“You’re not dying for me, Isobel,” he said.
She retreated enough to look in his eyes, then cupped his cheek. “Just keep your thoughts to yourself. People won’t like hearing you walk all over their beliefs.”
Sean rolled his eyes. “‘Welcome to the show’?”
She nodded. “Exactly.”
“Ah,” Kywyn said, stepping out of the tent. “I see we’re all present. Shall we walk that way?”
The Shaman heading Sean’s expedition materialized from the crowd and bowed. Sean had spent the previous days talking with him and Bowenn, learning what to expect on the other side. They’d wanted to send him with an entire corps of pixies, but Isobel insisted she be the one to protect and teach him. Nish and Bowenn had argued about safety, but Isobel stood firm and, after pulling theSovereigncard, got her way.
Unbeknownst to Nish or Bowenn, Autumn was dragging David alongfor fun. Kywyn just wanted to make sure they were safe.
“It would be my honor to lead the Savior in his first outfit,” the Shaman said. “Would you please reconsider another party member? With all due respect, Lady Isobel, you have been to Viterra but a handful of times.”
“What greater protection could you give the heir of Sidera than me?” Isobel asked.
The Shaman bowed. “None, my lady. It’s just?—”
“Between me, Lady Autumn, his father, theBlademaster, and the memories he inherited, Sean has more than enough protection.”
The Shaman looked to Sean, who only shrugged. Who was he to argue with the woman when she made such excellent points?
He didn’t need any more babysitters.
“Of course.” The Shaman bowed once more, his blue eyes dropping to their feet. Bowenn had instructed him to select a location of low risk, so he explained they were to hunt at a preselectedvillage faire, whatever that meant. “It may be tame, but I believe you’ll find some action.”
Autumn bounced forward and pulled David to her side. “Can we go already?”
“You—” The Shaman’s face flamed as he set eyes on David. “You plan to go with them?”
His head cocked. “Is that a problem?”
“It was not approved?—”
“It was approved by me,” Sean said.
The Shaman stared David down. “The warrior chieftain and Council Leader Nish should know?—”
“There’s no time,” Sean said. “We’re leaving.”
After another hug from Aunt Blaire—and a warning to be careful—their party set off toward the mist. The trail was the same Sean had taken on the way in, but after months in the realm, he hardly noticed the Luster and exotic plants. Kywyn, Isobel, and Autumn plunged into the haze without hesitation, but Sean and David paused at its edge.
“If something happens to you, they’ll kill me,” David said.
“Then let’s make sure nothing happens.”
He swept a hand through the mist. “How do you think it works? Is it a wormhole?”
“How does any of it work?”
David sighed. “Good point.”
“You ever come across an Indy before?” Sean asked.
“Not that I know of,” he answered. “None that attacked me—that’s for sure.”
They met each other’s glances sidelong.
