"My room is impeccable, unlike your rat's nest.”
"That's your catalyst. Or something like it.” He stepped back. "Beauty. Even if you had nothing to prove, I think you'd still love being an elegant lady.”
Frowning, I stared at my palm, at the creases on my skin, as though they could give me answers.
Was Liam right? Did he know me better than I knew him?
Could my catalyst really be something so simple, so shallow? Surely not . . .
Liam looked up sharply. Reese and Ferris had untied the horses but appeared to have started another argument. The prince lunged forward, grabbing the Paragon's arm with tight desperation.
Trotting down the porch steps, I joined them by the mounts and caught the last of Ferris' words.
" . . . shouldn't Ishii be enough?"
Guilt flashed over Reese's face. He looked over as I approached, but said nothing.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
Ferris released Reese's wrist. "There's a small town between Galasvar and Minsawa. If the entire southern border is attacked, they'll be wiped out.”
"As unfortunate as that is," I said. "Minsawa fares little better.”
Ferris' eyes hardened. "Killian died doing what Paragons are supposed to do. They appear where nobles and lords deign not to."
Reese released a heavy exhale. My heart climbed up into my throat when I realized what he was about to say.
"He's right," Reese said. "I can't leave them to fight alone. They could use our aid more than Minsawa—they already have a Paragon with them.” He tugged on his horse's reins, leading her away from the inn. "We're changing course.”
Shoving down my fear, I grabbed Ferris' arm. "How small a town?"
"Just a little farming village," he said. "From what I understand, General Yuudai changed his mind about reinforcing the border, but he won't be sending soldiers there.”
My grip on the prince tightened. "Are you trying to get us killed?"
"We have two Paragons—and I'm a pretty good mage. But they have nothing.” He pulled from my grip and followed Reese.
My fingers curled into a fist. Exhaling, I pressed my hand to my face.
I was most certainly going to die, now.
Whirling on my heel, I jogged to catch up with Reese. "Why would we go to some doomed town? At least in a fort with another Paragon, we stand a chance.”
Reese tightened a strap on his horse's saddle and turned to me. "The prince is right. Killian died in Galasvar because no one else believed him. Because the lords refused to help. Paragons have always stood for the people—they walk where no one else will. Even if it means death.”
He spoke the words with conviction, without a flicker of doubt. He seemed taller, then. Brighter.
The picture of a hero, just as Killian had appeared, standing tall on the walls that would lead to his end.
Reese said Paragon weapons never chose wrong, but . . .
“What about Minsawa?” I asked.
“They have Ishii. He’s survived this job for a hundred years—this battle won’t claim him. Come on.” Reese brushed my shoulder. "We need to go.”
Touching my sword belt, I stood there in silence.
Liam led my elk over and handed me its reins. "I think I know this town they're talking about. It's about two days from here.”
