Alessa didn’t look happy.

It hadn’t taken long for us to change back into our travel clothes, then after Starna had sealed the room against anyone eavesdropping, she cast the spell to contact us with my cousin.

Dark circles were slowly starting to form under the Queen’s eyes and I thought about advising her to try to sleep more. Without being well rested, she wouldn’t be able to do her job as well. I smirked as I heard that admonition in Vin’s voice. It was something that my brother had repeated way too many times. My father’s usual response was ‘you can sleep when you’re dead’, which had almost turned into a game between the two of them. I had a feeling that Alessa would have a similar response if I told her to get some sleep. Maybe the next time I saw her I could sineat some of that exhaustion.

“Is something funny?” Alessa glared at me.

“Just remembering something Vin told my dad about sleep.” I held up my hands. “Sorry, I’m paying attention now.”

“As I was saying.” Starna tilted her head towards me. “The Dwarves are open to discussing moving the artifact, but they want to talk to the mages in person.” She faced my cousin. “They are also expecting a representative from the Remnant to discuss them taking over guarding the artifact.”

“I’ve been talking to Banrion this morning. She said that she would contact the Remnant, but they are on the other side of the world from us, so it’ll take them two months to get there once they get in contact. We’ll need to put together a provisional force to watch over the artifact until they can arrive.”

“What about Master Krav?” The master ranked mage had been Queen Banrion’s emissary for Alessa’s failed wedding ceremony. I hoped there was a chance that he was still in the area.

“Master Krav is on a mission on the Camadt continent.” Alessa’s voice darkened. “Magic communication is unreliable there, so someone will have to go get him.”

I could tell by her tone who that someone was. “You’re sending us.” I sighed. “Because of Vin.”

“He can bypass a lot of the red tape that the Camadt requires to go inland. You’ll need to travel to the Nevnua Capital. That was where Master Krav was going first. Banrion didn’t know what they wanted from him, but he took Psider with him, so she believes that it was something dire.” Alessa began playing with the lock of blonde hair that had fallen out of place over her ear. “The only way to get a message to him is for someone to go there and personally collect him. While we don’t know the severity of what he’s doing, this is a matter of great importance that the Dwarves have dismissed as trivial. If Master Krav Drynnur can’t leave, then you should aid him with whatever he’s doing so that he can get to Iron Forge as soon as possible.”

“What about the tower?” I looked at Starna. “They should be able to send someone within a few days.”

“That was my next call.” My Elf companion swallowed. “But I’ll need some privacy. They don’t like discussing personal matters with outsiders.”

“That’s fine. I was wanting to find the Naledzar handler to see what can be done about that bounty.” The two strongest assassin groups on Tefira were the Naledzar and the Treca. If the Elves wanted us dead in a way to send a message, then they’d hire the Naledzar. The native race resembled a rat-man, with the exception of the needle on the back of each elbow. The stinger was filled with a fluid that would begin to freeze the body of whoever they stung. If a cure wasn’t administered quickly, then the victim’s whole body would turn into a block of ice. The Naledzar were known for moving their targets to a very visible place, then smashing the ice statue to send a message. We’d seen a few Naledzar during our travels and I’d fought them a couple times. Just thinking about having to take the frost sent a shiver down my spine.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

The Treca were a lot more reserved. While the Naledzar wanted everyone to know that they had carried out the assassination, you’d never see a Treca coming or know that they had been near the scene. Their ability to blend in with their surroundings allowed the reptilian people to get close to their targets and do things like poison food or drinks that have already been tested for poison. Their eyes are able to focus like a telescope, making them the perfect snipers. Without the aid of magic, they can accurately shoot from much farther away than the best Elves, and the few Treca who do have magic are even more deadly.

I’d still need to talk to the Treca, but they didn’t maintain public presence in the major cities like the Naledzar. They also investigated their targets before assassinating them. It wouldn’t take long for the Treca to figure out we had nothing to do with the ambassador’s deaths, then they’d refuse to go after the bounty. There was another group called the Hand of Correction that would make people disappear, but that was staffed by various races and I didn’t see the Agate Senate consorting with a group that condoned the mixing of races.

“You’re going to the red district alone?” Alessa didn’t try to hide the disapproval in her voice. “You’re a prince now. Do you really think that’s wise?”

The look Starna gave me agreed with my cousin, but I wasn’t as sheltered as the two of them had been. “I’ll be fine. I’ve been to plenty of red districts in port cities. That’s usually where our higher paying clients were.”

“You won’t have Commander Garm to look out for you or Vin to watch your back.” Alessa shook her head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“With that bounty on our head, we’re not going to be able to move around freely. I’d rather fight a room full of assassins now than have them jump me the first time I’m fighting something else.” I crossed my arms. “I can take care of myself. Don’t worry.”

Neither woman looked like they believed me, but thankfully they didn’t push the subject anymore.

“The Agate and Fulmen Senates have recalled their ambassadors.” The Queen sighed. “My father destroyed our relationship with most of the Senates. I’m having to spend most of my time trying to repair that damage.” The exhaustion looked like it was starting to wear on her more. Like she was willing herself to stay awake despite desperately needing sleep. “I just hope this doesn’t devolve into a war.”

“I doubt they’re that foolish.” I didn’t know a lot about politics, but I did know that people would do illogical things when their pride got hurt. There were few races that were as proud as the Elves. “With our relationship with the Mebope and the Tower, mobilizing troops would be very costly for them.”

“Most of the Mebope are half a world away and would take two months to sail here across the ocean.” My cousin didn’t look comforted. “And the tower hasn’t pledged its support yet.” She looked at Starna. “I can’t get in touch with your mother. The Tower says that she’s on a mission and can’t be reached. She’s my only contact with the Tower, so if you could get Master Ammabus to contact me, I would be grateful.”

The brunette next to me nodded. She seemed to be lost in thought while we talked about the Mebope. I knew that her mother was an ambassador to the Mebope. All this talk about danger and war must have made her worried about her parents.

“Hey.” I touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m sure everything is fine.”

“Yeah…” Starna was staring off into space and I doubted she’d even heard what I’d said.

“Well.” I looked at my cousin. “I’m going to leave you two ladies to finish while I do something about this bounty.”

“Sectum…” Alessa glared at me, though there was a lot of concern on her face. “Be careful.”