Chapter 10
We’d roused in the morning to the sound of movement in the forest to our south. I’d been dragged from my bedroll and tossed onto a horse, mind racing with fear as I wondered what would happen if the soldiers caught us.
A confrontation would beget bloodshed and death.
Here, in the wilderness, that could spell our doom.
The guards doubtless understood the danger as keenly as we did—catching murderers in a world where violent death was to be avoided at all costs was their job.
They’d have a means to outpace us, surround us, and force surrender.
I glanced around nervously as we left the woods behind and returned to the main road. The sounds of pursuit had faded an hour ago, but my heart raced nonetheless.
Eleos turned his head. “We’ll be fine. They didn’t see our faces, remember?”
“Stop reading my mind.”
“I’m not. You’re practically carved into my back, and I can feel your heartbeat.”
Realizing he was right, I sat back on the saddle and almost lost my balance. Floundering for a handhold, I grabbed him again, less tightly this time.
Percy rode at the rear of our little formation, eyes glued behind us, Whisper trotting at his side, nose to the ground. Scanning the road, I watched intently for the gates I both loathed and adored the sight of.
Serifos: the last bastion of the isthmus.
A thin strip of land carved through the Empty, leading to Therapne and Cynthus in the southwest. Pearl white gates rose above the trees, visible far before you reached the city’s outskirts.
There wasn’t space for farmlands here: ranches gathered around a river, where herds roamed the thinning trees.
Once, mountains had risen toward the sky, wrapping Serifos in their protective embrace. Hints of white rock peeked from the ranches, though the mountains had long crumbled and disappeared into the Empty.
I sat forward as we crossed the bridge into the city proper. The guards here had not yet received word of the assault on the dungeons. Hopefully, we could get lost in the streets before they did. Leaning around Eleos, I took in the sight of my old home.
Some saw this place as the pinnacle of civilization: countless waterways riddled the city, traversed by boats like horses on streets. The channels pooled into the great Empty to either side of the isthmus, their life-giving water turning to a soul-sapping void.
Lanterns hung above the water, lights glinting on their rippling surfaces. Beneath the marble, the Guild operated—tainting the underside of the pristine city with blood.
Seraphim wound us through the streets, avoiding the wealthier parts of the city in favor of the poorer fringes. Memories flooded back to me in a rush; I could probably navigate these roads with my eyes closed.
Seraphim stopped in a familiar square: a willow tree grew from the cracked pavement, crowded with citizens traveling to and from their places of work.
“I need to meet with someone,” she said, turning her horse. “Grab a drink if you need one.” She nodded at an unsavory-looking inn. “And refresh supplies. I’ll meet you here before curfew.”
“Serifos has a curfew now?” I asked.
“You didn’t know?” Seraphim raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry—you’ll hear it. We have plenty of time left in the day.” Clicking her tongue, she rode away.
Seth dropped his reins and stretched. “Who wants what?”
Eleos cleared his throat politely. “You two have catching up to do. Tend to the horses. Lady Aethra and I will handle rations.”
“Good idea.” Percy agreed.
“Oh.” Seth raised his eyebrows. “You want to do this in private? I thought you liked to air grievances in public.”
Percy raised a finger to argue, but hesitated. Chortling, I interjected. “Eleos and I are dying to know how you two fell out. And I could use a drink.”
“So could I,” Percy said, angrily yanking his gaudy fox mask out and strapping it onto his face. “I’ve written two songs about it.” With unnecessary aggression, he shoved his hat down, nearly flipping it off his head.
Swinging my leg over the saddle, I clumsily dismounted, dropping to the road with painful reverberations through my knees. Rubbing my thighs, I grabbed my bag from the saddle and swung it around my shoulder.
Seth took my horses’ reins and led the mares away. Nodding my thanks, I trotted up the inn’s steps and stepped through the door. The smell of booze slapped me across the face, and I nearly choked. Searching for a lonely table, I sat down and flinched when a splinter dug into my rear.
Sighing, Eleos sat beside me, flipping open his journal where he kept track of our supplies. Seth joined us a moment later, sitting heavily in the seat opposite Eleos and kicking his feet up on the table.
Eleos reared back, eyes fixed on Seth’s muddy boots. He gritted his teeth and stared daggers at the rogue, shielding his journal from the unseemly footwear.
A hand brushed my shoulder, and I turned to see Percy standing behind me, offering a mug of ale. “For the lady.” He said, smiling.
“Thanks,” I said, taking the mug and downing its contents. Horrible, cheap beer. The perfect brew for my current mood.
