“Actually,” he said thoughtfully, “they remind me of you. Small and prickly.” She glowered at him, and would have retorted, but Altair had arrived next to them. Emmeric ruffled her hair, and she unsuccessfully tried to bat his hand away. Laughing, he walked into her home, calling over his shoulder, “See you in there, Mouse.”
Altair touched her hand gently. Still frowning at the nickname, she turned back to him. He gently pried open her fist and deposited a small, black trinket in her hand. It was a miniature rendering of an ouroboros snake, approximately the size of a small pearl. Iyana had seen some pearl earrings on a merchant’s wife once as they passed through, and she was allowed to hold them. Unlike those which were cold, this was emanating a small amount of heat. It became iridescent in the sunlight, and she could not think of a single thing to say. Altair beat her to it, saying, “I took some of your grandmother’s ashes and condensed them into this for you, so no matter where you go, you’ll carry a piece of her with you. Plus, I know with Imo’s passing it may take some time for you to get the tattoo.” Gentle fingers stroked her inner wrist where the mark of healers should have been. The mark her grandmother should have inked into her skin. “This way you’ll still be able to identify as a fully initiated healer.”
Tears now streaming down her face, Iyana gaped at Altair. Even though she knew he was probably just being nice to her so she’d agree to whatever was going to happen next, it still felt like somethingmore. This was the most thoughtful thing anyone had ever given her. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Saying nothing, he touched a finger to the rounded snake devouring its own tail, and crafted a metal clasp. He took the newly formed necklace, placing it gently over her head and pulling her hair free. The side of his lip curled upward in the most authentic smile she’d seen from him. His fingers lightly traced over her collarbone before he, too, went inside the hut.
Iyana clutched the reminder of her grandmother close to her chest, feeling its warmth. She steeled herself and followed the men inside.
Chapter 9
Emmeric
Lounging on Iyana’s cot, leaning back on his elbows, Emmeric took stock of her home. It was messier than Imo’s—jars and vials strewn about with no organization. At least, none he could discern. Scribbled notes were on the small table, the hearth, and even the floor. He hadn’t had the opportunity earlier, but now, so close to where she slept every night, he noticed she smelled of lavender and an underlying hint of… closing his eyes and breathing in deeply through his nose, he identified the scent—coconut. There were no palm trees in Athusa, hence no coconuts, but he’d been eating them throughout their trek in the desert and found he really enjoyed the taste and smell.
Altair strode silently into the hut, not acknowledging Emmeric in the slightest, and Iyana followed a few moments later. Her eyes were bloodshot, and there were tear tracks dried on her cheeks. What in the nine hells had Altair done out there? Just a few minutes ago she and Emmeric were enjoying—enjoyingwasn’t quite the right word—but they were chatting amicably. He thought she might have been coming out of the numbness he knew followed a hard death. There was definitely a hint of a smile at some point, and she was angry about the nickname Mouse, so at least she was feelingsomething. Mouse really did fit her as a name though—not only was her personality similar to the mouse thistle plant, but she was also small, like a mouse. And since it seemed to make her angry, he was going to use it every opportunity he had.
She scowled at him as she noticed he was on her cot, but said nothing as she collapsed in her chair. Altair leaned, arms crossed, against the counter in whatEmmeric assumed was the kitchen, although it wasn’t outfitted in the style of the kitchens he was accustomed to. Silence stretched for a few seconds. Nobody wanted to be the first to start the conversation. Sitting up fully, Emmeric hugged his knees to his chest and rested his chin on them. “So…” he began, then found he was at a loss for words.
“So,” Iyana agreed. They both looked at Altair.
“I know this has been a lot in such a short amount of time,” said Altair. “Not only the knowledge dumped upon you both, but also the unexpected death of Imo. For which I am truly sorry, my star.” Iyana’s lower lip trembled only slightly before she bit down, clenching her jaw. She impressed Emmeric with her resolve—he knew many women back home who would still be curled in a ball sobbing instead of taking care of business. And there was something about the term of endearment,my star, that rankled Emmeric.
“Unfortunately,” Altair continued, “there is still much to discuss. Foremost, the threat to Arinem.”
Folding her legs underneath her, Iyana leaned her head into her hand. “I think that’s where you lose me, Altair. What threat is there to the continent? I understand we’re remote, but we do receive news, and I haven’t heard of anything.”
Altair nodded towards Emmeric. “Emperor Uther of Athusa is hells-bent on conquering everyone—Istora, Nyr, and anything beyond the borders of Arinem.”
Furrowing her brow in confusion, Iyana said again, “I’ve heard none of this.”
“I don’t have intel about Uther’s specific plans,” said Emmeric, “but I know he’s been having Zane and the rest of us marching down the borders of Athusa. We’ve raided more than one town, and stationed soldiers along the way.” Iyana frowned at him, opening her mouth. He raised his hand to cut her off. “I know, and I’m sorry. I’ve never been fond of the raids, but I felt there was no other option. Our choice is to follow orders or be tried for treason.”
“That seems a little extreme,” Iyana said.
“Uther deals in extremes,” he continued. “My friend Talon, Imo said she saw him helping to evacuate the villagers while the rest of us werefollowing orders,” he sneered. “I wish he had told me what he had planned. Most likely would have tried to talk him out of it… But he’s stubborn when he wants to be, and eventually he would’ve swayed me.”
“I didn’t see him…” said Iyana. “I apologize for assuming all Athusans were the same. Obviously, one of you has a heart.”
Emmeric winced, then smiled. “I’m not surprised you didn’t see him, since you were chasing after a fallen star.”
Altair chuckled deeply. “The boy is correct.”The boy?Emmeric hadn’t been called a boy in at least the past five years. “Uther has been establishing strategic territories on the border of Athusa and blaming Nyr or Istora for the attacks.”
“Emmeric?” Iyana questioned. “Care to explain how that is happening? And why? Considering it’s his own empire, he could set up literally anything anywhere he wants without blaming other nations.”
He sighed. “We’ve been sacking the other villages quietly and in plainclothes. Zane hadn’t been joining on those raids, instead riding in with soldiers a day later and leaving some for ‘protection’—the townsfolk none the wiser that these were the soldiers killing and pillaging. All to sow discontent in the people so they’d demand war.” Uther’s methods left a sour taste in Emmeric’s mouth, but who was he to question the might of an emperor?
“Imothia was the first village outside of Athusa that was targeted,” Emmeric continued, “and before you ask, I don’t know why. I don’t have that kind of clearance. And so it was also the first raid where we wore our official armor and rode with Zane. This may be a blatant act of war on Uther’s part, or, possibly, this was to be another outpost, only in enemy territory.”
The silence returned for another few seconds as they all needed a moment to process the new information.
“Okay,” said Iyana, running a hand down her face. “Power-hungry emperor, got it. What about the crown prince?”
Emmeric shrugged. “He’s definitely an asshole, and not someone you want to cross, but I think he’s just following his father’s orders like we are.”
Altair nodded in agreement. “We’re of the same opinion. He appears to enjoy staying away from his father as much as possible and only does the bare minimum.”
“How is it you know all this, Altair? And, honestly, why do the stars care at all?” Iyana asked. Which was actually a fantastic question, something Emmeric hadn’t thought of, but now was desperate to hear the answer. “No offense, but until yesterday, you were in the sky.”
