Sensing their game was over, Eva made herself comfortable on Sebastian's back. After a short while, she finally asked the question that had been plaguing her since their departure.
"Where are we going?"
That information is useless even if I told you. Without my guidance, I doubt you or anyone else could find it.
Eva snorted. "Underestimating us again. I think Reece or Shea would have something to say about that."
Shea especially seemed to delight in proving others wrong.
You have a point,Sebastian said after a moment of thought.
Eva smirked. Of course, she did.
"Do you know why they called me?"
It's what you were hoping for, isn't it? Well, it looks like you got it. Orion and his council are ready to talk.
"I figured as much from the abrupt summoning. Anything I need to know going in?" Eva asked, shoving aside her uncertainties.
They're not going to be happy you let strangers into the valley.
"They were Trateri who took a wrong turn in the mist. I couldn't exactly turn them away."
I believe you, but I don't think some of the others will. Be prepared, Eva. This won't be easy.
When was it ever?
Sebastian flew for a day and a night, only stopping to take periodic breaks on the journey. Eva wasn't a pathfinder but if she had to guess, his path had been rather circuitous. Full of misdirection and long detours.
Not that Eva minded.
She understood. She really did.
They were venturing into Kyren territory. For a group as paranoid and reclusive as them, it was an honor that they would let her visit.
Sebastian's less than straight forward path flight also had the benefit of throwing off any followers who might wish to track him back to Kyren lands.
After all, their enemies didn't need many Kyren to accomplish their goals. If their actions in the past were anything to judge by, they'd be content with any they could trap. The younger the better.
Sebastian's caution was understandable—though a tad unnecessary.
It would take a mountain goat to scale the vertical cliffs and sharp drops they flew past.
As the day passed, the terrain grew more impassable, making it nearly impossible for anyone who lacked wings to traverse.
Or maybe that's just how it seemed from the air. It was difficult to know without walking it herself.
Eva had to give it to them. The Kyren had chosen their territory well. They'd picked an area full of natural defenses. The rugged mountains and deep ravines would make it difficult for all but the most determined to find them.
It would be impossible for Fallon, or anyone else for that matter, to invade with a large army. At least not easily. And definitely not quietly.
Judging by the number of times he'd banked, and a few of the more distant mountains she was using as reference points, she had a feeling they hadn't gone as far as Sebastian wanted to make it seem.
Maybe half a day's flight at best.
Then again, she could be wrong. Navigating from air was much different than from the ground.
Pathfinding wasn't exactly in her skill set either. She knew north from south and east from west. In the Lowlands that would have been more than enough, but the Highlands were different. They had a way of turning a person around, making your sense of direction meaningless.
