Re #3
The sun is getting low, but luck is on my side tonight. I find a rocky spot by the river that has a nice, big overhang to protect me from the worst of the elements. And a good thing too, because I feel the gentle mist of sleet against my face as soon as I dismount Valar.
I’m quick to get the horses taken care of, tossing a serving and a half of hay each and the remainder of their grain under the far part of the overhang. Hopefully that’ll encourage them to stay out of the rain. Last thing I need is for one of them to get wet and cold and colic in weather like this.
Fortunately, they seem content to stay put, and I move a little further into the overhang to set up my fire.
The old stone pit shows I’m not the first person to stay here for a night, and I’m grateful to whoever left behind some dry logs to get a fire started with.
It comes together quickly, and I shiver as I huddle close to it.
I’m too grumpy to cook tonight, so I just lay out my sleeping pad and grab some of the cold rations from the saddle bags. Those are getting low too, and I mutter another quiet curse at Nik, wherever he is, for foiling my plan to stay in inns for most of this trip.
But my surly mood is interrupted when the air over my fire ripples. I hold my breath, praying it’s not just a heat shimmer. And when Olbric’s face appears, I let out a laugh of pure relief.
“Gods, but I’m happy to see you,” I say. “Olbric, this sucks without you.”
The joy on his face warms me from the inside out. “And here I thought you enjoyed hiking up mountains for fun.”
“The Crux has spoiled me,” I say. “All I want is my bed, and you in it. Preferably naked. Maybe even hogtied.” Olbric flushes hot, and there’s a chuckle of amusement that definitely didn’t come from him. “Is that Cancassi with you?”
Olbric’s expression is sheepish. “I swear, I’ll explain everything, but before that, I... have someone I’d like you to meet.”
“Okay...” I say, confused, up until a second person comes into view of the sending. Damn near Olbric’s twin, even.
“Dom, this is my older sister, Samira,” Olbric says. “Samira, this is Dominai.”
“Oh,” I breathe. I never even imagined what it might be like to meet Olbric’s family. It always seemed like such an impossibility. “Tanish ta.”
Olbric beams at me, though I’m just glad to have remembered something from his attempts to teach me Cashir. Samira’s smile is so similar to his that I like her immediately. She replies in accented Strae, “It’s good to meet you too, Dominai. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“We’ve been catching up,” Olbric says quietly. “I’m afraid I have a lot to tell you.”
I take in the few surroundings I can see through the sending, but it’s like looking into water. Very colorful water, though, and no walls or curtains in the Crux are quite so vibrant.
“Wait, where are you?”
Olbric winces as he shares a look with Samira. “I’m in Cairish. In Marikadar with Arlon and the King. The peace talks with Immenbach are being hosted by the Shykhdar. I was made to come along as part of the negotiations.”
My stomach drops as I mutter, “Oh, fuck.” Then I remember the last time we spoke. That hesitation, that sadness hiding behind his smile. “Wait, you’re coming back, right?”
Olbric’s expression is pained, and the realization drops like a stone. Either he doesn’t know, or he knows and doesn’t want to tell me. I’m not sure which I’d prefer - uncertainty or an answer like an arrow to the heart.
“He will,” Samira says. “I promise that once the peace talks are over, he will come back to the Crux.”
I blink as I look at her, searching her face. There’s no hint of a lie on her, no placation. She means it. And I believe her.
I let out a long breath before I pull my cloak a little tighter around myself.
I know I must look like a damp, shivering fool, and frankly, it’s not an unfair assessment.
“I’ll hold you to that, Samira. Because I love your sibling very much, and I don’t know how to get to Cairish save for the long way there.
Even though he didn’t tell me he was leaving,” I say, sliding my eyes over to him, “I don’t aim to say goodbye yet, either. ”
Olbric flushes as he looks at me, but Samira’s smile widens.
“Then you have my word that we will save you the trip,” Samira says.
I chuckle at that, rubbing the scruff on my face. “Thank you.”
