“If I fail,” Deckard returned morosely, “it could mean our deaths.”
Isla’s expression softened. “My dear Colonel, life is beyond our control. We will all die one day. If it is to be on this mission,we accept that. If it is to be when we’re old and gray, we accept that.Metá pe’la creá.”
Deckard adjusted his Bonding ring. “What does that mean?”
“It’s a Schonese proverb,” Isla said. “Death for creation. For something to be created, something else must die. Even if that simply means the death of old ways and mindsets. But life cannot come from nothing. Love cannot come without sacrifice.”
Sacrifice.
That was a common theme in the Alliance, it seemed.
The sun had completely set, leaving them sitting in darkness. A chill settled into Deckard’s bones, and he felt Evylin’s presence drawing nearer. The Warriors had finished their training.
Still, Deckard studied Auden and Isla’s somber expressions. “And you’re accepting of that fate?” he asked. “Giving your life for the Alliance’s aims?”
Auden shared a smile with his sister-in-law. “Wearethe Alliance,” he said, meeting Deckard’s gaze. “We are not an organization born of overlords but of men and women who are dedicated to a cause. So, yes, we’ll die if we must. For our cause and for the people we love.”
The sentiment weighed heavily on Deckard. His gut twisted, finding himself inordinately worried about the Alliance members. Auden, Ilain, Isla, Vayden, and Brea. They were willing to die, to sacrifice it all. He’d known them for such a short time, and yet he felt an unexpected ache at the thought of their loss. Perhaps it was the simple sorrow at the thought of any life lost. But if he were honest, he thought it had more to do with the fact that he was getting to know these people. Despite his distrust, he was coming to know them, and he had to admit the value of their friendship. To lose any of them would hurt.
As though reading Deckard’s mind, Isla leaned forward and caught his gaze. “Wearewilling,” she said, then her brown eyes twinkled even in the dim lighting. “But we’d really rather not.”
A light chuckle slipped out of Deckard. “I suppose I’d better learn to control my magic, then,” he replied, not feeling the wry tone he adopted.
“And you shall,” she promised.
But Deckard wondered if it would be in time.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
5TH OF RADIA, 1574
“Almighty, I love inns,” Rafferty said brightly as they left Gaatshead the next morning. They’d left early, barely taking time for breakfast, planning to make up some of the time they’d lost going south to the mountain pass before traveling north to Ephria City.
They traversed the dirt road, heading deeper into the east. Thom positioned himself at the back, intending to avoid early morning conversation. Instead, Rafferty and Vayden chose to ride on either side of him.
“Feather mattresses are far superior to dirt,” Vayden remarked through a sleepy yawn.
Thom slumped in his saddle, wishing they’d leave him alone.
“How much farther is it to Loclight?” Vayden asked.
“I haven’t the foggiest,” Rafferty replied. “I’m not much on timelines, myself. What do you say, Thommy-boy? About a week?”
Thom rolled his eyes. “Try half that,” he grumbled.
“Only four days?” Vayden pursed his lips in approval. “That’s nice. Though I suppose we won’t have much of a break from travel. The hope is to stay only two days in the city, then on to the Shires, yes?”
Thom nodded, suppressing a yawn.
“You should let those out,” Vayden commented. He settled his hands casually on the saddle before him. “So what should I expect?”
“From what?” Thom asked.
“The Keeps.”
“Ah.”
Thom and Rafferty exchanged a dry look.
