“What do you know of the people of Mailan?”

Ezo wished he’d learned more about the world around him when he was younger. He wouldn’t begrudge the days he’d spent researching at Riverkeep and Mountainkeep, but it felt like his life was heading into strange places, and he was unprepared.

Kammon walked beside him at the back of the wagons. Kammon had spent a week performing with the players before Jaroh decided it was time to move on. Now, they were heading north toward the Mailan border. Jaroh suggested one more stop along the way before they made the journey into Mailan. There, Alvrey would take them to a healer who knew about the Vow.

“I was never sent to Mailan,” Kammon answered Ezo’s question. “And I never traveled there on my own. I know what the University teaches, but we both know how little that actually means.”

“I should have stopped to read up before heading this way,” Ezo said. He enjoyed seeing Kammon opening up around the players more since he’d joined them, but he missed the days when it had just been the two of them at Riverkeep. He enjoyed being able to get his hands on his lover whenever he wanted.

What made all of this worthwhile, though, was the way the stress had eased up on Kammon. He was smiling more than Ezo had ever seen, and he was more relaxed.

His awareness of their surroundings never faltered, but he seemed to let go of something being with the players. Or maybe it was because of Alvrey.

“So, what did the University teach you?” Ezo asked. “It’s better than nothing. Probably.”

Kammon stretched his arms up over his head and rolled his neck before he started. “The Mailan people are very superstitious, and highly religious. They still believe in the old gods and the power they once wielded in this world. They take magic very seriously, and those able to wield it are dedicated to one of the gods to train and use their power in that god’s name.”

“So I’m a priest because I’m an elementalist?”

Kammon rolled his eyes. “It means if you’d been born in Mailan, they’d have taken you to a temple as a child and raised you there. As you grew older, the god you aligned with most would take you in for formal training.”

“Sounds like something Jacob would have hidden me from.”

“Most likely,” Kammon agreed. “Though the Mailan use magic for healing and peace. I’ve never seen anyone from Mailan using it in an offensive manner.”

“So, this healer should be okay?” Ezo asked. He trusted Alvrey, but he wanted Kammon’s thoughts on the matter.

“It’s our best chance. Anyone I could have asked for help was turned against us by the Imperium. Even if they know I haven’t done anything wrong, they have to follow orders. And few enough would welcome a visit from the Calamity.”

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“I welcome a visit from the Calamity,” Ezo quipped. Kammon never talked about being lonely, but it must have been different when he was War-Sworn. He’d had fellow soldiers to rely on, other people to share with. Ezo was a poor substitute for the life he’d probably led before, but he did what he could.

Kammon’s eyes widened in surprise at his words, but a smile appeared as he looked away.

Before Ezo could speak up, Alvrey came back to walk on the other side of Kammon, giving Ezo space between them.

“I talked with Jaroh.” She spoke softly, but they were both able to hear her clearly. There was something about her voice that demanded his attention. For the first time, he wondered if there was some magic in it.

“Is there a problem?” Kammon asked.

“He wants to stop at the next town. It’s a larger town, and the players would be upset if they missed the chance to perform there. I want to lead the two of you on while the players perform, though.”

“Why?” Ezo asked. “I thought everyone agreed traveling with the players is the best way to keep the Imperium from finding us?”

“It is. But I don’t think we’re going to run into too much trouble this far north. Our questions are too important to wait. If we stay with Jaroh, we’ll be delayed at least a week.”

“I’ll follow you, Alvrey,” Kammon said. He looked at Ezo for confirmation.

Ezo was torn. He didn’t want to travel alone with Alvrey. Kammon would be put in the center of their awkward interactions, and he wasn’t exactly known for his patience to begin with.

Alvrey said she’d help Ezo, but they wanted different things. He had a feeling she was looking for a way to remove the bond between him and Kammon, while Ezo’s only concern was the Vow.

He tried not to think about it too hard. He didn’t feel any different. He didn’t feel drained by anything the way Kammon did. Could the bond be negating that effect? Could it be passing on the fatigue to Kammon, draining him instead of Ezo?

“I think it’s smart,” he decided. “We need to know what we’re dealing with. The sooner, the better.”

Kammon’s brow furrowed. Ezo hadn’t been in a hurry to leave Jaroh since they started traveling with him, and Kammon knew it. He was sure he’d have to explain himself later, but for now, his lover just nodded.

“I’ll tell Jaroh we’re in agreement then,” Alvrey said. She walked ahead of them, and Ezo watched her go.

“Are you going to be okay traveling alone with only her and me?” Kammon asked.

“I’m good traveling with you. I prefer to be alone with you, but even though we haven’t cleared things up yet, I know Alvrey will get us to this healer.”

“Hopefully, Jaroh will call it an early night tonight,” Kammon said.

“Why?”

Kammon smiled. “Because if this is our last night with a tent, I want to take advantage of it.”

“Did you always have such thoughts?” Ezo teased.

“Around you? Yes,” Kammon laughed at Ezo’s surprise. “What can I say, Raven? I’m a sucker for a pretty face.”

Ezo pulled the earth up at Kammon’s ankle and watched his lover get stuck on the spot.

“Ezo?”

“Yes, Kammon?” he asked.

“Is there a reason for this?”

Ezo looked at his foot, then waited as one of the others glanced back at them. “We’ll catch up!” he yelled. The player waved at him to know he heard, and Ezo turned his attention back to Kammon.

“I don’t see any reason to wait for tonight,” Ezo teased. He released the earth, holding Kammon’s foot. He was immediately caught in his lover’s arms.

“And you wonder about my thoughts,” Kammon said.

Ezo’s response was cut off, though, as Kammon brought their lips together. They tumbled together under the cover of the trees at the side of the road and spent the afternoon with heated kisses and tangled limbs. When they strolled into camp late, no one asked where they’d been, but a tent had been put up for them, and their dinner waited.