Chapter 8
CHAPTER
Days passed in a blur. The sparkling snow that covered the flight field in the valley only grew deeper. With Nori and Cairis now aware of our dilemma, it felt more relaxed, despite continuing to prepare for a secret infiltration of the southern kingdom.
Varro and I were sitting in the common area, surrounded by books, trying to appear as though we were discussing what we’d read.
In actuality, it was the Drift we were talking about when an unexpected messenger arrived.
I was on pins and needles, anxiously hoping we were finally receiving word from the south, but also nervous that we were finally being called forth to join the mission.
I wasn’t ready...although, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be truly ready.
A large scroll sealed with thick, bronze wax was passed to Saryn, and with a silent nod, the cloaked figure departed as quickly as they’d arrived.
It was always jarring to see someone new in Basdie, just like when the tailor had briefly visited to take our measurements.
How were these strangers allowed to come and go freely?
Were they blood-sworn? Were they even who they appeared to be?
If the Imperi had taught me anything, it was to be skeptical and untrusting, particularly of strangers.
Deception was an instrument of the deadly.
After breaking the wax seal, I witnessed a smaller piece of parchment rolled inside the larger one fall to the floor. Saryn bent down and lifted it to inspect its contents. He made his way toward me with a displeased look on his face.
“I do not appreciate our darling Gia using official Imperi communications to send personal correspondence.”
He tossed the small scroll in my lap and turned on his heel, carrying the larger scroll over to review with Theory.
The two of them headed down the hall, and I began to thumb at the curled parchment.
Varro gave me an intrigued look, but I scurried away to the privacy of my dormitory, eager to see what was so urgent that Gia would risk enraging our mentors.
I sat on my bed, holding the paper close to the candlelight to illuminate the words on the page.
I am safe. Everything is going to plan. We are awaiting your arrival.
If what you implied was true when we parted ways, please take care of your heart and use your head.
You need to know he is not okay. His role is more…
violent than mine. I am concerned for him.
Tread lightly when you see us again. We need him.
I cannot do the things he’s been forced to do.
I think he is the only one among us who can endure it.
— G
My heart raced as I reread the short but intense letter over and over.
Her need to warn me about the state of Trace’s wellbeing was so strong that she risked sending this, and through formal means of communication no less.
This couldn’t be good. While I was glad to hear she was safe, and that whatever plans they’d put into motion were on track, I couldn’t ignore the foreboding tone in her warning.
Saryn had already read the letter; no doubt he’d be questioning me soon enough.
And while I could rationalize a warning about Trace due to our intertwined pasts, there was no excuse for the other part.
Gia was vague, but I suspected Saryn would be obliged to pry the truth from me through any means he deemed necessary.
I made my way back to the common room and gave Varro a look that hinted at a later discussion.
Theory and Saryn joined us in the dining hall.
It was obvious we were eager to hear whatever news they’d be willing to share with us, but our silence indicated we were all unwilling to be the one to make that curiosity known.
I stirred my food, trying to appear uninterested, thinking maybe they’d be more open with us if we didn’t seem desperate for information.
Our mentors played this game often. Whether it was being part of this life for so long, or simply who they were, they found amusement in toying with us.
“Well, they’re not dead if that’s what you’re all wondering,” Saryn said with a smirk towards Theory while he slurped at his bowl of soup.
There were some days it took everything in my power not to go after him.
I’d like to cave in the roof above his head right about now.
I gritted my teeth and eyed the others as if to encourage them to stay quiet.
Don’t let him bait us into a confrontation.
If we were silent and didn’t react, he’d be more inclined to share.
Instead, Theory continued while Saryn returned to his meal.
“Gia has successfully managed to embed herself as a lady of the new court. The king has taken a keen interest in her, and this will provide opportunities to ensnare him further. She remains on friendly enough terms with the queen, who is no stranger to her husband’s many consorts.
We are very lucky to have one of our assets this close to their inner circle; she’s done well in setting the stage for your arrivals. ”
Theory provided me with even more insight about Gia than her own letter had, but there was a reason that her note to me was short and cryptic.
