“Where in Ravos?”
“The capital, lord. They are headed for Colinas.”
Daris looked at Hermes finally, unsurprised the god stared back at him. A long moment passed as they locked gazes before Hermes pulled on his reins, turning his mount.
“Then we go to Colinas.”
An hour later, a hawk circled overhead in lazy passes before swooping low to land on Elias’s outstretched arm. The Liodari pulled his horse aside, and Daris and the rest of his men followed suit while Hermes’s soldiers rode past.
As Daris waited, Elias plucked the rolled-up missive from the hawk’s leg and handed it to Jason. Lifting his arm, Elias launched the bird into the air.
Jason read in silence. Lifting his head, he looked around for Daris.
“From Captain Athanasi. You won’t believe this,” Jason shook his head. “Sonah’s been found. She’s in Villadelle. With Fane, of all people.”
Daris tore the parchment from Jason’s fingers and read the message before handing it back to him.
“Captain Soros’s man just informed us that they have reason to believe Sonah is in Ravos. Terena and the others are on their way to Colinas to get her.”
Jason frowned. “That’s not possible.”
“Aye,” Daris said. “An army is also heading north to Ravos from Metilai. It’s a trap.”
“For what?”
“Terena,” Daris spat. He thought for a moment then looked back at Jason. “I want you, Trojus, and Elias to stay behind. Write back and tell Fane to meet you here. Then join us in Ravos.”
“At once.”
“Jason.”
His lieutenant turned back, waiting.
Daris leaned over as he glanced ahead. He couldn’t see Hermes around the circle of men separating them, the others pulling farther and farther away as the Liodari remained by Daris’s side.
“Say nothing to Hermes or his men. And if they ever ask you about the contents of the missive, tell them it was King Altos needing us back in Sparta, but that I sent you back without me. I’ll tell him I stayed behind to see Terena.”
“But if she’s riding into a trap?—”
“I don’t trust Hermes to continue traveling to her aide if he hears Sonah is safe nearby,” Daris said, glaring at Jason. “You get Sonah, and I’ll make sure we get to Terena in time to help her.”
“Aye, Commander.”
Daris galloped to the front of their column until he was alongside Hermes. The god didn’t bother looking at him, lifting a hand instead as if to tell him to proceed with his message.
“King Altos needs us to return to Sparta. Heylisian incursions at the border. I’ve instructed my men to return without me.”
Hermes’s profile was impassive. Daris rode beside him in silence for a minute, but the god did not reply.
Pursing his lips to hide his annoyance, Daris made to drop back when Hermes spoke.
“Why?”
Daris furrowed his brow. “My lord?”
“Why are you staying behind?”
“Terena.”
