Hagen considered her a long moment, and then his gaze flickered to Dorian. "Riots,” he said firmly.
Riots didn't exactly cover what they walked into.
Throngs of people lined the streets. Children ran up and down, between their horses and around them. Snow and mud were thrown at the group. Dorian's steed bucked a few times, and Dorian had to keep his legs steady to calm her down. At one point, he pulled his hood up after the soil slammed into his face.
But that only edged them on more.
Dahrkenhill was built into the side of a sloping mountain. Streets entwined as winding courses and separated levels all along both sides of it. Homes were built into the mountain on the outskirts of town, and there was a small square located in the middle where two levels separated the shops. But Dorian knew they were going to the bright circular Temple situated on the ridge.
Dorian tried to concentrate solely on keeping his horse calm as they climbed. He tried to ignore the shouts of the people surrounding them. But with so many, his chest hardened into a numbness he hadn't been prepared for.
The Blackhands werepissed.
When they arrived at the Temple, Dorian threw his cloak into the fire pit going outside the doors. He was soaking with snow and mud down to his skin. Starting to shiver so much that he paused outside the temple and lit himself on fire.
Hagen stared at him, brow lifted, apparently surprised the Prince would light himself on fire without warning.
"He does that," Corbin muttered upon seeing the High Elder’s confusion.
Hagen's eyes darted between the pair as he slacked off his own fur-lined cloak. Dorian didn't respond or look at them. His stomach was still knotted at the echoing taunts they’d just walked through. He shut his eyes tight as he returned to his usual form and pushed away the thoughts. Not thinking, he pulled the nyghtfire from his pocket.
"Not nervous there, are you, Prince?" Hagen asked.
"Is there a reason I shouldn't be?" Dorian asked after taking a gulp.
Hagen seemed to contemplate it, but he didn't respond directly. "Get inside. Snows will be coming down any minute now."
"Again?" Reverie asked, hugging her arms around her chest.
"Welcome to the mountains, little Dreamer,” Hagen grinned.
Dorian glanced over at her shivering figure. The whiskey was still warm in his chest, and he felt the knot in his stomach loosening. "Perhaps you could use some of thatfire Princenow," he mocked as he pushed near her.
Her eyes rolled tiredly up to his, and she snatched the flask from his hand. "I'd rather cuddle the Ulfram," she said before taking a swig.
"Ulframs actually do like cuddling," he informed her. "My sister could arrange that for you if you like."
Reverie pushed the flask back into his hands. "I knew I should have gone after her instead," she muttered before walking through the double doors Hagen was holding open.
Dorian didn't miss Hagen's gaze following her, forehead knitting as he took in her figure. Dorian paused in front of him, and Hagen gave a low whistle.
"That's dangerous, mate," he mocked, clapping Dorian on his shoulder. "You sure you're up for it?"
Dorian watched Reverie as she began to strip her cloak and talk to Dag. A slow smile spread on his lips, and he looked back to Hagen. "I've been training my entire life for her," he replied with a wink.
Hagen laughed. "She's going to maim you, and I hope I'm there to see it," he said. "Come on. I’ll show you around before the fun starts."
"Which fun?"
"The fun where my people decide if you get to keep your head."
Hagen led him through the halls, all the while pointing to paintings on the walls showcasing creatures they'd fought and secured. One depicted them executing Infi outside that very Temple.
The painting that Hagen was most proud of, though, was one of a great cat creature with a mane of fire. This being, Dorian was told, was the creature form of the Blackhands’ Architect, the Ghost of Fire.
Dorian hadn't gotten such a tour the last he was there, and he started to wonder why Hagen was presenting him with such a luxury. They'd asked Corbin and Reverie to stay downstairs. Dorian hoped Reverie didn't showcase her skills by further pissing anyone off while she was alone. But Dorian knew Corbin would keep watch on her while they waited.
Dorian realized why Hagen was pulling him away as they reached the fourth level over the circular hall.
