“I’m Gadis, he’s Kern,” the female Sentinel said. “It goes easier if you do what Eilic says. At least until Modius returns. The Warden is the only one that calls him to heel.”

“That doesn’t inspire me to feel any better about it,” Trynneia said. Every part of her face hurt, and her scalp continued to bleed. “Forgive me if I don’t restrain myself.”

“We’ve tried stopping him before,” Kern added. “It doesn’t go well.”

“So you just go along with it?” Trynneia asked. “He’s only one man.” She looked at Gadis, but the Sentinel stared straight ahead.

“Be thankful he hasn’t done worse,” Kern said, dabbing a wet rag at her wounds. She flinched. “He probably will.”

“Let me go then. You’re reasonable.”

“More like we’re tolerant,” Gadis said. “Keeps the drama low.”

“The Light doesn’t justify what he does, Gadis. Both of you see that, don’t you?”

Kern grunted. “Just keep walking. The rest of us are up ahead. I don’t want to gag you.”

Ditan screamed somewhere behind them. “There’s nothing you can do for him. Eilic won’t kill him,” Gadis tried to reassure her.

Trynneia cringed as her friend’s screams cut off abruptly. No amount of assurance would persuade her that he wasn’t in dire need of her help. Each Sentinel tightened their grip on her arms. Jerk as she might, she wouldn’t break free. Her energy had been spent several times over today. She could barely keep on her feet. He screamed again, continuing until his voice went hoarse before stopping.

“I told you so,” Gadis said.

The jagged cuts and scratches that littered her scalp stung and itched. She had never felt the breeze, cool but not soothing, blow across her bare head. They had helped Eilic do it, yet tried unconvincingly to assure her they had no say.

Momma had brushed that hair and braided it before she ran out to play. Nothing existed for her now that Eilic wouldn’t turn to torment. She feared the Warden’s return, but her dealings with him had at least been civil. Even as she walked, Trynneia knew Ditan was powerless in Eilic’s hands.

She held out a small hope that Modius might help them, but they were being held captive for him. The situation at home had proceeded according to his plans. Trynneia believed he had manipulated the Magistrate into delivering them into captivity. He did it in a way to appease her townsfolk, but he never would have sentenced them to this on his own.

The Eluvan Vigil had no purpose in Lidoria that she knew, and their arrival had hastened this result. She looked down at the runes on her hands and arms, their thin pale lines on her gray skin almost invisible. These abilities have limits. I need to learn what they are, if not for my sake then for Ditan’s. I have to believe they will at least take us to Praxen. What happens then, I have no idea.

Rendrys had taught her little of the Elerion Council or the Regency that ruled it. Until the murders began, she’d scarcely given thought to life outside of Lidoria, content to remain in the farmland and tiny forests that dotted the land surrounding it. Praxen’s existence was as foreign to her as the will o’ the wisps that followed her intermittently. She knew only that it was across a vast desert, nearly impassible.

Gadis and Kern led her from the trees. She’d lost all sense of where the waystation had been. The road from Lidoria passed them, and she could see the trail to the waystation far distant. Several wagons awaited them, large enough to carry massive amounts of provisions. She remembered seeing wagons like this several days before. Numerous animals grazed nearby, camels and horses unhitched and allowed to wander.

“We’ve been here a week,” Gadis said. “Modius wanted us held back in case we were needed. He prefers having a force in reserve.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Trynneia didn’t care to know but asked anyway. Maybe the Sentinel would let slip some information that would help.

“Just making conversation, girl. Would you rather I remain silent?”

Kern left them by the nearest wagon, departing to get food and drink. This is where the other Sentinels were going, she realized. Once they subdued us, more weren’t needed back there.

“No, I suppose not.” Anything to keep her mind occupied. Don’t think about Ditan. He’s beyond your aid, for now, she told herself. Please hold on, Dee.

“Two Cadres were in town to resupply. Even so, we’re not ready for the trip.”

“Why were you even here?” Trynneia asked. “I can’t imagine why so many Eluvans would come to Lidoria.”

“There’s only one reason they’d send a Cadre. Surely you’ve figured out why.”

Shamans. They hunt shamans. Her heart sank. Driver. They came for him. But why? Now they have Ditan instead. They wanted him killed outright at the trial, and the Magistrate defied the Warden. I wonder if maybe he’d have been better off?

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-Don’t think that.-

“You didn’t get what you came for,” she said.

Gadis nodded. “Instead we got your friend. And whatever you are.”

Lightblessed. She doesn’t know.

I barely do.

“Lucky me,” Trynneia said.

“I’m not sure how long you’ll be thinking that,” Gadis replied. She untied Trynneia’s hands and leaned against the wagon, watching her. Trynneia watched back.

“Why’d you do that?”

“Kern’s on his way with food. Figured I’d let you eat. You won’t go anywhere.”

Trynneia reached for her head, running fingers along the cuts and scratches, disturbing the scabs that began to form. Sticky blood coated her fingertips.

“Watch yourself around Eilic, girl. He will make every excuse to be near you. Don’t let him, but don’t fight him.”

“What kind of advice is that? I see what he’s capable of.”

“No offense, girl, but you really don’t. Even I can’t warn you of all the things he’ll do to you.”

