Chapter 2 Odessa #2
Maybe I needed to have Evie ask the questions from now on. She had better luck getting answers.
Brother Dime lifted a hand, drawing the water from her hair and spinning it into a crown.
It seemed like a lifetime ago he’d done the same for me outside an art gallery in a castle in Quentis. A stinging sensation crawled up my skin, but I held back a cringe, not wanting to take a moment of magic away from Evie.
Except she didn’t stare up at the shimmering crown in wonder. No smile lit up her face. Instead, her gaze fell to the dirt. She stepped out from beneath the ring of water, moving closer to my side so her arm could hook around my leg.
Brother Dime sent the water away with a flick of his wrist.
It wasn’t easy to read his expressions, but the line of his colorless lips softened in what had to be pity. He stood and backed away a few paces, far enough that the bite of his magic lessened.
The other priest rode to Brother Dime’s side, coming to a stop and dismounting his horse. He wore pale blue robes that draped around his bony frame. His nose was the same hawkish shape as Dime’s.
Brother Skore let the animals free to graze as he came to Dime’s side. Both priests pressed their hands over their hearts and bowed.
Their combined magic rocked me on my heels.
“Go wait with Faze,” I told Evie, watching as she walked to join the tarkin at the water.
If Dime thought he could keep up this breakneck pace, the priest was dreaming.
Evie needed a place to sleep that wasn’t in my lap. She needed a meal and a real bath and a safe space to cry. And Freya needed longer breaks than she’d been given.
“We must leave,” he said.
“No.” I raised my chin, hoping I looked braver than I felt. “Not until you tell me why we’re going to Ozarth.”
“It is the path you must take.”
“That’s not an answer to my question.”
“It is the only answer I can give.”
I scoffed. “Then we’re leaving. We’re going to Treow to find Ransom.”
The priests shared a look that made my heart drop. A look that said I wouldn’t find him there.
“What? Is he…” I couldn’t finish the question. My head began spinning too fast, and the ground beneath my boots seemed to tilt sideways.
He’s alive.
Ransom was alive. I wouldn’t let myself consider any other outcome. If anyone could survive the crux, it was the Guardian. I gripped the leather cuff on my forearm, the cuff Ransom had given to me, letting this piece of him steady me.
“I do not know his fate, child.” Brother Dime spoke gently, like he knew I was moments from collapsing to my knees. “But this is where your paths divide. He is loyal to the High Priest.”
“Aren’t you?” I certainly didn’t trust the High Priest, or Dime for that matter, but weren’t they all a part of the same brotherhood?
“This is a journey you must take alone. It is the only way to discover your dynasty.”
“My dynasty? I don’t have a dynasty.” I pointed behind me. “I have a terrified little girl who saw her father get murdered. So answer my question. Why Ozarth?”
Brother Dime nodded to my saddle on the ground by my feet. “Turah is not safe for you. And I promised your father I’d keep you safe.”
“Then take me to him.”
Ransom had told me that if something happened to him, to Zavier, to get Evie out of Turah. To take her to Quentis. To put the entire continent of Calandra between her and King Ramsey.
If he didn’t find us in Treow, Ransom would look for us in Quentis, so that’s where we were going. My father would protect us, and we could shelter with my family during the migration.
“We don’t need to cross the border to Ozarth,” I said. “There’s no reason to travel east. We should ride south to the coast, then sail the Krisenth.”
“We will not be sailing to Quentis.”
I tossed up a hand. “Why not? It’s the fastest route.”
The priests shared another look.
“What aren’t you telling me? Why do you need to go to Ozarth?
Unless you’re planning on riding the entire length of this continent, then there’s no point in…
” Oh, gods. The realm tipped sideways as realization dawned.
“No. It’s too dangerous. It’s too far. What about monsters?
What about the migration? It will take weeks. ”
From Turah to Ozarth, then Laine and Genesis. I couldn’t even fathom the idea of making that journey.
I shook my head, heart pounding. “We’re not going with you.”
“You are.” Brother Dime moved closer, the sting of his magic intensifying.
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.”
I glanced over my shoulder to Evie. Why hadn’t I left the Voster days ago? He wouldn’t have been able to catch us on foot. But now that this new priest was here with two horses, we’d never get away.
Unless I fought them. My gaze shifted to the sword beside my saddle.
“Should the girl ride with me instead?” Brother Dime asked.
“No.” I stepped sideways, blocking his path to Evie. “She stays with me.”
“Then saddle your horse.”
This bastard was going to use her to manipulate me, and until I came up with a plan to escape, I was stuck. “Fine.”
“This will not be an easy journey,” he warned. “But you must find the strength to endure. For all of Calandra.”
“And if I can’t?”
“You must.” With that, Dime walked away.
Brother Skore cocked his head to the side, studying me for a long moment. Then he raised a hand and snapped his fingers.
A gust of wind came rushing from behind, nearly blowing me over. I lurched forward to catch myself, tripping over Freya’s saddle.
Damn these Voster.
I really should have run away.