“Hidden,” Zalia replied by way of greeting.

“It is good to see you’re alive,” he said.

Zalia paid close attention to his tone and words. She didn’t want to miss a single hidden meaning or obfuscated truth in the conversation.

“Despite your efforts,” Zalia reminded him.

“... yes. I would explain but I believe you already know much of the truth. My predicament does not excuse my actions, however. I only wish I could have done more to help,” he replied sadly.

“If it helps settle your mind just a bit, Juniper is dead. You’re free of her control now.”

“I am glad to be free of her control, though I feel sorrow at her death. Despite the actions she took towards the end of her life she was still a close friend and a good person for most of the rest of it. Thank you for delivering this information.”

Zalia couldn’t help notice the emphasis he put on the word “her”. Within the context, it almost felt as if he was trying to say that she hadn’t been or wasn’t the only one with control over him.

“I don’t suppose you would be able to tell us your true name, so we can free you and bring you to our side?” Zalia asked.

“I cannot, it is impossible for a shade to reveal their true name of their own volition. I would not have you release me until the war is over either way, however, despite the free will I currently maintain. The risk of the damage I would be capable of doing is not worth the reward of having me join this fight.”

His emphasis on “currently” confirmed Zalia’s suspicions. He had obviously been ordered not to tell anyone of his status being controlled directly, yet it seemed the way it worked must have been by the letter of the order, not the meaning of it. He did not have to keep good faith with a command as long as its literal definition was not broken.

“Were all commands given to you by Juniper broken upon her death, or do some remain?” Zalia asked.

“The confirmation of her death does indeed free me from the restraint of her commands. I can see within you that you were the one to release her soul from her body. That is a mark not easily forged,” he explained.

“Good, then answer me this. What did Juniper hope to accomplish by her actions? Why did she perform that ritual?” Zalia asked.

It was a question that had been in the back of her mind for a long time, something she didn’t think to find the answer to.

“She… discovered the rituals before many in Endaria, though she was not the one to initially begin performing them. She intended to subvert a part of the power of the ritual to summon Zayes from Cormaine, a plan ruined by you when you interrupted her ritual.”

Zalia frowned at the way the Hidden had paused. Almost as if he didn’t mean “discovered” so much as “was told about”. Zalia’s mind raced at the thought, trying to figure out what that actually meant. Assuming, as their previous information told, that the king was the perpetrator of the rituals, had he told Juniper for some reason?

The only logical path that train of thought took was that the king knew about Zayes being alive and had told Juniper in a ploy to get the Morning’s Shade on his side through her interference. A gamble, but one that had obviously panned out, assuming it was the truth of the matter. The single point she could think of to counter that is why the king would take the risk of Zayes being summoned to Endaria. He was in prison in Cormaine for a reason, or so Zalia thought. The only proof she had of that was the visions and dreams sent to her by Zayes when she had been in Cormaine herself…

Faian was watching Zalia closely, as if she was having the exact same train of thought. She knew everything that Zalia did about the situation as Zalia had told Faian herself. The General probably knew even more than Zalia, considering the manpower of informants and previous position she had held.

“Why would she put all of Endaria at risk to bring Zayes back. Couldn’t she see what that would mean for the world?” Zalia asked, just a little confused.

“You underestimate what love can make a person do. She was also… different in those final months. Not fully there anymore,” the Hidden explained.

“I don’t quite believe that explanation. There must have been something else, something we don’t know. What of Darren, her son, do you know where he is? Perhaps he knows more,” Zalia asked.

“Darren is with the king. I do not believe you will be able to reach him nor get anything from him of import if you do.”

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“That is… unfortunate.”

“You are being a lot more forthcoming, care to explain why?” Faian asked.

“With the confirmation of Juniper’s death, I am able to tell you what I know.”

Boreal looked bored, pacing around the room giving the cubic Hidden the odd glance here or there. Knowing Boreal, she was probably trying to figure out if it was a good idea to eat him or not.

Zalia had a thought.

“How old are you?” she asked.

“I do not know. I have no memories from before my awakening.”

Unfortunate. She had hoped he would have some answers about the times long past when the Bathar had come to Endaria.

