It’s what Kamari would do.
Let it go.
Nine
Stone
The desert thrummed with life as Aquila docked at the only port in the Outpost. Stone relished the liveliness of the desert-dwellers, even if he despised the Outpost itself. With temperatures too hot during the day, the small colony came to life at nightfall. It was well after midnight, but music clung to the sticky air as Stone led the crew to the tavern.
“So this is the Outpost?” Aesira joined his side, her eyes wide and drinking in the surroundings. Tents spanned either side of them, a few that could affordastrahad lights strung from their ceilings showcasing various goods for sale. Music and dancing, singing, and laughter spilled into the alleyway as Stone took a hard left turn.
“Is it what you expected?”
“Not really,” Aesira said. He glanced at her just in time to see a smile retreating from her lips. “Middle of the desert, no resources for days, I didn’t expect so much–”
“Joy? Life?”
She looked up at him. “Yes.”
“People make do.” He took another turn before stopping at a small doorway attached to an ancient limestone building. “Here we are.”
Aesira’s brows bunched as if she were about to ask a question, but Birdie and Bee pushed in front of them and swung the door open. Soft, sensual music spilled out from the open door.
Aesira and Nora took a step forward but Stone blocked them, clicking it shut.
“What are you doing?” Aesira asked, hand resting on the pommel of her sword. His eyes drifted over her armor, the cuffs hanging at her hip. He should have told her to change, but he had a sneaky suspicion that if he’d suggested it, she would have told him to fuck off.
“We have a long way to go, if we’re to find the king. The crew needs a night off from flying. And if there’s anything that’s universally true, it’s that people who drink also like to talk. If the king stopped at the Outpost on his way to Ravki, someone in there would have seen him. Might have answers.”
She relaxed her grip on the handle of her sword. “Okay, then why isn’t Patch here?”
“Someone has to stay with the ship.”
“Fine,” Aesira said, “well let’s go in.”
“We’re not going in there.” Stone blocked their path again. “Birdie and Bee will question any one they can. If you go in dressedlike that”— He scanned Aesira’s armor—“No one will talk.” He sunk his hands in his pockets and nodded over their shoulders. “So we're going there instead.”
“And there is?” Nora asked as they both turned.
“The Apothecary,” he said. He knew what they’d see. An unimpressive building that looked worse for wear, free from any signs, but like most of the Outpost, its beauty was hidden. Tucked away from undeserving eyes. “If finding Desmond is what you wish most–”
“Of course it is,” Aesira said.
“Okay.” Stone studied her face as she studied the small stone building across from them. Her dark hair was still windswept, the curls falling freely down her back, a few tiny freckles dotted over the bridge of her nose. She looked so different from the times he saw her in Vargah. More relaxed with her hair down. He liked it, more than he expected. Her posture, however, reminded him that she was not relaxed at all. Just as rigid as usual. “There”—he pointed—“is a way for us to narrow down our search. Let’s go.”
“Wait,” Aesira said. She pulled Nora close and whispered something in her ear. The knight nodded once, her bright red locks catching in the dullastralamps that lined the streets, and turned back for the dock.
“And where is she going?”
“Back to the ship to change so she can question people on her own,” Aesira said.
Stone shook his head. “You don’t trust my crew to get information?”
Aesira ignored him, taking the lead to cross the street. “I thought you knew where Ravki was?”
“You’re really good at changing the subject.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “You’re really good at not answering my questions.”
