The infernal horde was on the march just a few hours later. I’d retrieved the Fatesworn garrisoning Darkreign Keep back into Haven, and joined Luke at the front of the horde, riding Fable with Borealis in my lap. Fyren and the apostle walked strangely close, murmuring together in low voices. My ears twitched with curiosity, but I held myself, not wanting to intrude. If it concerned me, they would have included me.

Darkreign Keep was a few days’ travel from the border of Radia, in territory that had once belonged to the Beast Kingdom. Perhaps that was where the ancient fortifications had arisen from. Not that it had done the church any more good than the original builders.

The land was sloping and uneven. Our path took us around winding rivers and sloping mountain ranges that reminded me of the mountains Soltair, Trithe, and I had traveled through at the beginning of our journey. It felt so very long ago, but as the hours crawled by, I was caught reminiscing. It had been a long time since I’d heard or seen anything of her, but it felt strange that I might see her again. Her and Soltair.

I tried not to think about him, but his smile and shining eyes wormed their way into my mind. It had been years since we’d last met, and in the few times I’d seen him in vision, it was like looking at a different person than the one I remembered. The Soltair in my memories was warm and strong, troubled, but always trying to do the right thing. Even when he’d placed me in a slave wagon, alone and enslaved, he seemed earnest and sincere. Like he truly believed it was best for both of us. That memory was even colder than the winter storms that had nearly claimed my life because of that.

I hugged Borealis closer, and he cawed softly, rubbing against me. His warmth radiated through my dress, and I closed my eyes, resting my cheek against his soft feathers. They tinkled quietly, like tiny chimes.

I’d left Radia in chains, cold and forsaken. But now, coming back, it was different. I wasn’t alone anymore. I wasn’t scared.

Well, maybe I was a little scared. That was okay, I hoped.

Toward the evening, Fyren and Luke disappeared. I’d been studying my spellbook, holding it open atop Borealis’s back, and when I happened to look up, they were gone. A small thrill ran through me as I found myself alone in the midst of the horde. None of the demons seemed to notice, or if they had, didn’t care. But my chest still tightened, my tail twitching anxiously.

"Fyren?" I asked, calling through the soulbond.

"We’ll return shortly" was all the answer I got.

True to his word, as the sun dipped behind the horizon, the two returned. Fyren gave me a casual nod, moving with long, even strides as he always did. But Luke looked terrible. Haggard, with dark bags beneath his eyes and a limp in his step. He tried to smile at me, but winced, touching his side. His tunic was ripped, a blotchy bruise showing through.

"Luke!" I cried, stowing my book with a suddenness that made Borealis squawk. "What happened to you?"

"Just....training," he said, not quite meeting my eye.

"You look horrible! Come here, please," I said, patting Fable’s side.

Luke sighed, but did as I asked. I reached down, laying a hand on his shoulder, and soul cast a quick healing spell. His breathing eased as green magic flowed over him, and in seconds, he walked straight again.

"I would have regenerated on my own," he said, but there was no bite in his tone.

"I know, but you didn’t have to suffer until then. You’re not Fable," I said, raising my hand to pat his head. "You’re worth taking care of."

It was a little awkward, given I was riding, and he already seemed back to his normal self, but the touch was reassuring. My heart warmed when he didn’t pull away, even when a few nearby evolved demons noticed.

"What were you even doing training right now? Isn’t it risky to get separated?" I asked.

"As if anyone would dare wander outside of a city right now," he answered. "And I’m afraid I need all the practice I can get. I still can’t forgive myself for what happened in Darkreign Keep. I can’t risk losing you again, but right now, I can’t even hug you without fearing you’ll break."

"You’re not going to break me. I’m tougher than I look, you know."

He snorted. "You’re delicate and beautiful as a flower, Xiv, but every fair blossom rests on a fragile stem. This morning, when we....never mind that, I need to get stronger."

"So that’s why you’re training with Fyren?" I asked, looking back to the demon, who’d been listening to our conversation with an expressionless face.

