It wouldn’t be much of a surprise. Mount Ida was home to innumerable treasures.
“It’s possible,” Dyna shrugged. “The Moonstone disappeared after the War of the Guilds. There was a rumor that Captain Roizen Ida stole it from Azeran himself, though he wrote nothing of it in his journals. The Sol Medallion is on Mount Ida. Why not the Moonstone?”
“Let’s say you’re right. I’m waiting for you to explain what that has to do with us.”
“I think she’s searching for it, Zev. Even if I’m wrong, she’s alone out here in the world. Shouldn’t we ask her to join us?”
He inhaled a deep breath, smelling the fresh earth and crisp air, using it to keep calm. “Dyna, please don’t tell her about the map.”
The map to Mount Ida, tucked safely within Azeran’s journal, was perhaps the most valuable thing in the world. That island was a place of legend, full of wondrous treasure many searched for. Most wouldn’t hesitate to take it from them by force, and he would rather not have to fight a powerful sorceress.
“I won’t,” Dyna answered, much to his relief. “I knew not to do so without consulting you first.”
But she said so while glancing at the trees toward Cassiel’s voice. The setting sun streamed in through the branches, catching on her emerald eyes.
Zev patted Dyna’s head, proud of her caution, even if it was done because she knew how the prince would react. “That was wise.”
With a heavy sigh, guilt creased her features. “I could only hope for a little wisdom after the trouble I caused.”
She hadn’t meant to tell Commander Von about Mount Ida or the map, but neither of them knew he’d been spying on them in Landcaster. And now Von’s master hunted her. Tarn. Infamous raider, thief, and cutthroat. Wanted dead or alive by the Azure king, for whatever reason. Whoever the man was, he wanted Dyna. Zev sensed Tarn wouldn’t cease to pursue her. If he ever got close again, Zev planned to tear the heart from his chest.
“How much longer must we hide?”
“Until we reach the port,” Zev said as they made their way back. If they could board a ship out of the Azure Kingdom and put a thousand leagues between them and this new enemy, they could be at ease.
They arrived at the camp as Cassiel finished constructing the fire pit. Rawn spoke to Fair in soft Elvish while he brushed the horse’s coat into a velvety white sheen. Fair snorted uneasily as Zev neared.
He tossed some firewood into the pit. “We have enough for the night.”
With a murmur, Rawn conjured a flicker of flame in his palm. Soon the campfire was burning, and they were unrolling their sleeping mats.
Cassiel caught Zev’s eye, arching an eyebrow in question as if to say,well?
“We leave at dawn,” Zev announced. “We’ll continue on our way to The Port of Azure.”
“Good.”
“But what about Lucenna?” Dyna asked quietly.
“Dyna, she cannot come with us,” he whispered back. “You saw what she’s capable of.”
“But … what if more mages come after her?”
Zev sighed and kneaded his forehead as he warred with himself. Lucenna was a sorceress on the run. Her life was in constant danger. He wanted to help her, but Dyna’s safety was more important to him than anyone else’s. She was his priority.
“Whatever she is involved in has nothing to do with us,” Cassiel said, also lowering his voice. “We have our own troubles and secrets we cannot afford to share.”
Dyna sighed. “But what if we can help her?”
“I don’t believe she wants our help,” Zev said.
Rawn nodded. “If our presence makes her uncomfortable, then we have no business here.”
“We’re also short on time,” Zev added, speaking at normal volume to signal the end of that discussion. “We can’t have any more delays on our journey. How much further are we from the port?”
Removing Azeran’s journal from his pack, Rawn turned his back to Lucenna’s tent. “I believe we are about a week’s travel from it.”
He gently handled the black leather, careful not to disturb the cracked corners worn thin. A gold clasp kept the thick pages fastened shut. The fading sun shone over the embossed Astron family sigil on the cover. A crescent adorned with vines. Azeran had embedded a small part of his Essence in the journal, yet it was so powerful it hummed against Zev’s skin like static. Rawn passed Dyna the journal so she could whisper the passphrase and she handed it back.