Samira presses a chaste kiss to Olbric’s cheek. “I’ll let you two talk.” She gets to her feet before leaning down to make sure I can see her. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Dominai. I hope we get the opportunity to meet in person, someday. Hopefully in less chaotic times.”
“I’d like that very much, Samira,” I say.
She disappears through the murky background, and I hear a door open and close. Only then do I say, “Olbric, why didn’t you tell me? I would have come back!”
Olbric sinks back on his bed with a sigh. “That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you. Believe me, I would love more than anything to have you with me, but I wasn’t lying when I said that you need to do this. Just like... I need to be here.”
I scowl at that, even though some small part of me realizes that he’s right. I aim to be surly about it, though. “Galloping away from you was a pretty poor way to say goodbye.”
Olbric winces. “And I don’t intend for it to be a goodbye. I had some ideas of how to get back home, but Samira offered a better plan.”
“Where’s Arlon in all of this?” I ask.
“He was the messenger and courier in this transaction,” Olbric mutters. “The order came from the King, but he carried it out.”
“Fuck,” I swear, heart twisting. What an impossible spot - for both of them. “How are you faring?”
Olbric hugs his knees to his chest. “All things considered, I’m keeping it together.
Alix is here, which has helped. Allis, too, though she’s even less willing to be here than I am.
Arlon and I have barely spoken. I haven’t done more than glimpse my father, but I know I’ll have to talk to him eventually.
But... seeing Samira again has been a highlight. ”
“I’m glad,” I say. “I like her.”
Olbric chuckles. “And no doubt she likes you, too. Few people would threaten to travel across the entire continent for me.”
“Yeah, well, few people are also trying to camp in freezing sleet right now, and I bet Cairish is a lot warmer,” I tease.
Olbric laughs at that. “It’s late but downright lovely, honestly. I’m trying to be optimistic, so I guess I’m grateful that I’m missing out on yet another Godawful Strae winter.” His smile fades as he looks at me. “How are you faring?”
“Well, I found out who they sent to drag me back to the Crux. Bet you can’t guess who.”
“Thaddius?”
“I’m sure he wishes,” I snort. He’s been confined to the Crux ever since the Eastern Tower, so I’m sure he’d jump at the opportunity to leave. “Not him, though.”
“Hmm... I doubt it’s Cancassi. They’re more likely to join you in being a renegade wizard, I think.”
“It’s Nikolai,” I say. “Thora sent one of her dogs after me. He caught up with me at the inn in Crofton, but I gave him the slip. I’ve stayed off the main roads since and haven’t caught sight of him. I think I lost him.”
Olbric swears. “Don’t underestimate him, Dom. He’s the one who managed to stop me at the gate. I’m loathe to admit this, but he’s more competent than he looks.”
“Right,” I mutter, letting my head rest against the rock behind me. “I’ll stay out of his sight. Though I’m going to blame him personally for making me sleep outside while it’s fucking sleeting.”
Olbric tsks. “The tent?”
“Left it behind in my rush from Crofton,” I mutter. “I’m tempted to use one of my shelter conjurations, but I want to save them in case the weather gets worse.”
“You’ll be alright?” Olbric asks, and I can’t help but wonder if his dislike of the cold borders on fear from time to time.
“I’ll be fine,” I promise. “Uncomfortable to boot, but the gear we packed and the shelter I found are a good combination.”
“If you’re sure...” Olbric says uncertainly, and I realize how miserable he really would have been if he’d come with me.
“Warm me up, then,” I say. “Tell me about Marikadar. What’s all happening there?”
He smiles and seems happy to, and I settle in as I listen. Hearing him tell me about his and Samira’s plan to get her into their father’s seat in the Shykhdar helps put me at ease a bit. They only need to convince two people before Olbric can return to the Crux. It can’t be that difficult, right?
He tells me about the palace, the warmth and sun-baked sand and rock, and it gets hard to keep my eyes open. He whispers about the birdsong, the smell of the roses in the courtyard, and I doze, warmed by his words.
From the cusp of sleep, I hear his quiet “I love you” before it finally overtakes me.