Birds fluttered about, singing their merry song. Barters boomed throughout the streets alongside the pounding and clanging of hammers from the nearby blacksmith. Children laughed as they played. Sweet aromas burrowed through the wooden floor from the stoves below.
Such a scene could be summed up with one single word.
Peace.
It had been five days now since Jakul's little tantrum in the throne room. He had managed to threaten his uncle one last time before finally collapsing unconscious. His limp body nearly took me down with it if it weren't for Scar. Together, we managed to ease his descent.
A mild smile tugged at my lips as I remembered Zeke attempting to occupy the gathering knights who burst through the doorway half-dressed.
That smile faded when realization that all of us should be placed on the headsman's block by now sent a chill down my spine. Instead, King von Knight simply ordered the soldiers to leave.
I took a sip of the black tea I had brewed. I still can't believe we're all alive and free.
That being said, our journey back to SwallowTail accompanied by the chimera daemon was far from pleasant. Upon the king's command, Solomon altered his appearance into that of an elderly butler and carried Jakul himself. Of course Zeke, Scar, and I immediately placed ourselves between them. Scared or not, all three of us were prepared to protect Jakul.
Each of us could sense the ancient aura surrounding Solomon. Our bodies trembled in the presence of such a being while Jakul slept.
I still can't believe an almost national-rank daemon wholeheartedly smiled at Jakul's slumbering mutters.
I moved over to the velvet-padded chair beside the bed. Jakul's complexion was still paler than usual. His cheeks reddened by fever. His body shivering from a phantom cold. Sweat drenched the towels underneath fine silk seats.
Everything considered, Jakul was recovering well.
I smiled tugged at the corners of my lips as I grabbed the travel satchel resting between the chair and bed. Old cracked leather grunted beneath my fingertips. Golden clips popped free. Inside laid an assortment of coin purses, ingredients, and extra potions. My fingers felt light searching toward the bottom.
Soon, a leather-bound book far too large to fit by any normal means rested upon my lap. I know he'll be mad, but I can't pass this chance.
–
The strokes of my lines fell in rhythm with Jakul's breaths.
Curtains frozen mid-breeze. Flowers soaking the sweet sunlight. Ruffled covers finely tucked. Every detail captured in this fleeting moment, right down to Jakul's gentle snores.
I was working on the finer details when those snores turned to pained cries.
"I'm sorry…"
Setting the charcoal and book aside, I wiped stray tears from his cheek. There were no wounds upon his ashen skin. Nor would magic that altered the mind would accomplish anything against his shattered mind. I carried an assortment of potions capable of healing either case.
But this pain feeds on deeper trauma.
I wrapped his hand within mine. "Calm your mind, my beloved. You are not alone against these terrors."
After a few moments, the faint cries returned back to subtle snores.
Sighing, I returned to my drawing when a rhythmic knock boomed from the door. A tired smile found its way onto my face as Zeke and Scarlett entered. Scar pulled over an extra chair while Zeke chose to sit on Jakul's bedside. Guilt lingered deep within his eye for not being by Jakul's side. My heart ached seeing the compassion Zeke had for Jakul, or was it past memories from my own past.
Sighing, I looked toward Scarlett who simply nodded when our eyes met, answering an unspoken question.
Zeke was the first to speak after some time. "How's he holding up?"
I found it admirable at how closely Zeke viewed Jakul after the two of them had once fought when a contract had been placed upon him by some nobles.
"His breathing has come under control so every mana-line is flowing as it should." I yawned from many sleepless nights. "As for the other concern, Orian's been watching the streets for any signs of trouble just in case King von Knight changes his mind."
Zeke nodded, though I could tell something was bothering him.
"Do you honestly think we could have killed him?"
The room turned cold as silence settled over us.
"If he were to truly lose control of himself," Zeke whispered – eye shifting between Scar and me. "would we be able to kill him?"
Pain shuttered through him at the mere thought of killing his brother-in-arms, but it was a question that had to be asked.
Zeke bundled sheets within his hand. "You both know what he really can do."
Doubt stirred within my stomach just imagining such a scenario.
Jakul trusted very few people. His shadowmancy was more refined than any common shadowmancer. Any would-be assassin would be discovered before they struck. They would be dragged into darkness, and devoured by the shadows themselves. Their screams lost to the void known as the City of Shadows – Penumbra.
And if Jakul would successfully bring an entire city into Penumbra…
He would reign supreme, an unkillable tyrant.
I said nothing. If that day ever comes, we are the only ones who could get close enough to do it.
Leaning forward, I patted Zeke's shoulder. "I can't answer that. And I know the two of you share the same feeling."
No… Such a burden should never fall upon only one person.
"However…" I moved strands of hair behind my ear and kissed Jakul's cheek. "If that bridge ever comes, we'll cross it together so none will bear such guilt alone."
I tried giving the most confident smile available.
