded towards Sebastian. “It’s worth the sail.”
“What’s it like?” Oryen asked.
“Couldn’t say, to tell you the truth,” Jax replied. “We’re only allowed to dock at one port and we’re told to keep to the ship – I’ve never actually set foot on their land.” He looked eastwards, wistful. “Very private people the Occarli.”
“I’m not surprised,” Oryen said seriously. “They shut everyone out during the Dark War, and they’ve not opened their doors since. Don’t blame them really. Time magic is dangerous in the wrong hands.”
“Yeah.” Jax shrugged. “It’s not like I’d try to use it. Vallenna made an oath. It’s forbidden. I respect it. I just want toseeit.”
“I’d like to as well,” Oryen admitted.
“I heard they can trap memories in bottles,” Jax told him. “Relive them. Actually relive them – not just remember.”
Oryen listened raptly, drinking in every detail and soon the two of them were deep in conversation, laughing over far-flung lands and odd customs.
“Well, I watched last year’s Water Trial, came with my son,” Morra said, her focus on Kara. “The sigils glowed the closer you got to them. Beautiful, but not exactly hard. Something tells me it’s not going to be that easy this year.”
“Not if the Earth Trial is anything to go by,” Kara agreed. “I wish I knewwhythe Council has allowed this.”
Morra nodded seriously. “They want to see strength, unity. I understand that but... what happened in that maze is something else. And no one will walk away, no matter how dangerous it gets. Who would dare? To drop out is to shame your House, your team. The Council have given us no choice.”
Sebastian made a noise that could have been agreement. Or a scoff. Kara wasn’t sure.
A distant bell tolled. Once. Twice. Four times.
