XXXXIII

Yoreno awoke in the darkness to the sound of Dantera’s horse clopping in the distant cavern ahead. The fire was barely lit, but red coals still whined and popped. The chamber was cold.

He stirred the magically infused logs to reignite the fires within so that the flame would appear and provide more warmth. He found that he was quiet cold when he got up.

Yoreno hugged his cloak around his shoulders more tightly and stepped over Dell who was sleeping—probably warmest of all—with Sorika nestled up close to him under their cloak.

Moving after Dantera, Yoreno’s boots made far less sound on the cavern floor than her horse did. Light from the cave exit ahead shone into the cave, making Dantera’s form a brown and tattered silhouette limned in bright yellow. She looked like a powerful wanderer of swords and sorcery.

The sun was out and the light provided instant warmth that the cave could never do. He was surprised to find such a vigorous morning warmth when he walked up beside Dantera, who glanced at him quickly, before surveying the mountains and deserts.

Yoreno put out his hand and felt the warmth of the light on his palm.

“The mages,” she said. “We killed two of them. Whatever ill magick they have been up to in their encampment has been disrupted. That is why there is no storm clouds.”

He nodded to her explanation.

Then he said, “Do you really think you can just slip away while we’re all sleeping? That we won’t come after you?”

She shrugged. “I had hoped.”

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“Why?”

“This is my quest, Yoreno.”

“No,” he said.

She looked at him then. “What?”

“I said no,” he repeated. “If these Schuarists seek to reopen tears into the other world and bring about another Age of Darkness—or even just extend the old one—then it is all of our responsibility to see that that doesn’t happen.”

“You make a good point.”

“We are going to find and kill all of these cultists,” Yoreno said. “And in case you haven’t noticed, knight, I far outrank you.”

Dantera’s lips quirked up into a wry smile.

She was beautiful.

“I know you feel ashamed,” Yoreno added.

Instantly her demeanor changed, a shadow coming over her face and eyes. “The king is dead because of me.”

“No,” Yoreno said. “The king is dead because he was a fool.”

She looked at him sharply.

“It’s the truth,” Yoreno repeated. “King Branlin was a good man—with good intentions for a new age, but he was naïve in thinking the castle and his Honor Guard provided him with ultimate protection in the face of your warnings.”

Dantera made to speak, but Yoreno interrupted her.

“And the queen is also a fool, for punishing you, despite the king having not heeded your pleas that he have more protection—that he cancel his Age of Readventure festival.”

“Be careful, Yoreno. That is treason, last time I checked.”

“Truth cannot be treason,” he said.

“Hmm.” She smiled. “You are growing.”

“We are coming with you,” he said. “We are going to find the leader of this Nai Sha’el order you spoke of—and we’re going to bring its leader’s head to the queen. Or perhaps if we find good luck, we can take her to the queen in chains. You will need our help.”

She looked at him for a long time, the bright sun shining across her golden hair and lighting one side of her dace.

It made her look like an angel, he thought.

Finally she smiled. “Very well, my lord. If it is your command.”

“It is,” he said.

She nodded. “Then I can do nothing to dissuade you.”

“And don’t think of running off,” he said.

“I will not,” she said. “In truth, I am glad you have come. Disappointed that you chose not to respect my wishes, but happy that you did.”

“Good.”

“But don’t get too used to me calling you ‘my lord,’ Yoreno, because I intend to be fully restored back to my noble rank when we return.”

He smiled. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Well then,” she said. “What are you waiting for? Go wake the others!”

“Who is the lord here?”

“Ha!”