Scarlett patted Zeke's shoulder before peering down at my sketch. "You know he'll be a bit upset."
I snickered. "I can think of a few ways to calm him."
My smile grew. Little does she know… I have a few drawings of Jakul stashed away.
Scarlett grabbed Zeke's chin, and pulled him close. "Just like I know how to get your cooperation."
A flush of crimson surfaced along the lines of his face when she kissed him.
I smiled at his embarrassment, displaying such actions in public. Zeke's image as a leader of bandits and rogues would be shattered if others saw him like this. Yet Scar used it to her advantage. Most of their arguments often ended with Zeke's submission.
Our fun was ruined by a pounding on the door.
The three of us looked at one another. Zeke and Scarlett immediately reached for the knives hidden beneath their pant legs. I, on the other hand, simply turned my gaze toward the window. There were no figures peering inward nor presence felt. Bodies weren't flying skyward from Orian's attack.
Nor was the door kicked in.
I allowed a quiet sigh to escape my lips. Closing the journal, I placed it to the side before rising from my chair. Zeke offered me his knife, but I politely declined. A small sphere of blood formed and hovered above my opened palm. Its smooth surface rippled before crimson spikes broke through. Zeke gave a defeated sigh at my weapon of choice.
Scar's silent laughter at his embarrassment was interrupted by another series of rasps.
I made my way down the corridor toward the door. A series of possibilities flooded my mind like a raging bull. Solomon could be on the other side, though that didn't seem his style. A group of knights sent to capture us was another possibility, but there was no unusual commotion from the adjacent stairway. The last possibility - though highly unlikely - was King von Knight coming to see Jakul's condition.
I opened the door just enough to see who waited beyond it.
My stomach twisted. Veronica!!!
She stood there, sorting through several parchments. Some appeared to be marked maps. A pen rested between her lips as her eyes moved across the pages, carefully studying each one. The parchment crinkled beneath her fingers as quiet words escaped her lips.
Her librarian-like attire made her appear more like a noble secretary than a knight commander.
She didn't notice me at first. Only after I cleared my throat several times did her attention shift.
"Hello, Nyxis. "She gathered each parchment beneath her arm. "I wanted your – and possibly Einor's – opinion on the route the council decided on taking toward Westbrook."
For a long moment, I considered slamming the door. The thought is tempting. But it wouldn't solve anything.
With a quiet sigh, I stepped aside. "Come in."
Veronica paused as she entered. "If now is a bad time, I can return later."
Her eyes drifted past me. Toward her brother. Jakul.
His body violently shifted beneath the blankets, as if fighting an unseen enemy. Painful pleas asking forgiveness filled empty air. Zeke immediately took Jakul's hand into his. Scarlett moved beside him, gently brushing her fingers against Jakul's cheek.
Neither of them spoke… They simply stayed by his side. Until slowly, Jakul's struggles faded. His body began to relax. And once more, he returned to peaceful snores.
My fists clenched, shaking as they did.
Dammit… I've never seen his terrors like this. Not until coming here. Anger slowly blurred my vision. It's all because of her… her and their uncle.
I slammed the door shut, making Veronica flinch.
"Might as well stay," I said coldly. " We can go over what's needed. Take a seat while I make more tea."
"But–"
I was already moving toward the small kitchen, trying to keep my anger in check. Then I stopped and turned back – the anger inside won.
In an instant, I shoved Veronica against the wall.
A blade of blood pressed against her neck. "Jakul is in this state because of you and your uncle."
Veronica didn't fight. Nor did she plead. She simply looked into my eyes. Then her gaze moved toward her brother.
"He suffers through a menagerie of nightmares each night." The blade pressed slightly deeper until a thin line of blood formed. "I should kill you here and be done with it."
Still… Veronica didn't move. Didn't resist. Nor looked away from Jakul. The silence between us was heavier than any argument.
Finally, I dismissed the blade.
Turning away, I walked away and stopped at the small stove. My eyes followed Veronica as she grabbed a chair. A faint green glow surrounded her hand as she healed the wound on her neck. I grumbled quietly while gathering cups from the nearby cabinet. When I returned, the wound was completely gone.
A bitter aroma filled the room. Guess I'll be making this more often now.
"You're right…"
Veronica's voice was barely above a whisper as she spread the parchments across the table. "We caused him a great deal of pain."
She didn't try justifying it. Nor did she beg for forgiveness. Instead, she carefully smoothed the corners of the maps. Her fingers lingering for a brief moment.
"I intend to atone for my part in whatever manner he deems worthy." She finally looked up. "But first… we need to discuss our route."
The largest parchment unfolded across the table. A map of western Aquera rested before us. A massive circular island occupied its center, surrounded by the four great continents. Smaller landmasses dotted the waters between them. Each continent, home to the various races of this world.
"The western continent," Veronica said, tapping the parchment, "is Gorgas. It's where we are now."
