We begin down the trail that we walked yesterday, the lichen spongy underfoot, until we walk to the main cobbled path.
I follow behind her as she walks quickly through what I would assume to be the outskirts of the small village.
The rim of the vault we’re currently tucked in is high, really fucking high. I watch birds fly around the opening until they look like little flecks against the bright light filtering down.
“How long has this been here?” I find myself asking.
She glances at me before answering, “Hmm. I think at least a hundred turns? We can ask Naaveen, he’s the historian around here.”
How much had passed in the centuries I’d been imprisoned with Euron? What else in the realm hadn’t we known about. If The Hidden had grown this large in recent years under our nose, what about the kingdoms across the ocean?
Curiosity gets the better of me and I ask, “What about other kingdoms? Do they help The Hidden?”
“We have few allies in the Kingdom of Niamh, more in Rial but it’s very sparse honestly. For a long time, we just made do, but eventually when others in the realm realized that Euron was trading people for his own agenda…well they found us.”
This is news indeed. Niamh had started closely following along with the king. More and more ambassadors had arrived in the last few turns. Their monarch hadn’t crossed the sea yet, as for why, I was unsure, but I had a feeling it would be discussed with their plans to join King Euron during his masquerade.
“What are the thoughts of King Euron from what you’ve gathered with intel from those of Niamh?”
She stops, her brow raising. “What do I need to know in return about that kingdom?”
A grin slips across my lips. There she is, the commander of The Hidden. Her intuition and keen knowledge of the realm is one of the reasons she’s one of the heads of the council.
Getting closer as to not be overheard I begin, “Their king, he’s been getting closer to Euron, though it hasn’t been disclosed as to why. If I had to guess, it’s to form an allegiance, but what Euron could offer King Zephyr, I’m lost on.”
She nods but her eyes look distant.
“Interesting,” she whispers to herself, “an allegiance would make sense for Euron. Their military is expansive and known for being ruthless. I’d even argue their warriors are of the best stock. We’ve heard that there’s pressure on King Zephyr from his council, but for what we also don’t know. Something about a lost object that he seeks. So what would the king of Niamh need with the kingdom of Noxia?”
My brain begins to throb with each step we take.
Not because it’s yet another problem we’ll eventually have to face, but instead, I have a growing suspicion that King EuronknowsI’m not able to come to him.
“Honestly, Alora, I’m not even sure it matters until we can figure out how to ensure we both stay free. Euron will have sent Orlin to find me by now. We won’t have a Noxia to defend if we’re not here to fight for them.”
I rub my temples with the onslaught of a growing headache.
Her eyes focus on me, honing in on something changing within me.
“What will happen when we go to the capital? When the king demands you to explain your absence? Gods Kassiel, we’re not prepared for this.”
Her worry threads through the air, it’s almost tangible.
“We’ll figure it out, we have to. There’s no other option. Let’s focus on one problem for now. Where in the realm are we going?”
We’ve passed nearly through the entire edge of town and now look to be traipsing through massive overgrowth, falling under part of the rim that the sunbeams don’t illuminate.
The temperature difference in the new part of the cavern is surprising. Though the flora is lush and thick, the sweat that had begun to bead on my back now cools swiftly.
She continues to lead us forward through a haphazardly trimmed trail.
I grab my temple again and Alora pulls me to a stop.
“Will you be alright?” Her eyes crinkle as her brow furrows.
I nod, not necessarily lying, but also withholding some details.
“The tie between Euron and us lends me to … feel when he’s about to lose control.”
