“Tell me, Nua. When did you first get the Sight and who taught you?”

A flurry of thoughts passed through Nua’s mind at once. Here it was, her secret – or at least one of them – in the open. In hindsight, it was probably obvious to anyone with Hessa’s martial experience that her student’s athletic ability during the fight in the canyon was preternatural. Then, a realization struck. She didn’t just guess, she didn’t bluff, she knew. She had words for it.

And as the king had said, all Unsagga were talented with ether, at least in a minor way.

“You know sorcery,” she said.

Ashraqat and Hessa exchanged glances.

“I haven’t touched the crap – I mean ether – in over fifteen years,” the huntress answered, clearly directing her words to both of them. “No, really. It... it brings me back to a bad place. And that was not much of a sorcery, to begin with. I can strengthen myself and I know a few tricks with the bow. That’s it. Strengthening - that’s about what you can do, right?” she paused, giving herself time to catch a breath. “Or is there more? Be honest.”

She didn’t add “for once”, but it was there.

Nua clenched her fists. On the side, the king was giving her a glare.

“Sorry, Anki.”

“In the Overlord’s Mercy, I lived near the junkyard,” she started, then proceeded to relate much of the same story she told Hala. With one notable exception.

“That machine that got me out of there, it did something,” she said. “It gave me some ether and made me use it for a short while. I knew what I was doing, and the feeling stayed.”

“Smooth,” Anki muttered. “Perhaps you’re just a liar, but you’re getting better at it.”

Nua held back an overwhelming need to glare back at her companion.

“What do you think?” Ashra turned to the huntress.

“It wouldn’t be the first time an ancient artifact performed a miracle outside of our understanding,” Hessa sighed. “And it would make sense they are chasing her. Truth be told, just being able to operate it would be enough. And if there is an intact machine left? Things will get political before we know it. That explorer, do you know, perhaps, who hired him?”

“What does it mean, things will get political?”

“Can’t tell for now. Not before I know more.” She closed her eyes.

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Nua glanced sideways. For once, it was hard, to tell the truth when she already cushioned it in so many omissions and fabrications. She needed to trust Hessa more than she was used to trusting anyone, even Hala. But then again, some part of her wanted to see what happens when she explains who the prince was and watch the disaster unfold. Because now that she gained the ability to think through the consequences of her actions, she was sure there were consequences for having an important person look for the war machines, then die while doing it.

“He was called Flavius Aetius Ahenobarbus the Third,” she said. “Some sort of a prince. He was sure I should know his name, but maybe he was just stuck up.”

Ashraqat whistled.

“That’s bad, right?” Nua asked.

“Well, we know that war for succession is brewing,” Hessa said. “I just hoped it to be later than sooner. One candidate down, at least. And the machine either went to the Antiquarian Guild, or the sovereign of the Overlord’s Mercy got it. He’s located so far from the source of conflict that it might be for the best.”

“Unless he sells it,” Ashra interjected.

“I would like to know more, too,” Nua said.

Hessa shifted on her pillows and grimaced.

“This is not what’s important now. The important thing is that you still have a target painted on your back. That Antiquarian was acting alone, and likely they lost your track for now. But they’re not going to forget about you. Especially considering how you can’t just forgo using ether, like me. Because you are making your own.”

Ashraqat all but jumped.

“What?! Are you certain?”

“I am not that good…” Nua started.

“And you would hold it in for how much, three weeks? It would dissipate unless you found another source. Which you haven’t because I would have seen. And you were burning heaps of it during the fight.” Hessa coughed, and the lady merchant ducked by her side with anxiety. “No, I’m fine, really. Blighted Antiquarians.”

“You must know,” she continued, “That for those people, you’re the greatest fear come alive. The Forsaken were sorcerer-kings. For them, any Unsagga who uses ether is a nascent Forsaken that must be nipped in the bud. I think this is why the Empire deprives us of so much. If we had civil rights, someone eventually would end up learning sorcery. Around two decades ago, I was a part of… of a rebellion of sorts. A bandit gang acting as one, more like.”

She was looking not at Nua, but through her, far in the distance.

“Our leader claimed we all have the talent to some degree. But yours, even if that’s an artifact-obtained ability, is a one-in-a-million. No one develops true sorcery just like that.” She snapped her fingers. “Usually, it requires decades of hard work. The people in power won’t let you be. Others will strive to use you. I broke off contact, but…” she shook her head.

“Hessa, our caravan does not need this,” said Ashraqat softly. “You’re done with it. You’ve promised.”

“So then,” Hessa met her eyes. “We let her go, and let her get killed? I’d teach her to avoid the issue, at least for now.”

“What comes after?”

Nua cleared her throat.

“I don’t want to cause any rebellions. I won’t make trouble. I was told that there is an Unsagga country far up North. That’s probably where my mother was from. I could go there.”

The merchant nodded.

“I’ll ask Ezekiel, so we have a better idea where that is. If anyone knows, he does. Anyway, it is a long way from Vengeance.”

Nua perked up. They were letting her stay.

“I’m going to sleep,” Hessa advertised and turned on the healthy side. “We’ll talk later. You must be aware to steer clear of certain organizations. And don’t use ether carelessly. At least Idris and Raya have the Sight; perhaps someone else, too. We pay them a lot so that figures.”