“I used to,” she admits. “When you first left, I wanted to followso badly, but... I’m glad I’m here. I’m glad I stayed. There’s an opportunity for me here that no magic could recreate.”
She’s right. Here, she has the potential to spearhead change for an entire country. A chance to make a better future for everyone who comes after.
“You’ll be more powerful than any wizard.” I grab her hand and squeeze. “You’ll be a Shykh.”
I STAY OFF THE MAINroads, stick to the woods and deer trails that run along the river. I’m not looking to come up with a lame horse, so I alternate between hand-walking Mo and Valar, and I switch who rides and who packs daily. Three days out of Crofton, I finally dare to breathe a little.
There’s been no sign of pursuit, no sign of Nik since the inn. Next town up is Barrowin, and by then I should be able to consolidate supplies. With luck, I’ll even be able to find a runner or merchant willing to return Valar to the Crux for me. Hell, maybe if I’mreallylucky, I can reunite with Vanya and Jessic, though that seems like a vain hope. With Nik tailing me, I can’t risk lingering in town long.
My mad dash from the inn cut my supplies in half, but keeping that much on me was foolish anyway. I think part of me was holding onto the idea that Olbric would pull some sort of grand escape andmeet up with me. Now that I’ve accidentally left all his gear behind, I guess that hope’s finally died. But at least it’s less for the horses to carry, and with grain running low, it’ll be best if I can send Valar back home. Keeping one horse on a trip like this is challenge enough.
A chill has descended over the mountains tonight, and the air around me is thick and heavy, threatening sleet or snow. It’ll be a cold, miserable night if I can’t find a good shelter. I’ve been through these woods, but I’m more familiar with the terrain between Airedale and Frostcliff, and at my current pace, we’re still a ways out.
The sun is getting low, but luck is on my side tonight. I find a rocky spot by the river that has a nice, big overhang to protect me from the worst of the elements. And a good thing too, because I feel the gentle mist of sleet against my face as soon as I dismount Valar.
I’m quick to get the horses taken care of, tossing a serving and a half of hay each and the remainder of their grain under the far part of the overhang. Hopefully that’ll encourage them to stay out of the rain. Last thing I need is for one of them to get wet and cold and colic in weather like this.
Fortunately, they seem content to stay put, and I move a little further into the overhang to set up my fire. The old stone pit shows I’m not the first person to stay here for a night, and I’m grateful to whoever left behind some dry logs to get a fire started with. It comes together quickly, and I shiver as I huddle close to it.
I’m too grumpy to cook tonight, so I just lay out my sleeping pad and grab some of the cold rations from the saddle bags. Those are getting low too, and I mutter another quiet curse at Nik, wherever he is, for foiling my plan to stay in inns for most of this trip.
But my surly mood is interrupted when the air over my fire ripples. I hold my breath, praying it’s not just a heat shimmer. And when Olbric’s face appears, I let out a laugh of pure relief.
“Gods, but I’m happy to see you,” I say. “Olbric, thissuckswithout you.”
The joy on his face warms me from the inside out. “And here I thought you enjoyed hiking up mountains for fun.”
“The Crux has spoiled me,” I say. “All I want is my bed, and you in it. Preferably naked. Maybe even hogtied.” Olbric flushes hot, and there’s a chuckle of amusement that definitely didn’t come from him. “Is that Cancassi with you?”
Olbric’s expression is sheepish. “I swear, I’ll explain everything, but before that, I... have someone I’d like you to meet.”
“Okay...” I say, confused, up until a second person comes into view of the sending. Damn near Olbric’s twin, even.
“Dom, this is my older sister, Samira,” Olbric says. “Samira, this is Dominai.”
“Oh,” I breathe. I never even imagined what it might be like to meet Olbric’s family. It always seemed like such an impossibility. “Tanish ta.”
Olbric beams at me, though I’m just glad to have rememberedsomethingfrom his attempts to teach me Cashir. Samira’s smile is so similar to his that I like her immediately. She replies in accented Strae, “It’s good to meet you too, Dominai. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“We’ve been catching up,” Olbric says quietly. “I’m afraid I have a lot to tell you.”
I take in the few surroundings I can see through the sending, but it’s like looking into water. Very colorful water, though, and no walls or curtains in the Crux are quite so vibrant.
“Wait, whereareyou?”
Olbric winces as he shares a look with Samira. “I’m in Cairish. In Marikadar with Arlon and the King. The peace talks with Immenbach are being hosted by the Shykhdar. I was made to come along as part of the negotiations.”
My stomach drops as I mutter, “Oh, fuck.” Then I remember the last time we spoke. That hesitation, that sadness hiding behind his smile. “Wait, you’re comingback, right?”
Olbric’s expression is pained, and the realization drops like a stone. Either he doesn’t know, or he knows and doesn’t want to tell me. I’m not sure which I’d prefer - uncertainty or an answer like an arrow to the heart.
“He will,” Samira says. “I promise that once the peace talks are over, he will come back to the Crux.”
I blink as I look at her, searching her face. There’s no hint of a lie on her, no placation. She means it. And I believe her.
I let out a long breath before I pull my cloak a little tighter around myself. I know I must look like a damp, shivering fool, and frankly, it’s not an unfair assessment. “I’ll hold you to that, Samira. Because I love your sibling very much, and I don’t know how to get to Cairish save for the long way there. Even though he didn’ttellme he was leaving,” I say, sliding my eyes over to him, “I don’t aim to say goodbye yet, either.”
Olbric flushes as he looks at me, but Samira’s smile widens.