"As pleasant as his sentiments are, there’s a very real need for him to push himself," Fyren said. "The jump from eighth to ninth level is unlike any other save the gap of ascension itself. A single slice of a sword can just as easily destroy a city as flick blood from the blade. Both body and soul must reach a perfect state of harmony with one’s will, else the results can be catastrophic."

"I can’t afford to make mistakes. I have to be ready for anything when we reach Amberhold," Luke said. "Everything we’ve fought for until now is on the line. I can’t afford to make another mistake."

We traveled for an entire week. The horde didn’t stop to rest, marching through the long nights while I slept on Fable’s back. Luke and Fyren spent more time training than talking to me, but I soon got used to the lonely boredom. There were always Fatesworn demons flying about, keeping an eye on me for Incinderus and Zephyriss, and a few were intelligent enough to talk. The rest of the time I spent studying my spells or training my soul. It had grown considerably since Darkreign and needed lots of attention. The last thing I wanted was to end up in a battle just like Luke feared, with no idea of my own strength.

The mountains thickened, forming a natural wall along our southern flank. The infernal horde followed in the foothills. On the morning of the sixth day since our departure, reports streamed in from my scouts of a large fortress resting in a winding valley leading into the mountains. An army of at least a hundred thousand camped in the land about it, dug in with trenches and makeshift fortifications. A small skydock was located in the mountains above, with three heavily armed skyships on standby. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Luke and Fyren left for their training as usual, ignoring my pleading to rest for the battle ahead. As I waited for them to return, I tried to read, but couldn’t focus on the words. Every step added to the mounting dread, the tightness in my chest. Just a few more hours, and we would be on the Radian border.

"Watcha lookin’ at?"

I jumped, letting out a squeak, as a voice sounded just over my shoulder. I spun around, clutching my spellbook to my chest, stammering as I saw Jessia standing behind us. Fable jerked, spinning around to face her, his lip curling in a growl.

"J-Jessia?" I stammered, my knuckles whitening on the cover of my book. "What are you doing here? I thought you--"

"Whoa, no need to look so nervous. If I wanted to hurt you, I would have already," she said cavalierly.

"But you were with Hag!"

Her eyes glittered. "Ah, you saw that? I rather hoped you might. You should be grateful. Do you have any idea how hard it was to convince her I had some sort of anti-scrying power?"

"You...don’t?" I tilted my head.

She grinned. "Maybe. Maybe not. But anyway, good work with Luke. I really didn’t expect you to come through, but you did. Things still seem a little tense around you two, but at least it’s a start."

"What do you care? You don’t even like me," I mumbled, looking down.

Her laugh made my cheeks darken. "Like you? I can’t imagine wasting time liking or disliking anyone. There are only two kinds of people in this world. Those who are useful to me, and those who are not. And a third, I guess. Those who get in my way." A blade appeared in her hand, flashing through her fingers before disappearing up her sleeve. "That kind doesn’t linger for long."

"And what is it you’re trying to do? Luke trusts you so much that he didn’t even consider that you’d join Rash’Alon. I don’t know what he sees in you."

Jessia clicked her tongue, shaking her head in mock disbelief. "So little faith in me, even after everything we’ve been through. You should trust Luke more. But look," she sobered up, though only for a moment. "I’m not here to justify my actions. I couldn’t care less if you approve of them or not. In fact, if you did, I’d take that as a warning that I’m on the wrong path. But I’m here because you kept your end of the bargain, and I always keep my word."

"So you’re not working with Rash’Alon?"

She gave me a flat look, and I ducked my head, rubbing my horn.

"I’ve been in Amberhold," she said, holding my gaze. "Their army is formidable, and their preparations thorough. The Sun, Fate, and War Hero are stationed there and ready to repulse the assault."

"Three of them?" I gasped.

"Seems like it. Oh, and one more thing." Her smile sent a shiver down my spine. "I found out something curious about the Lord of Amberhold. Turns out, he has a daughter named Trithe."