Katrina’s eyes filled with tears as she heard the news. She had been training with Avria when Boros decided to visit. Though usually a pleasant surprise, today, he brought grave news from the Rexunii capital.
“No… it’s not possible.” Katrina said in disbelief.
Boros shifted, looking at Avria.
“I’m sorry, Kat, these are from very reliable sources, they were present when he was thrown into the pit,” Boros said.
“No! You said that he would be safe!” Her tear-filled eyes turned angry as she stepped toward him. “That’s what you said! That we had time to prepare!”
Boros stepped back, unable to speak.
“Enough!” Avria shouted. “You will control yourself, Katrina! Do not disgrace yourself over grief.”
Katrina stopped and closed her eyes. She counted in her head, doing her best to stem the tide of anger and fear. Robert was here, a living, breathing man. Now, just a memory to be mourned. It wasn’t fair. This world had given her a new life, but stolen her old one away, now completely.
“I’m sorry, my Lady,” she said, hanging her head. “We have to tell Daniel.”
Avria looked at Boros.
“He’s in the middle of a very important exercise. He won’t be reachable for several days.” Boros said. “But Kat, I am sorry for this. We truly believed that the Rexunii would not follow the doctrine of the High Espi-Dae. They hate the Torre’ Espi and have always been unique in their beliefs. This is highly unusual for them.”
Avria’s eyes widened with a sudden realization. “Unless the Torre’ are there. Which wouldn’t make any sense at all, seeing as how they hate… Or the Rexunii would be in collusion with them.” She paused for a moment. “I knew it, I knew your father’s open defiance of the King would have consequences! They are going to help the Rexunii attack Lokkadonia!” She turned to retrieve her cloak.
“Avria, that’s ridiculous,” Boros said, crossing his arms. “Our spies would never have left out such an important detail. The Torre’ have been keeping the Rexunii in their place for hundreds of years, everyone knows that.”
“Now, things are different, Boros.” She huffed. “Ever since the Hego made the decision to harbor the humans and defy not only the King of Lokkadonia but the High King as well, things have been moving against us. The Rexunii were never so bold as to openly attack our warriors in our territory.”
“Well, weren’t you going on about their new King, Alektor? How he was not to be underestimated? Perhaps it is he who decided to go along with killing Robert on his own.” Boros looked at Katrina and winced.
“That is possible,” Avria said. “But we cannot be sure.”
“I will send a message to our spies in Thule,” he said. “Find out if this is true.”
“Wait on that,” Avria said. “We cannot be sure that they haven’t been compromised. Keep sending them information, but mention nothing of our military preparations. Take care of Katrina; I am going to see my father.” She looked at the human girl with sympathy in her eyes. “I am sorry for your mate. I promise you we will avenge him.”
Katrina just nodded slightly but kept her eyes lowered.
Avria moved out of the courtyard where they were conducting that day’s training session and strode toward the manor of the Regios estate.
Boros stood in the awkward silence, even after the sound of Avria’s feet on the stones faded.
“I know you did what you could,” Katrina said, a steady flow of tears dripping down her cheeks. “I’m sorry for yelling at you, Boros.” She lifted her eyes to meet his. “I can’t thank you or your family enough for what you have done to help us.”
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“Of course,” Boros said, putting his hand on her shoulder. “We are not the savages the Rexunii are. We hold dear the gifts from above, and strive to serve the spirits.”
Katrina’s heart whirled with sorrow and grief, but her mind did its best to bring reason to her thoughts. She knew that Boros had tried his best to push for the return of Robert, whether out of devotion to the Spirits or the strange attraction that she knew he had for her.
“I have to catch up with Lady Avria,” she said. Turning to move, she was surprised by the sudden tightening of Boros’ hand on her shoulder. She stopped for a moment and looked at his hand, then at his face.
“Kat, I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to bring justice to those monsters. These are not just words said in the moment to bring some comfort to you; what I am telling you is a solemn vow; they will pay for this.”