“Won’t Modius-”

“Modius can only do so much. The Warden has to sleep too.”

Unconsciously, Trynneia looked over her shoulder to the woods. As if on cue, Eilic sauntered out followed by his mother. She feared for her friend, nowhere to be seen. He didn’t see her, instead heading to a different wagon with Sariam. Kern returned with food.

Trynneia picked at some overcooked chicken, nibbling out of habit more than hunger. Fear robbed her of her appetite, and she didn’t know how much she trusted food from the Sentinels.

“Eat, girl,” Kern urged. He took a bite of her food. “It’s not poisoned.”

She could see dust kicking up down the road. More wagons approached, extending a long line back to Lidoria. Where the other wagons had been, she did not know. Trynneia ate as she watched, each bite bland and flavorless. Ditan’s absence weighed upon her, erasing her appetite.

As they got closer, she could hear the rumble of their wheels and make out the beasts pulling them along. Some Sentinels rode horses among them, passing back and forth like a guard. She thought there was an inherent precision in the way they moved, not unlike bees or butterflies. Mechanical, but with purpose.

“I hope you’re ready, Trynneia. When the Warden gets here, he’ll put you into my care. I’ll make sure of it,” Eilic said, walking around the wagon. “If he knows what’s good for him.” Trynneia shuddered and lowered her plate, unwilling to look him in the eye.

“Where’s Ditan?” she asked.

“You miss your boyfriend already?” He gestured carelessly towards the trees. “He’s back there somewhere. I might get him before we leave.” Eilic leaned in and took a big sniff near her neck. “If someone gives me a reason to.”

“Leave her alone, Eilic,” Gadis said. “You know the Warden sent ahead for them to be held for him alone. You’ve done enough.”

“You have never stopped me before, Gadis,” he said, wedging between the two women. “Back off.” His hands groped at Trynneia, and she shrugged away. “You’ll forget him soon,” he said to her. “I’m sure you’d prefer a real man to that gobbo shaman gutter trash.”

Gadis punched him away and drew her sword. “Keep your hands to yourself, Eilic.”

“Aww, my little slut is jealous that I’ve found a new toy.” A serpentine smile crawled across his face. “I see where we stand.” He rubbed Trynneia’s head vigorously, breaking the fresh scabs apart. “Don’t you worry about a thing.” He walked away, whistling a jaunty tune.

“You’re going to pay for that, aren’t you?” Trynneia asked.

“You have no idea,” Gadis said. “I don’t know why I did that.”

“Motherly instinct, perhaps?” Kern joked. “Unfortunately, his bite tears flesh faster than his bark sounds.”

“Thank you, Gadis.”

“I don’t want your thanks. Just finish this,” she said, handing her plate over. Gadis kept her eye on Eilic. “I can get more. We have a long trip ahead of us.”

Trynneia sat on the ground, too tired to care. The fuzzing in her head did not balance the pain Eilic had already inflicted, and her powers had not protected or healed her. She ate only a few more bites, then abandoned it.

The first of the wagons arrived, with Modius at its head. He rode a massive stallion that looked every bit the mount worthy of a Warden, or at least Trynneia assumed so. He saw her and smiled.

“There’s my prize, looking no worse than I left her.” He dismounted and walked over to her. “Except for those luxurious locks of hair. Where did they go? Eilic!” The Warden shouted, looking around for him. His instant blame told her that Eilic had done this before.

“Don’t worry, he was quite gentle,” she said. Fight this with humor. Don’t let them bow you. Show your strength.

“A beautiful liar you are, young Trynneia. Eilic! Get over here,” he yelled again. “Bring the Red,” he commanded Kern. “I want the girl healed.”

Eilic sauntered into view, throwing his hands up in greeting. “Warden! We were just making our guests feel comfortable. You know how it is.”

“I know I’m missing a shaman, and the Priestess’ young daughter here has nearly been scalped. Why do you try my patience?”

“She is otherwise unspoiled for you, Warden. I merely humbled her.”

“After the sham trial we put her through, she didn’t need it. Where is your mother?”

“Mother is wherever she wants to be. She doesn’t report to me.”

Modius punched him, knocking Eilic to the ground. “That was for your impertinence. Fetch your mother, then bring me the shaman.”

Trynneia watched their interplay, trying to determine how much authority the Warden truly had. Eilic scurried off without saying another word. She decided Modius held the higher status and watched him more closely. If he could do that to Eilic, he could be worse to her.

“I’m firm, but fair, Trynneia. He mishandled you and continues to burn my trust. My Lord leaves him to me. It’s a thankless job.”

“I see.”

“Good. I brought you a friend, by the way. Come here,” he beckoned, walking to the back of the newest wagon. “I think you may be acquainted?”

Asleep in the back of the wagon, Ylane rested. Faint traces of runes glowed on her too. I’m not alone in this! Her hands and feet were bound, and they were attached to eyelets screwed into the floor.

“You captured her too?”

“I spared her a life of replacing you. Your Miss Jessmyn would have been a poor substitute for your mother, but when I saw she had Elerion’s marks as well, I knew this girl would supplant her. Instead, I liberated the girl and brought her along. You both deserve to be trained in Praxen.”

Trynneia didn’t believe him for a moment. She saw the dried blood near Ylane’s head. Only the glowing runes told her she lived.