Kaara sat stunned as she looked at Amaro. He was offering to travel with her? Why? What did he get from it? She glanced over to Tulos, who carried a serious expression. If Amaro had been playing a prank on her, Tulos would have given it away with his half-cocked grin.

“Why do you want to travel with me knowing that I’ve got this curse?” She asked.

Amaro’s hand dropped, “Would you accept a secret for a secret?”

Kaara raised an eyebrow, “What is it?”

“When we were in the cave together, back when I read those scrolls, I had a vision. I feel it was a vision of the future, and I’m not sure if it was destiny, or just something that could happen. Regardless, you were there, and you were watching over me.” He paused, “I want to make that dream a reality. I want to live in that world.”

Kaara thought about all the things Amaro had done thus far. How he’d acted, and who he was as a person. There was a glimmer of something greater within him, but as Kaara thought about it, she did not consider him to be a friend. She did not even think she liked him all that much. She did not hate him, but she definitely disliked him.

And yet, standing before her was not the Amaro she had met a few weeks ago. Their eyes no longer had that cloud of doubt within them. His words carried weight and conviction unlike anything he’d spoken before. He looked like he was more… awake.

“I’m not opposed to us traveling together, as long as Arik and stuff can join too.” she said, finally.

“Of course! I was hoping she might be able to travel with us too. Along with Rorik-”

“Rorik’s going on his own.” Kaara said coldly.

“Oh, is he? Maybe we can convince him-”

Tulos clapped a hand on his shoulder, “You’ve much to learn about reading the room, brother. Rori’s likely carving his own path.” He looked to Kaara, “It’s one of the only things he opened up to me about.”

Kaara perked up, “He did?”

“Alas my heart was broken too. I’ll tell you more about it later.”

“Right…” Amaro said, “Just the same, I hope you will consider my offer.”

Kaara brushed her lap and stood up, “I’ll take you up on it. There’s a lot of places I wanna explore, including the cities, and I won’t be able to navigate those places like a noble can.”

“You will? Truly?”

“Why’re you surprised? If anything I’m surprised you’re asking.”

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“I suppose I never thought I’d get this far. I was under the impression you hated him.”

“Not quite hate, but I don’t like you too much.”

Tulos bust out laughing, “I told you!”

“Shut it.” Amaro said, playfully punching his brother’s arm, “I get it, though. I don’t like myself much either right now. Last night, I was ready to die if it meant better people would live.” he said, looking down.

Kaara put her hands behind her back, leaned over into his vision, “That’s the part of you that I like, I guess. The one that’s ready to die protecting others.”

“Spoken like a real femme fatale. Get out now, brother,” Tulos snickered.

Amaro looked away, clicking his tongue, “That’s obviously not what she meant, jackass.”

Kaara poked his chest, “You’ve got a lot to work on, but I can see something in you that’s a lot better. From now on, you’re free to decide the person you become. I’m curious, so I think I’ll take you up on your offer. I dunno if Sancta will like me being around, though.”

“Why not? She’d get along well with you, I think.”

Kaara sighed, “That’s the part of you that’s a pain in the ass.”

“What? What did I say?” Amaro said looking between her and Tulos.

“Sancta fuckin’ hates her,” Tulos said.

“And how do you know that? She’s not said anything to me!”

“She’s vented about it to pretty much everyone except you for a reason, brother. Even the Noxa probably knew.”

Amaro’s face went red, “What? But why does she-”

“You really are hopeless, brother. The only ‘secret’ that’s more public around camp is how you like Kaara.”

“I- What?!”

“Yeah, it’s pretty obvious.” Kaara said.

“You know?!”

Kaara giggled, stepping past him.

“Don’t just laugh and walk away!”

“Like I said, I’m curious about you. Even if I dislike you, there’s something I like about you too. Don’t change to be something you think I’ll like, though. I just wanna see what you become. That’s all.” Kaara said, leaving the tent.

If Amaro and his siblings would be joining them, she would have her hands full dealing with all of them. She needed to find Arik.

As she looked around the temporary camp that had been set up around the survivors of the ceremony, she noticed how dismal the air was. She could see some of the children huddled close to one another as they wept over the fallen. Some were completely alone, and others waited outside of the medical tents in the hopes that their friends would make it. Kaara felt a pit in her stomach. Compared to them, she’d gotten off easy. At least she knew she would see Rorik again. She still had Arik and Tadios, and everyone else she knew personally.

She saw Arik in the distance, speaking with Corvio, Orsika, and Lioku. It was a bittersweet relief to see them all alive, but Corvio looked like death. His cheekbones had sunken in, and dark bags hung from his eyes. It seemed as though he was relying on Orsika and Lioku for support.

Kaara swallowed. What had happened to him after they had been separated? She stepped closer, “What’s going on?” she asked.

Arik turned to Kaara, “Nothing, Corvio’s just talking crazy.”

“Crazy? You think I’m talking crazy? This whole situation is crazy! First we’re attacked by hundreds of Oskuutor, and the next thing we know we’re being rescued by some strange warriors in gray cloaks! Wouldn’t you believe it? At the center of it all is none other than Kaara and those Noxa.” He pointed to Kaara, “You’re the reason, aren’t you? This is all your fault!”