With that, he relaxed his grip, and the two of them followed Avria to the Regios manor.
~
“I understand how you may feel, but we have not heard anything of the sort,” Lord Regios said, rubbing his tired eyes.
“Well, where did they go? Where did the Espi-Dae from Torre’ go who were at Vul De Mar? After they burned the first human, they didn’t return home.” Avria paced back and forth before her father. “I think they went to Thule and made a deal with the Rexunii. Why else would they execute the hum—” She caught herself, and glanced at Katrina, who was sitting in the corner of the room with Boros. “Why would they execute Robert? They do not follow the same customs as the rest of us.”
“They did not purify him Avria, they threw him in the blasted pit!” Lord Regios glared at her. “The Torre’ burn demons.”
Avria returned his intense gaze, and the two stared at each other for several seconds.
Finally, her father grinned and leaned back in his large chair.
“I think that wouldn’t matter, Father. Even if the Torre’ told them, I don’t think the Rexunii would burn anyone. They base their whole religion on Dio’Mar and her supposed resting place.”
“Excuse me… my Lady,” Katrina said, her voice small and respectful. “What is this pit you are speaking of?”
Avria looked at her student. Her eyes, still red and puffed from the time she had spent crying over her lost mate. Avria’s gaze held strong, and she narrowed her eyes.
“The ‘Pit of Dio’Mar’ is supposed to be the resting place of the ancient spirit, obviously named Dio’Mar.” Avria looked at her father, who only closed his eyes and shook his head, giving her the impression he was only slightly annoyed. “It is a terrible place, with monsters and demons who dwell there. The Rexunii believe that Dio’Mar still resides in its depths, judging the victims who are cast in. I am sorry for the loss of your mate; I said it before, but to be thrown in the Pit of Dio’Mar is certain death. Some of the most powerful Dae have been cast down there and have never been seen again.”
“That’s enough,” Boros said, speaking for the first time. “There is no need to elaborate, Avria; she gets it.”
Boros put his hand on Katrina’s shoulder. “The real question is, what do we do now? If we can’t rely on our spies in Thule and assuming the Torre’ have given their support to the Rexunii, what are we supposed to do?”
Lord Regios shook his head and let out a great sigh. “If what we are theorizing is true, then support from the Torre’ forfeits any support from our own King. Yomin will not go against the High King’s will. He is far too reliant on trade from the Torre’.”
He shifted in his great chair. “This puts us in a very difficult position… a position that leaves Vul De Rah, and all of the southern region of Lokkadonia, without any official support from King Yomin or the High King.”
Avria was still, her brilliant yellow eyes intense and her mind racing. She looked to Boros. “We must speak with the Hego. This information has to be discussed. Where is he?”
“He is in the war council,” Boros said. “My brother should be there as well. We will need to see them both.”
Lord Regios huffed and stood from his chair. “Well, let us go speak with them.”
“Daniel should be here, but I haven’t seen him in a while,” Katrina said. The Dae in the room looked at her. “I should probably tell him.”
“You will do nothing of the sort,” Avria said sternly. “He is being tested at a very difficult level, against one of the strongest nobles across the southern region of Lokkadonia. Oros is training him fiercely, he needs to be well trained if we are to succeed in the coming conflict. He needs to focus on that if he has any hope of success.”
“Hmm,” Boros grunted. “He’s with Delmos, isn’t he? Oros is using him to help train Daniel?”
Avria nodded. “He is doing his part to restore his honor, as well as the honor of our house. Oros is also making use of his thick skull. Don’t concern yourself.”
Avria bowed to her father and gestured to Katrina that it was time to leave. Deep inside of her a pang of guilt thrummed. She knew that Katrina would eventually discover the true whereabouts of Daniel, Oros, and Delmos. But bringing it up now would only cause more complications. They had left her here at Avria’s own suggestion. She refused to risk her life just as she was beginning to get a firm grasp of their training.