14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter fourteen
We wait until the very last minute to join the cluster of twenty-year-olds and their horses, led by an Endurer Captain whose name I can't recall.
The air is thick with a nervous excitement coming from all three groups, standing separated by realm, more than ready to venture to the Grotto and choose their magic.
Leaving with them was my only shot at a decent cover story, and I wasn't anticipating having the speed of Amplifiers, so even with plenty of stops, we should make it across the island to Orz with weeks to spare before solstice.
As long as we don't run into any trouble.
With the Sage's obscure reference to diamonds illuminating the way, I'm not counting on finding the Mycelium network to get us there, so it's good we'll have plenty of time.
Willa grins when she approaches on her horse, Marley, and notices mine, her eyes lit up with delight.
I give her a proud smile and the briefest flash of my hair before bowing my head to stay hidden, occasionally twisting to check the blanket draped over Aven still hides his matching tail.
Not much we can do about the mane, but the braids make the purple harder to spot as we start to move out, exiting the main gate as the stars fade from the slowly lightening sky.
Once we're out of sight of the castle, we nudge our horses into a fast walk.
We need to put distance between us and the city before the High Sage can open her portal, or the amount of power it requires could destabilize and absorb other magics in use.
So, we're leaving the plateau entirely, following the only road that weaves down the steep hill and eventually into the Trivialis, though we'll be stopping before then.
The twins, aware of the plan, slowly drift to the back of the noisy group, away from the Zelindyr twenties we're meant to be escorting.
I do the same minutes before we reach where the road flattens out.
Thankfully, the horses' hooves barely make a sound against the hard dirt, so we don't draw attention when we slip away, following Willa down a narrow excuse for a path and into the thick cover of the forest running along both sides of the road.
We're quiet as we wait and watch, the horses understanding the need for stealth as we catch glimpses of the swirling blue and yellow light from the portal piercing the grey morning mist through the trees.
The hollowed-out feel of it is exactly the same as it was eight years ago, as if something is sucking the air from my lungs and every drop of water from my body.
Finally, the sensation stops, the lights fade, and the forest goes completely silent. A thrill of excitement pulses through me, mellowed by a breath of relief. There's no changing our minds now.
The portal to the Grotto is closed.
Exchanging disbelieving grins, the three of us cautiously make our way back to the road.
I'll find it hard to relax until we're through the Triv and away from anyone who could recognize us.
"Just give me a second. I think I need to adjust my saddle then we can get going.
" I call to the twins as Aven jumps down the mossy bank.
I slip one foot free and tug the leather strap out of the tight buckle.
"Ah, Aly?" Felix calls after I hear the thud of what must be him and Grange landing somewhere behind us.
"What's up?" I ask, preoccupied with deciding if I really do need to lengthen my stirrups or not.
"Slight problem."
"Already?" I turn to face him. "Oh, shit." Five feet away, with a face like thunder and arms crossed over her chest, sits Drea on her horse, Seker. "Where did you come from?" I demand incredulously, certain I'd checked both directions before leaving the cover of the trees.
She scoffs. "Father learned Willa was tagging along as one of the guards.
He didn't like it, wanted to stop you from going, determined to avoid a repeat of what happened with Bri.
I wanted to tell him you would never do anything like that, but you were acting so cagey yesterday.
Still, I figured it was an overreaction. Looks like he was right to worry."
That's when I notice Drea's full pack, ready for travel. "Not the point, though. You should be answering questions right now, since you're not where you're supposed to be. Start with what the hell you think you're doing? And why you didn't go through that portal?"
Oh, she is furious. I'm completely unprepared for this. I thought I'd have at least a month to come up with an explanation. I don't want to lie to her. I also don't want her to make us turn around and go straight back up the hill. Which is exactly what she'll do if I don't give her something.
"Bri sent me a message. She's…working on some secret project so I wouldn't have been able to see her if I went to the Grotto.
And I figured, why not take the opportunity to do something different?
I'm almost thirty, and I've never been anywhere.
You heard Kentiz yesterday. The second I'm of age, they'll expect a wedding and babies.
I might never even get to go to the Offering, since my magic is so lame. "
Just enough truth mixed in to make the lie easy to tell. I subdue the guilt by reminding myself I'm doing right by Bri. "I couldn't waste the chance, so I asked myself what you would do. I just wanted to do something before I’m reduced to a man’s ticket to power."
Despite herself, the corner of Drea's lip curls up, and her anger appears to simmer into irritation. It's too soon to celebrate as she asks, "Where exactly are you going then?"
"Just to the crescent fields to see the cerisus bloom for solstice. Obviously, we'll stop before we get to the Median." Ok, that part's an outright lie.
As expected, my sister loses her shit, all traces of the smile gone.
"Just? Do you not realize how dangerous it is along the road through the mountains?
Or how serious the consequences will be when you get back?
Not to mention, you're an inexperienced rider.
I doubt you've got adequate supplies, and you’re traipsing around with one trained fighter and a damn Adaptor.
For fuck's sake, you’re not even wearing leathers. "
She glares at my leggings and rolls her eyes before they land on Aven's purple highlights, obvious in the full daylight. Horror is not a strong enough word for the expression on her face. "Unnamed gods, please tell me you did not steal an Amplifier? Are you out of your fucking mind?"
"Of course I didn't steal him," I reply, shoving back my hood so she can see the proof we attuned properly.
"Tell her it was my idea," Aven chimes in. "I'll explain it to Seker too."
"Good thinking," I say mentally in his direction, hoping he can hear me.
"Loud and clear," he confirms.
"Look, I know it's unconventional–"
"Understatement of the century. It's unlawful and treasonous, Alyxia," my sister interrupts, full on yelling now. "We need to go back. You can leave him in the paddock, and we'll figure out what to do about your hair."
Aven snorts loudly, expressing his disgust at her suggestion as I retort.
"Not happening. It's too late. We're attuned.
If we go back now, all this will have been pointless.
" Drea blanches, saying nothing, knowing I'm right.
"Judging by your pack, you planned to be gone a while, so why don't you come with us if you're so worried?
Seriously, you're a trained fighter and you have strong magic.
You can't tell me you and Willa won't be able to keep us safe? "
She scowls, as if I recommended sprinkling grass on her morning oats to give them extra flavor. Given her career aspirations, it's a huge ask. I'm not above a teensy tiny guilt trip if means we get to go though, and my sister never backs down from a challenge.
"Please, Drea. I never ask for anything. Let me have this." A silent minute passes, and I exchange nervous glances with the twins, who stood back and watched our argument without saying a word, knowing it wouldn't help. Finally, Drea's shoulders slump, she lets out a loud sigh, and I know I've won.