Crossroads
936 A.O.P.
One
TERILYN
Terilyn went through the motions of her training exercises in the empty estate courtyard denoted for guest use. The air was hot and heavy still, despite the late hour. Most of the estate’s servants were abed, the numbers more than halved since Joelle had left for Bellingham yesterday with most of her House. Only Artyom had stayed behind, overseeing their guests—Terilyn and other Blades who’d come to Daijal with her.
The only sound this late was her heavy breathing beneath the light of gas lamps. Sweat slicked her skin as she kicked and punched the air in a pattern that became almost meditative. She didn’t complete the final set of exercises, concentration broken by Artyom entering the courtyard with loud footsteps.
“I would think you’d be reviewing the itinerary for tomorrow,” Artyom said.
Terilyn eased back out of her lunge, flexing her fingers as she turned to face him. He was dressed in thin sleep trousers and a robe that was open down the center, revealing a bare chest that had lost its definition by way of rich foods and expensive drink. He stared at her sweaty form with disdain rather than lust, a change from some of the others she’d dealt with while in Solaria. Artyom, at least, knew what she was and treated her accordingly.
“We know the plan. It isn’t something we need to review again,” Terilyn said.
“I have suggestions on the timing. Thevezirsaid I should speak with you about them.”
Terilyn reached up to wipe sweat off her brow, flicking it off her fingers. “No.”
Artyom scowled, a thunderous expression crossing his face, clearly not used to being denied. He stepped forward, attempting to loom over her. Terilyn merely stared him down, not bothered by being weaponless in that moment. She didn’t need a blade or pistol to kill someone. Artyom seemed to recognize that, stumbling to a halt midstride.
“No?” Artyom growled.
“The plan remains as it is. If you’re worried about surviving it, you know when you need to leave the gathering.”
“You risk my niece’s life with how things will go. I do not want to leave her behind.”
Terilyn smiled in the face of Artyom’s seemingly affronted attitude. “You mean we risk your path to power.”
“Raiah is of our House.”
“The princess will be handled as we informed you. That will not change.” Terilyn made her way to the stone bench where her gear sat. She picked up a small towel to wipe her face and neck clean of sweat. “It is late. You should rest for tomorrow.”
It was a polite dismissal, one Artyom obeyed with an annoyed huff, but he left. Terilyn watched him go, making a mental note to tell Witten that Artyom may be a problem tomorrow. The House of Kimathi always did seem to want to do things their way.
Her televox chimed, drawing her out of her thoughts. Her braid slid over one shoulder as she bent to rummage through her bag, unearthing the televox from where it’d slipped to the bottom. Terilyn opened the casing to answer the call, Eimarille’s voice coming through clearly.
“Darling,” Eimarille said, the fondness in her tone bringing a smile to Terilyn’s face. “I’ve news from the east.”
Terilyn sat on the bench and reached for the pitcher of water on a tray a servant had kindly left her earlier. The water had turned tepid, but she still poured it into a glass. “It’s late. Was the strike force successful?”
“In as much as soldiers can be against starfire.”
“Ah.” Terilyn set the pitcher down, refraining from drinking just yet. “Caris was on the field, then?”
“Unfortunately, yes. The new grenade launchers proved useful in battle up until she melted them.”
“Were the soldiers able to capture her?”
“No, but our spy managed to deliver the professor to us. They’re en route to Foxborough.”
“If that is the case, then I will leave for Foxborough in the morning to oversee the transport of the prisoner to Daijal.”
“Are you certain you can leave Calhames?”
Terilyn tipped her head back to look up at the night sky above, some of the stars hazy from thin clouds limned in moonlight. “Joelle and most of her House have already left Calhames. The emperor’s final Conclave gathering is tomorrow. My intention was to oversee the morning preparation for the attack and depart once everything was in order. I can leave that to the Blades that are here. They will follow my orders.”