She reached for another map.
"This is all of Brael Crait." The second parchment unrolled beside the first. A red line had already been drawn. "We will be traveling northeast toward the port city of Westbrook."
I followed her finger along one of the major merchant roads. "Then we'll be taking a ship from there, right?"
Veronica nodded.
"A vessel has already been chartered yesterday. It'll carry us across the Xoraterryn to another port city called Winshaw." She hesitated a moment. "There we'll rendezvous with Lady Udreth's brother and his escort."
My eyes narrowed.
"Brother?"
Scarlett looked just as confused. "The princess has a brother? She never mentioned one."
Veronica took a long sip of tea before answering with a serious gaze. "Technically… she does."
Silence settled around the table.
Zeke cleared his throat, breaking the quietness. "What exactly does 'technically' mean? What kind of man will we be dealing with?"
Veronica silently lowered her cup. "He was disowned after the current Beastking – his father – reclaimed the throne."
No one interrupted.
"From what I've been able to gather, he conspired to overthrow the crown." She sighed. "And when that failed upon his father's return… he sold members of his own people into slavery in exchange for power elsewhere."
Scarlett grimaced. "Sounds like a pleasant man."
Veronica didn't say anything, rolling one of the maps farther open.
"Fortunately… he isn't the reason I came."
Her fingers traced across western Gorgas before stopping. She then pulled a pen from her coat pocket. One after another… she marked several crimson Xs across the map. No one spoke as she did.
When she finished, she leaned back.
"Each of these… was once a town. They've all been completely razed."
I leaned in closer.
"If you look carefully and consider distance," Veronica circled the marks with the tip of her pen, "the attacks are either expanding outward… or closing in… toward Westbrook."
I studied the map.
Known towns along the main merchant road remained mostly untouched. Villages from stationed roadblocks had not been so fortunate. It's always the same, caravans traveling protected routes remained untouched, while isolated settlements became easy prey.
Corentha… the closest marked town. Destroyed three months ago.
Veronica quietly rolled the maps together.
"Our current plan is to remain on the main road for as long as possible before taking a side route." She tied the parchment closed. "I'm hoping to know which one by tomorrow morning."
She drained the last of her tea before standing. "Until then… I'll leave you all to your business."
Zeke stood before helping Scar to her feet. "Speaking of, Nyx… don't you have a delivery?"
I glanced toward the window, noting the beauty of the sun's slow descent beyond the rooftops.
"Yeah." I stretched my arms above my head. "I should probably get going. The client's business is down in the Slums."
Turning toward the room, I slipped on the ring Jakul gave me that connected to the storeroom in Penumbra.
"Wanna come?"
Scarlett was already waiting beside the door, a brimming smile on her face.
I returned her smile before looking toward Veronica. "As they say, the more the merrier."
Veronica remained seated. Her eyes lingered on Jakul's sleeping form.
"I…" she hesitated – guilt shadowing her gaze.
"I don't think it would be appropriate." Her voice had grown quieter. "After everything he endured because of–"
"Veronica."
She stopped speaking.
I crossed the room and gently took her hand into mine. Can't believe I'm doing this.
"It'll be alright."
Her eyes slowly met mine.
"Though I don't forgive you, I think it's best we get to know one another." A faint smile tugged at my lips. "After all… Jakul and I are engaged."
For the first time since entering the room… Veronica smiled.
"So that's your relationship." A quiet chuckle escaped her lips. "I thought as much seeing the two of you together."
Veronica moved over to the counter, placing her cup.
A sudden warmth flared along the left side of my neck. I instinctively reached for it. For a moment I was confused at what caused it. Then I saw that Veronica was already trying – and failing – to suppress a grin.
"If we're going to get along…" A smile spread across her face… one so familiar that it caught me completely off guard. "...then I suppose that makes us even."
A tiny flame danced above her fingertip. She leaned forward and gently blew it away. The warmth on my neck disappeared. I stared at her before laughing uncontrollably.
Guess those mischievous tendencies run in the family.
The room felt lighter, though I did notice Scar and Zeke sheathing their blades.
Veronica quietly walked over to Jakul's bedside. She knelt beside him. Leaning close, she whispered some into his ear. I couldn't hear the words even with an enhanced sense spell. Whatever they were… Jakul smiled in his sleep.
Veronica gently brushed his hair back before placing a kiss upon his forehead. The tenderness in her movements reminded me of a mother comforting a frightened child.
She stood and turned toward us.
"If you don't mind a knight commander's company…" A warm smile crossed her face. "I'd gladly accept the invitation."
She looked toward the window. "I could even show you around Ironclad."
Together, the four of us left the room.
I lingered in the doorway for only a moment. Jakul slept peacefully beneath the fading light spilling through the curtains. I smiled gleefully. Then I raised a hand and blew him a kiss.
"Te Amo Aeternum."