Percy laid two more mugs on the table, and Eleos quietly accepted one, eyes still glued to Seth, glowering.
“Alright,” Seth grabbed his cup. “Sing your little song.”
Clicking open his lute case, Percy slung the instrument around his shoulders and cleared his throat. He raised a hand dramatically, hesitating before strumming the first chord.
Magic slammed through my bones as his song began. I gripped the mug tightly, teeth vibrating and hands trembling. Crushing weight bore down on my soul. Agony. Heartbreak. Raising the mug to my lips, I drank as though my life depended on it.
I’m not sure if the song had any words, or if I simply couldn’t remember them. I heard Percy’s voice, warm and comforting. Sweet chords hung heavy in the air, tugging on my heartstrings.
I felt empty. Alone. Betrayed. Every emotion came like a wave, crashing over me as the chords shifted.
The lyrics danced at the edges of my mind, like whispers bidding me farewell.
Something deeper shook in my soul, as though I’d been offered an escape from hell itself, and the person I’d loved most shut the door in my face.
Ainwir appeared in my mind. Over and over. No matter how I tried to shove him aside. Betrayed. Abandoned.
When the song ended, a heavy stone lifted from my heart. Gasping for breath, I glanced down to see that my mug was empty.
Lifting my head, I looked between the men. Eleos grasped his journal rigidly, glaring more intensely than before. Seth looked like a puppy who’d just been scolded, face torn by guilt. Shoulders slumping, Percy removed his lute from his shoulders and returned it to its case.
“I, um. . .” Seth cleared his throat, regaining his charm. “I didn’t realize you felt so strongly about our . . . unconventional farewell.” Rocketing from his seat, he took Percy’s arm. “Do you need anything while we’re out? It’s my treat.”
Percy placed a hand on his hip. “I’m not a dog you can bribe with food.”
“Didn’t you have a crush on that cobbler? We could go see her.”
Lighting up, Percy grinned. “You mean it?”
Rubbing his eyes, Eleos drained his cup, snapped his journal closed, and stood. “Let’s get going, Lady Aethra.”
Standing, I shouldered my bag, rubbing my sternum. Percy’s emotions had wormed their way into my heart, all too similar to my own.
Seth whirled around and caught my wrist. “The Guild favors this town. Stay with the scholar.”
Nodding, I gazed into his scarlet eyes. “Do you call yourself Burgundy Rose because of your eyes?”
“Seas, no.” Seth rubbed his neck. “I didn’t name myself. What do you take me for?”
“I don’t know. . . the winks, the smiles, all while being chased by guards? You seemed the type to bestow upon yourself a stupid name.” I slipped my hand from his grip. “Wear your mask.”
“Anything for a beautiful lady.” Seth winked at me before covering his eyes with a black mask and following Percy.
Holding open the door for me, Eleos exhaled when we stepped outside. “You know this city best. Lead the way.”
Dancing down the steps, I waited until the door slammed shut behind us. “Is Percy really that upset about Seth?”
“Yes. He’s dramatic,” Eleos said. “From what I’ve read of their minds, they were good friends. Percy thought they were partners in crime—the hero and his bard. Seth didn’t.”
“Oh.” I nodded. Suddenly, their relationship made perfect sense.
Eleos rubbed his chest. “Psyches’ emotions lift once we cease the spell. Muses . . . linger.”
“Hopefully not for long.” Retrieving my mask from my bag, I fitted it over my eyes, and Eleos quickly followed suit, covering his face with the owl-feathered mask.
Nobody thought twice about those concealed by masks.
People donned them for every occasion—festivals, funerals, celebrations.
Hidden behind a stony exterior, one could express their truest self and close their eyes, for only a moment, to the horrors of the world around us.
Not unlike the Maiden, who sheltered, but did not save us, from the encroaching storm.
A useful tradition for those of us who needed to hide our faces.
Keeping my head down, I avoided passerbys’ gazes, though it didn’t seem many paid us a second glance. They probably assumed Eleos was a priest. I caught a few bowing their heads in respect out of the corner of my eye.
One man drew my attention: I noticed his dark boots slow as he drew near, and glanced up to see his simple tunic emblazoned with an unmistakable insignia: a chalice overflowing with golden water.
A Guild member.
Hoping it was a coincidence, I ignored him as we passed. He glanced over his shoulder at us, but continued on his way. Relieved, I released my held breath.
“Trouble?” Eleos asked quietly.
“I don’t think so,” I whispered back.
Hastening his steps, Eleos walked alongside me. “By the way, what did Seth talk to you about last night?”