“Don’t be afraid,” Sonah was saying. “It’s all right.”
Terena stilled. The god turned back to face her and motioned her forward. Walking, she reached back to grasp his hand again, and this time, he didn’t let go.
Her heart raced as she made it outside, the light blinding, and she raised a hand to shield her eyes. She turned to look at Melanos.
Sure enough, Melanos stood at the cave entrance, dropping Terena’s hand to squint up at the bright sun. He hesitated, then took a step forward, and Terena’s tears stung as she saw his face. A moment more and he was on his knees, tears falling freely as he stared in wide-eyed wonder at the world. Sonah stepped up beside him, pulling her hand from his and laid it on his shoulder. He turned his head up to her, laying his large hand over hers as he stared back at her, mute. Sonah beamed at him, laughter bubbling out of her and Melanos joined her, his laughter ringing out around them, boisterous and wet with choking sobs.
Melanos’s joy filled the air and birds took flight. Terena’s chest was so full she thought she might burst, so happy they had done something on this trip that had her feeling this good. She looked over her shoulder at Rydon, who had come up behind her and clasped her shoulders in his hands, shaking her. His jaw tightened as if he was holding back his own emotions while he watched the god laugh.
“It worked,” Croak said in awe as he walked up to her left, and she turned when she saw Gabriol come up beside him. She turned back to Melanos and Sonah, the fullness in her chest threatening to burst her heart as she looked at Sonah’s wide smile.
Melanos ducked his head at last, lifting his hands to cover his face, and Sonah gave him a quick squeeze before she skipped to Terena. Fresh tears blurred Terena’s vision.
Impulsively, she grabbed her sister in a big hug, kissing the top of her head.
“Thank the gods something went right,” Rydon said, his voice gruff.
“Looks like you were right,” Gabriol said and smacked her shoulder. “You needed to fully heal. I’m glad we came back.”
“So am I,” Terena said.
“Big man,” Croak taunted, “Ready to go or still crying?”
Sonah gasped and Rydon slammed his hand between Croak’s shoulder blades. Croak yowled as Rydon and Gabriol walked to the horses. Sonah glanced back at Melanos before following.
Terena walked over to Melanos, crouching down at his side. “Do you need more time?”
Melanos shook his head, his face still hidden in his hands. At last he dropped them and exhaled, his face red and his eyes puffy, but he was still smiling. “No. I’m ready. Let’s get away from this cave and never return.”
A few milesaway from where they were to meet Daris and the other Liodari in Messene, Terena slowed Nyx to walk. Rydon was ather side and he whistled, Gabriol looking over his shoulder at them before clicking his tongue and pulling on the reins to slow his horse. The others slowed as well.
They had no horse for Melanos, but Sonah had volunteered to ride with him. They looked ridiculous. Terena sympathized with Sonah’s horse; the giant god dwarfed both the beast and Sonah. But Sonah had only smiled happily and rested her head against Melanos’s back as they rode. Terena suspected she much preferred sitting back and letting someone else do the work.
Before setting off for Messene, Terena had filled Melanos in on where they were going and why. Melanos had volunteered to join them. Once more, he reiterated his opinions on Pytho, but even he could not stand by while a child of Apollo was so blasphemed.
“Rider,” Gabriol called out, and Terena’s pulse skittered. She tightened her hands on the reins, straightening as she spotted the rider wearing Liodari colors. They urged their mounts into a trot, meeting the rider as he slowed.
The sun sat low on the horizon, bathing the landscape in rich oranges and deep blues, limning the rider in gold and hiding his face from view. As he urged his horse closer, Sonah gasped behind her, a bright smile on her face.
“Jason!”
The Liodari grinned when he caught sight of Sonah, and Terena smothered a smile. She saw Rydon and Gabriol exchanging smirks while Croak made a retching sound.
“Well met,” Jason said, his eyes crinkling. He nodded at Melanos and put his hand over his heart. “My lord. Looks like she figured out how to free you. Thank the gods you came, too. With three gods on our side, we won’t be as easy to intimidate as Solon thought.”
“He’s here?” Terena’s heart missed a beat.
“No, no,” Jason said hurriedly, holding out a hand to her. “Apologies, that’s not what I meant. Well.. you’ll see. Come. Commander Antonius awaits you below. We’ve camped outside of the city.”
They crested the hill and saw the tents dotting the field, a large oneat the center. More soldiers in Spartan colors stood in groups amongst the Liodari but Terena did not see Daris.
“How long have you been here?” Croak asked.
Jason shrugged. “We arrived last night. We’ve had scouts out this way, looking out for your arrival. Happy coincidence, it was my turn.”
Terena was watching him when he winked at Sonah.
“And when are we making the trade?” Terena asked.
