We must seek the sanctuary.
I felt the word settle like a thundercloud over my heart.
The sanctuary.
Ancient. Lost. The last known place where fae magic and dragon kind once converged before the war fractured everything.
I looked to Zander. “He’ll live, for now. But if we don’t find the sanctuary…”
He nodded, already understanding.
We had stopped death.
But we had not defeated it.
We left the king’s chamber in silence, the scent of incense and sickness still clinging to my skin like a second layer. Thehallway outside was dim, torches flickering with the draft of shifting castle air, but the weight on my shoulders didn’t lift with the door closing behind us.
Zander walked beside me, his steps quieter than usual.
I glanced at him, still feeling the tremble of Kaelith’s magic fading through my limbs. “What’s Theron going to say when he finds out we helped the king?”
Zander’s jaw tightened for a heartbeat, then relaxed with a small shake of his head. “Letmedeal with Theron.”
I didn’t press him.
By the time we returned to the Ascension Grounds, the rest of Thrall Squad was gathered near the east edge, watching a brief sparring session between two of the newer cadets. The sun was beginning to dip low behind the cliffs, casting golden fire across the training field.
Zander called out, his voice direct. “Teren.”
The lowborn stood near the review platform, flanked by Luthias, Kaila, Camus, and Ayda.
Luthias moved with him when he approached.
The green Clubtail rider moved with casual strength, a blade slung across his back and a permanent scowl etched into his broad features. He joined us with a respectful nod to Zander, and to me.
Zander didn’t wait for pleasantries. “Have either of you had any luck?”
I glanced between them, uncertain what he meant, until Luthias answered.
“We found one,” he said, voice gravelly. “A Varnari outpost. Used to be one of Warriath’s. Now it’s theirs.”
My breath caught. “That’s more than a power grab.”
“They’re positioned east of the first ridge,” Luthias added. “And more importantly…” His gaze flicked to Zander. “We think they may have something to do with the king’s illness.”
Zander stilled. “What did you find?”
“Rotten supplies. Spoiled rations, tampered tonics, some of them traced back to castle stores,” Luthias replied. “But they didn’t come from Warriath directly. They were rerouted. Someone’s funneling poison through our own network.”
Teren looked ready to explode, but Zander ignored him.
“We need to recon the outpost,” I said, my voice firmer than I expected. “If it’s tied to the king’s condition, then we don’t wait.”
Zander nodded. “Agreed. We move now. Quiet. Fast. Only those we trust.”
His eyes met mine, and for the first time all day, the weight we carried didn’t feel quite so heavy.
Because we had a direction.
