Once we reach the mountains, we all breathe a collective sigh of relief. I’m not sure why, since enemies can attack us from all sides on the mountain path just as easily as anywhere else in Khyrrus. Kaelen says he feels like he can take a deep breath for the first time in ten years, now that he’s so close to home. I don’t point out that we still have to reach the temple, find the second key, and retrieve it.
He knows all that.
I smile, nod, and lean forward for balance as Cloud picks her careful way up the mountain. The road—more like a large path, really—is wide enough for the wagon, but Elianna refuses to drive it anymore, so Trick is on wagon duty, and the sorcerer rides a horse. I wasn’t entirely sure she knew how to ride, but she does so with the same grace and self-possession with which she does everything else.
Except magic.
I tried to talk to her about the incident in the wagon where she couldn’t even form energy balls, but she’s still coldly aloof toward me and not much friendlier to anyone else. When I catch myself mentally shrugging instead of stuffing myself down into a box of passivity in response to her attitude, I laugh out loud.
“What is it?” Kaelen, riding next to me, raises an eyebrow.
“I’m free. I’m finally free,” I marvel, fully aware I may be getting ahead of myself. A person can’t get over so many years of conditioning in such a short time.
“Youhave your papers,” he says cautiously, as if I may have forgotten.
“I know. But I’m talking about a different kind of freedom. And I spoke too soon; I’m not all the way there yet. I’m learning to be my own person, and stand up for myself, instead of cringing in subservience at the slightest hint of someone else’s displeasure.” I give him such a huge smile that he blinks. “Sometimes—most of the time—I’m sure there’s no chance I’ll be able to carry out this mission. That Artemisen made a huge mistake picking me. But other times … well, other times I actually believe that I can do this. With your help—with everyone’s help—I can.Wecan. I’m finally starting to believe it.”
“We have to believe it,” he says grimly. “For Karrina. For Valourian. For Altarra. Wemustbelieve it.”
Andras, wearing all white leather today for reasons he hasn’t disclosed, waits on the path for us to catch up. “Kaelen, have you been to the Temple of Knowledge before?”
“Never. The warrior scholars don’t allow outsiders to enter—at least they didn’t when I last passed through these mountains ten years ago.”
Andras frowns. “I’ve heard that, but it’s not right. The temple was always a place where scholars from across Altarra could gather to study and learn and exchange information. I wonder when this changed.”
“And why,” I add. “If the key is really there, maybe whatever evil is guarding it infiltrated the temple?”
“If that’s so, especially if they’ve conquered or enthralled the warrior scholars, this will be a far more arduous task than I expected,” Andras says, frowning.
“I already think it’s going to be horrible, so at least I don’t have any high expectations to lower,” I admit glumly. “I know this is minor and probably none of my business, but why are you wearing all white today?”
“White is a mark of respect. The Sylvan respect warriors a great deal and scholars even more so. Warrior scholars of the Temple of Knowledge rate the highest form of regard.”
Withthat, he rides to the front of our cavalcade to join Sergeant Neville.
“I can change into a white shirt,” I say doubtfully.
Kaelen laughs. “Once the scholars realize you carry the amulet, I doubt they’ll care much about your clothes.”
“Do we tell them about it? Or the keys?” I shake my head, answering my own question. “How will we know if we can trust them?”
“I guess we’ll have to figure it out as we go.”
Hours later, when dusk blankets the mountainside, Kaelen calls a halt next to a clearing that has clearly served as a campsite for many travelers in the past. The firepit is well dug and ringed with stones, and there are tree stumps to sit on. I’m so tired it’s taking all I have to sit upright on my poor, weary horse.
“I think we need to stop for food and sleep, after all,” the prince announces to general, if reluctant, agreement.
But Chitai frowns. “We’re only an hour’s ride from the temple. Why stop now?”
“It would be full dark when we arrived,” Andras says. “Not a good strategic choice. Especially if the Zhagarn have infiltrated or outright conquered the temple.”
“Plus, we’re all exhausted,” Sergeant Neville says, the lines in his face carved deeper than usual. “It’s never a good strategy to face an unknown enemy when you’re running on reserves.”
The desert warrior scowls. “Fine. I’ll take first watch, since you riverlanders are sotired.I’d hate for you to lose out on your beauty sleep.”
Before I can think of a response to this uncharacteristically nasty comment, she wheels her horse and sets off past us up the path. Andras shares a puzzled glance with Kaelen, then follows her without another word.
“We’ll take first watch on this side, in case anybody’s following,” Sergeant Neville calls out after them. “Me and Bern.”
