Chapter 48: Courses 1

Elania stood at the start of the airship bay jetty, simmering as she watched the Lightbringer ship dock. The vessel had regained power just as they arrived at the city, so it had detached and moved to dock on its own.

It slid into place with practiced ease.

The Heart settled into its berth a few minutes later a safe distance away, and the crew poured out to unload the shipment for transport on another vessel.

The Gold was out on its own, and the Heart needed a day of maintenance. The delay and failure of the transport would cost her a hundred crit in failure fees.

It stoked her anger, and while Elysia had promised to pay for it, Elania wasn’t appeased. The thought of being forced to assist the very people who had butchered Neftasu left a bitter taste in her mouth.

As she watched the Lightbringer vessel be tied off, a large group of Silvers arrived and locked down the area. People evacuated the area silently, taking the hint that lingering wasn’t advised.

She ignored that.

Lyra appeared, her gaze falling upon her. The Tower’s expression was displeased, clearly unhappy to see her there.

“If you’re here to cause trouble, leave,” Lyra said.

Elania met Lyra’s gaze, her own anger barely contained. “I have every right to be here.”

Lyra ignored her, moving down the jetty with purposeful strides.

Bishop Lefarne and a few of his followers were the first to disembark from the ship. Their robes billowed in the wind as they walked up the jetty to meet Lyra.

Elania’s hands clenched into fists at her sides as she watched the exchange; the sight of the Lightbringers being welcomed into Contia made her blood boil.

She wanted nothing more than to confront them, to demand justice for the lives they had taken. For what they had done to Yolani. But any action on her part would only lead to further trouble.

Elania watched as Lyra and Lefarne exchanged words. Her stomach churned with each politeness exchanged. The bishop smiled the entire time, his eyes glinting with a smugness that made Elania’s skin crawl.

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“Thank you for your warm welcome, Demi-goddess Lyra,” Lefarne said, his voice dripping with false sincerity. “I must request that my men be allowed to rest and recuperate while we visit your fine city. The journey has been long and arduous.”

Elania’s muscles tensed, but Lyra’s response cut through her building rage. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Bishop Lefarne,” she said. “Your men must remain on board. Only you and your personal retinue may disembark with escorts.”

Lefarne’s smile faltered, his brow furrowing in displeasure. For a moment, Elania thought he might argue, but instead, he inclined his head. “Very well. I accept your terms.”

As the bishop and Lyra made their way down the jetty, Lefarne’s gaze fell upon Elania. His lips curled into a grin and Elania’s fingers twitched, itching to take Eziel and cut the smirk from Lefarne’s face.

But she couldn’t. Not here, not now. Anger clouded her judgment, making her irrational. She needed to clear her head, to think straight.

She launched herself into the air with a growl of frustration.

She needed to warn Gaston and let the Neftasu Guard know there were Lightbringers in the city. Somehow, she doubted everyone would be able to contain their anger; she would have to ban visiting the wharf altogether.

She turned sharply toward the Guard’s barracks.

The Lightbringers would bring danger to the city. Like clutching a poisonous snake to the chest.

She landed with a soft thud outside the entrance, her eyes scanning the area for trouble. It was quiet until she made her way in.

Crates and boxes were stacked haphazardly, and the activity seemed more frantic than usual—signs that men were preparing to move out of the building.

Surely it was too early for them to know about the Lightbringers?

Elania spotted Henri and waved. He grinned and jogged over to join her. “Elania, you’re just in time. We’re preparing to transfer over to the new compound.”

Oh, so that was it.

Elania nodded absently. She quickened her pace, heading towards the back of the hall where Captain Gaston usually stationed himself or the on-duty officers.

“Oh, and guess what?” Henri continued cheerfully, oblivious to her mood. “We got our muskets back, too. The first batch went out with the latest patrol. Pretty cool, huh?”

Elania’s heart skipped a beat, a flare of panic rising in her chest. She broke into a run, leaving a confused Henri in her wake.

Gaston looked up as she approached. “Elania? What’s wrong?”

“We have a problem,” she said. “Lightbringers are in the city.”

Loud enough that everyone could hear.

Everyone in the room froze, the entire hall falling silent as her words echoed in the air. Gaston’s frown deepened, his eyes narrowing as he leaned forward. “Explain.”

Elania took a deep breath. “They came in on an airship. They’re restricted to the ship for now, but I think we must have the men avoid the wharfs as much as possible. Especially anyone who might be... inclined to exact vengeance.”

Gaston nodded slowly. “I understand. I’ll see to it.”

“What about the musket-armed patrol?” Elania asked. “If they stumble across the Lightbringers...”

Gaston shook his head. “Don’t worry. The patrol isn’t anywhere near the wharfs. They’re headed to the Neftasu District.”

Elania felt a small measure of relief, but the knot of tension in her stomach remained.

The Lightbringers’ presence was a powder keg for the refugees or a slow-acting poison for Contia.

Neither was good.