“It’s been good seeing you again, Hidey,” Zalia said.

“And you, Zalia. Do come by again soon,” he replied.

Zalia moved to leave, motioning Boreal to come with her.

“I’m going to stay here, ask him a few more questions,” Faian said.

“Alright, I’ll be leaving for the north now though,” Zalia informed her.

“Understood, stay safe. I await your return with allies, should you succeed.”

They left, leaving Hidey and Faian behind. Zalia had meant what she said, it had been good seeing him again. A little hole in her had healed slightly at realising Hidey really was doing everything he could to help. She saw no other reason for his turning himself in and readily answering her questions as much as he was able. Unless it was all some long ploy to gain their trust again. Well, before she put any complete trust in his words or actions again, she would find out his true name and pull the truth out of him that way. It was the only way to be sure.

They left the command building and made their way back to the front gate, where Ember and Aylie were waiting for them.

Aylie had a new set of clothes on, a comfortable looking set of travelling clothes, a light jacket and a broad brim hat. She kind of looked a little like a farmer.

Ember was in her plate armour, as usual, but held a bag by her side.

“Hey, nice. Looks like you two found what you were looking for,” Zalia said in greeting.

“Sure did, my tailor sorted her out real quick. Got a little something for you too!” Ember said.

“Oh?”

Ember pulled another of the big broad brim hats, the sides flopping a little bit, out of the bag and presented it to her with a big smile. Aylie looked at her hopefully so Zalia put aside her sudden regret at ever meeting Ember and took the hat, putting it on.

“Happy?” she asked dourly.

“Absolutely,” Ember said.

“I hope you got one for Boreal as well,” Zalia said hopefully.

“I did not, Boreal is just perfect as she is,” Ember said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“And you think I would be improved by this hat?” Zalia asked, only mildly insulted.

“Of course.”

“What else have you got in that bag?” Zalia asked, changing the subject.

“Have a look,” Ember said, handing it over.

Inside was some very small and very warm looking clothes that she had no doubt were for Aylie when they got into the snowier sections of the north. There was also a bigger set of clothes that matched what Aylie was wearing exactly.

“So you two can be matching,” Ember explained.

“What’s wrong with my clothes?” Zalia asked.

“Well, despite those extremely good self repairing and cleaning enchantments you have on them, you are somehow managing to damage them. Look, there are threads hanging out all over the place, your right shoulder has a hole in the shirt and the pants are looking a bit rough on the hems. Besides, you two would look cute wearing matching outfits,” Ember explained.

Zalia was definitely going to find an inconspicuous way to get Ember back for this. It wasn’t like she was about to wholeheartedly disagree in front of Aylie who was looking so excited about the idea.

“Alright, sure,” she agreed.

She would change later and enjoy her last moments of freedom before they left.

“Anything else left to do? I wanted to get a few food supplies before we go to keep in the vault, as emergency supplies,” Zalia added.

“Nope, I’m happy,” Ember said cheerfully.

Zalia had the body of the animal Boreal had hunted in the vault still but wanted to get some herbs and spices as well. She quickly opened the vault, surprising Ember and Aylie who hadn’t seen it yet, and went inside.

“What the fuck Zalia,” Ember said, stepping in after her.

“I did tell you I have a vault, didn’t I?” Zalia asked absentmindedly.

She took the body of the creature out from the storage and used preparation to butcher it quickly and efficiently. She took the pelt of the creature, storing all the meat back into the same slot.

“Yeah, but I didn’t think it would be this big. It’s cool, and it’s got a herb garden at the back. Oh, hey, what are these swirling misty things back here?” Ember rambled, walking further back.

“They’re… I’ll explain another time. Please leave them alone,” Zalia pleaded.

“Alright, alright, I won’t pry,” Ember surrendered.

Taking a deep, settling breath to calm herself, Zalia left the vault with the pelt, Ember close behind.

She found a little market with the help of Ember and managed to trade the pelt for the few cooking herbs, salt and spices that she wanted. Storing those in the vault and with Ember having nothing else to get done, they left the war camp to begin the journey northwards.