When Ezo left his tent the next morning, he could hear the buzz from the player’s wagons. The crowds were already drawn to the performers as they undoubtedly dazzled their way into the sleepy village.

The back side of the camp was just the opposite. The tents and wagons that weren’t part of the performance were always quiet during the day.

Kammon had already joined the performers out front, and Ezo wanted to go see him. He wasn’t worried though. The man had a dramatic streak Ezo was sure would do him right today.

Besides, if he showed up before he went to see Alvrey, his lover was likely to light fire to his steps until he did.

He dragged his feet, but there was no one to notice how slow his steps were. The camp wasn’t that big though, and he found himself walking up to Alvrey’s wagon all too soon. She stepped out as he approached and gave him a tight smile.

“Ezo. I heard Kammon was performing today. I thought you’d be out there to see it.”

“I’ve seen him play with fire a million times. I don’t need to join the crowd.”

“Ah. The boys are out there, too. They follow Jaroh around these days, trying to drum up an audience and excite them before the shows start.”

“I came to see you.”

“Oh.”

“Kammon wants you to examine me.”

“He does?”

“He didn’t mention it when you examined him yesterday?”

She shook her head as she stepped back and opened the door. “Come on in.”

The wagon shifted as he walked up the two stairs and onto the platform. He’d never been so tense when he was visiting Alvrey here before. He’d always been comforted by her and her medicines. He hated the distance between them now, but he didn’t know how to breach that. He was still too angry.

“What do you need me to do?” he asked.

“Just have a seat. I’ll do the rest.”

He sat on the same bench he’d taken a hundred times before. He should probably tell her what Kammon was worried about, but he wanted her honest opinion. He didn’t want to cloud it with what Kammon had said the night before. Was it really the Vow? Or was that his fear seeing things that weren’t there? Wouldn’t he know if something like that had happened?

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Besides, Alvrey already had ideas about what was happening between them, and he doubted she’d miss it while she was examining him.

“May I touch your forehead?” she asked.

“Of course.”

He closed his eyes, but felt her drawing her power. She’d examined him before, and her magic settled around him like a comforting blanket. He took a deep breath and tried to relax into it. Kammon was right. He did still trust her as a healer. He’d met one or two others since he started traveling, but none seemed to have the same gentle touch that she did.

“You examined Kammon last night.”

“I did.” She didn’t stop what she was doing as she spoke.

“And?”

“He’s perfectly healthy.”

“The thing inside him?” He opened his eyes and watched her.

“The same as it’s been since I first met him.”

“It’s not…getting worse?”

“No, but I’m worried about you.” Her voice was tight as she stepped back.

“Some things never change.”

“I didn’t think you would ever wear the uniform. Why did you become War-Sworn?”

Ezo bit his tongue to stop the slew of curses that wanted to fly. He’d hoped Kammon was reading something that wasn’t there. There was no doubt about it now, though.

“The thing that’s in him. Can you sense it in me?”

She frowned. “No. Why would you ask that?”

“It worries Kammon.”

She nodded. “There’s nothing of that darkness in you. But tell me why you took the Vow?”

“Alvrey, I didn’t take the Vow. I would never join the War-Sworn.”

“Then why is it there?”

“I don’t know, but as soon as Kammon felt it, he dropped everything else and researched it. When he couldn’t find anything, he came looking for you.”

“Kammon came looking for me?” She dropped her eyes and turned her back on him.

She was disappointed, but he didn’t correct her and say that he’d wanted to find her as well. He was too conflicted to offer that comfort to her.

“How could I have the Vow on me when I never said the words? How does it even work?”

“That’s a conversation we need to have with Kammon,” Alvrey said. “It’s a specialty of healing that I was never interested in. There are old magics in the world that Distria has never practiced. The Vow is a relic of magic from Mailan. I don’t know anyone that could answer your questions about it. If I did, I would have contacted them as soon as I saw the bond growing between you and Kammon.”

“He’s not a bad guy.”

“No, he’s not. But that doesn’t mean he’s good for you, either.”

“You have no idea what he is for me, Alvrey. You’re so focused on the Calamity that you forget all the good he’s done.”

“Ezo, listen. It’s not about what I think of Kammon. It's his friendship with you that worries me.”

“Friendship?”

“What am I supposed to call it, Ezo?”

He took a deep breath because, as disappointed as he was with what she’d done, he needed her to understand. She was the first friend he’d made outside of Fairhills and the first he could really share his magic with. “I love him, Alvrey. So you can worry, but I’m not leaving him.”

“You think he feels the same?”

“Doesn’t matter if he does. This is who we are. It’s not just the magic that binds us.”

Alvrey closed her eyes. “I’ll do everything I can to help you, Ezo. And Kammon. But I can’t stop being afraid for you. He sets the world on fire in his wake.”

“Then let’s hope no one else comes to hurt him. Because if they do, I’ll burn the world myself to keep him safe.”