She had to have known any worthwhile detail would have been included in the larger update regarding their status.
Now I was anxious to hear about Trace, given Gia’s grave warning.
“While Gia has been enjoying the lavish lifestyle of the court, Trace has also been embedded successfully—but under quite different circumstances. His short time amongst their Kingsguard resulted in the acknowledgement of his skillset, along with a unique propensity for violence. It’s going exactly as we hoped.
This has led to a quick promotion, and he is now commanding a small militia of Artumians.
Moreover, we’ve learned that this group has been tasked by the Hand of the King himself to run secret operations.
They’ve been impersonating savage Northerners who’ve illegally crossed the border and are wreaking havoc across small villages in the south. ”
Theory’s review of Trace’s progress had me squeezing my hands into tight fists, my pulse beginning to race. I could feel Varro’s bond attempting to soothe mine, but to no avail.
“Why are they pretending to be Cambrians?” I asked.
“It can be assumed this is part of some larger plot to build a coalition against Northerners and incite the next Great War.”
Saryn interrupted before Theory could expand any further, “King Aeon has tried to get word to the South and vehemently deny any involvement in this group’s actions, but they’ve been unsuccessful in quelling the lies.
Tensions are beginning to boil as the citizens of Artume are unable to ignore the brutality they’ve seen in the name of the North. ”
“Brutality?” Cairis prodded.
“Yes, it seems they are targeting smaller villages on the outskirts. Ones that cannot easily defend themselves, conveniently absent of Kingsguards. The atrocities committed thus far are unspeakable. The mere fact that they are inflicting them upon their own people to drum up support for another conflict is a sign that their agenda is not to be underestimated.”
Gia’s words began to make more sense, and I shuddered at the thought of what these atrocities were and just how Trace was being forced to play his part.
It seemed that while Gia’s hands were forced to grasp at silk sheets, Trace’s were being covered in innocent blood.
Nori was chewing at her nails again, her soup cold and untouched.
“Send us south already!” Varro said.
Cairis nodded in eager agreement.
Saryn took a bite of his dinner roll, speaking while chewing obnoxiously. “Soon enough. Don’t be so eager to leave the safety of your training. Idris will be back for you all in no time.”
“What parts will we play?” I asked, trying to understand if more of us would be forced to join Trace on the front lines of these horrific acts.
“Lucky for you, Cress, I’ll be joining you.
Idris doesn’t feel comfortable sending a particularly volatile Dark Wielder into the mission without some oversight, so I guess you can say I’ve been fully reinstated.
Theory will serve as our messenger, helping us get information back and forth across the border. ”
He saw me about to interrupt, raising his hand and continuing.
“Cairis will be embedded as another Kingsguard, but one that is stationed in the castle itself, sworn to protect the royal family, along with any other important nobles residing there.”
I saw mild relief flash across Cairis’ face as he realized this would allow him to be close to Gia and protect her if need be.
Additionally, I sensed a feeling of solace that he was not being sent to aid Trace in those endeavors.
Hearing Cairis say that he wore the mask of violence like we all did was a brief insight into how he really felt about the Imperi and its purpose.
“And me...?” Nori whispered.
“You, my little Dreamwalker, will also be stationed in the castle in the hope that we find use for that rare talent. You’ll be working as a healer in their Order of the Oscillius.
This will be a more than adequate place for you to blend in, which is exactly what you’d better do.
Keep your head down. Their healers are obviously imbued with special gifts, so they are often sequestered and untouched.
Which, lucky for you, means you won’t be fucking your way through the kingdom like Gia. ”
Nori’s eyes widened at Saryn’s crass remarks, but beneath that surprise, I knew there was also relief. Her biggest fear had been mitigated…for the time being.
“And what about Cress and I?” Varro asked with just as much interest as I had, especially as the topic of “fucking” had been mentioned. I could feel the erratic pulsing of his bond against mine.
Saryn turned to face us.