Vi gave him a determined nod.
They left at the same time as Baldair and his golden companions. The three men went after Raylynn, but Vi and Taavin headed toward their home. They filled Deneya in on their plans—she had just returned from trading a few more of their coins. The three packed their things and started off into the desert, toward the town of Yon.
It took Baldair and Raylynn nearly two weeks to arrive. Enough time that Vi and her company had bought temporary residence in a cramped apartment out back of a local metal worker’s home. Enough time that Vi could begin to listen to the people in town, and figure out who was a Knight of Jadar, who was in their pockets, and who supported the Knights. By the time Raylynn arrived, Vi was wondering how the clever girl who had gifted her with the idea of making her own crystal weapons had grown into a foolhardy woman. She was walking into the lion’s den willingly, challenging local combatants, winning handily, then strutting back to the inn where she and the prince were staying like she owned the town.
Vi was positioned by the window of their temporary abode. From there, she could see the inn. There was no glass, so she leaned against the wall to keep out of sight. Heavy footsteps approached—a familiar gait.
“Midsummer is almost finished being saddled. Prism is ready,” Deneya said, walking over to sit with her. “Any changes?”
“No, all is quiet.” Vi kept her eyes on the inn. Taavin had told them this was the town where Baldair died during Vi’s original time.But not tonight.
They continued to stare out the window and, for a moment, Vi’s eyes drifted to the dark-haired woman. Deneya was poised, quiet, and ready. There wasn’t a trace of doubt or the edge of restlessness about her.
“How are you not bored of this yet?” Vi asked.
Deneya shrugged. “What else would I be doing? Living comfortably in Risen? Getting fat off the Queen’s pension and taking my secrets of the Dark Isle with me to a faraway grave?”
“Maybe you’d be her personal guard?”
“That’s what I was in your time, right? I wasn’t an agent of the Order of Shadows?” Vi nodded. “I just don’t see it.” Deneya shrugged. “Me? A queen’s personal guard? No.”
“In a way, you’re the crown princess of Solaris’s royal guard.” She grinned at Deneya and the woman rolled her eyes.
“I thought you weren’t the crown princess?”
“You’re right.” Admitting as much had long since become easy. “I’m not. I’m just Yargen’s Champion, much less prestigious,” Vi said sarcastically and looked back to the inn and the quiet, dark night. “If you weren’t doing this—if you could do anything—what would you want to do?”
“I could doanything?” she asked and Vi nodded. Deneya hummed thoughtfully. Her gaze was distant as she looked out the window. “Maybe head north to Dolarian, the land of the Draconi. I’ve heard that some of them can breathe fire and some can even fly. Though there is no greater lore than—”
Deneya was silenced as they both looked at the dark shadows crossing the ground below.
“It’s time.” Vi stood, hastily leaving their hut. Taavin straightened away from Midsummer and they shared a look that said it all. She swung up on Prism. “I’ll meet you both after.”
Prism sprang into action with the slightest touch. He was a good steed, just beginning to get on the other half of his prime. He’d have good years ahead of him yet—Vi was counting on it. She rode into the dark night as the inn glowed red from within, like the waking eyes of some primordial evil.
Glass shattered and two dark figures leapt from a high window. Vi gave the place a wide berth, swinging around the town’s perimeter and flying over the dunes. She slowed Prism as she neared a side alley by the inn and jumped from the saddle.
With a thought, the fire that was now consuming the building was under her command. She could feel the inkling of magic fighting against her at the edge of her consciousness, but the Firebearer the Knights had employed was weak.
Stepping through a wall of fire and into the lower floor of the inn, Vi heard creaking from above, voices shouting. If they were shouting, they were alive. Acting on instinct, Vi sprinted upstairs and skidded to a halt. The fire parted, arcing around her, giving her a view of the man and woman.
“Baldair, Raylynn, come with me.”
“Who—” Baldair began dumbly.
Raylynn grabbed his hand and yanked him forward. Vi trusted her to keep the man in tow as she descended the stairs, pushing away the fire. She led them out the way she came. Prism was there waiting, not bothered in the slightest by the rising flames.
“Take the horse.” After years of riding him, she trusted the mount to keep them safe. “Take it and go. Do not seek out what has been lost,” Vi cautioned. It was the best she could do. She couldn’t outright say,the crystal sword is long gone. “Protect, instead, the weapon that has yet to be found. Do not seek the tomb. Do not let anyone seek the tomb.”
“Do I know you?” Baldair took a step toward her. “Wait, aren’t you… Nox?”
“This isn’t the time,” Vi scolded. Though she didn’t step back or give up her ground. “My control will waver soon,” she said with urgency, though she could’ve held the flames in position for a decade if she’d wanted to. “Go, go now!”
Baldair cursed and mounted Prism, but Raylynn continued to stare.
“Princess Fiera—”
“Go,” Vi urged.
