"Phyn." Someone was shaking me awake. "Are you okay?" the voice returned with a steady tone.

I blinked my eyes open, staring up at Broc. His warm brown eyes, full of concern. My headache stopped me from answering his question. I didn't want to speak, it felt like too much effort.

"Phyn?" He waved his hand in front of my face, annoying me. "I'm fine." I croaked, causing him to smile.

"There she is." He said, looking back to Luca. He stood nervously to the back, arms crossed. I sat up, ignoring how much I ached. I looked down at the mess I made of myself. Blood and dirt, I was in rough shape."I'm sorry about your clothes." I muttered looking up apologetically at Broc. He laughed, "It's fine, it'll wash out."

He shrugged, "You sure you're good? I don't have to get a healer or anything?" I shook my head, "I overused my gift. This is a common reaction."

He paused, frowning, "Okay, I'll trust your judgment but, both of you need a bath." He scrunched up his nose. "Luca can wash in the creek but we'll get you a wash basin and some privacy." He offered, standing up. He peered over checking on a large pot already being heated over the fire.

"You are the most motherly man I've ever met." I remarked, finding my own feet. Broc chuckled, "Wow...that's a new one, but I'll take it as a compliment." He determined, heading for the door. I went to follow but he pointed his finger at me determinedly.

"You just sit, I'll get everything ready for you." He instructed, going out the door. I nodded, taking a seat on the arm of the chair.

I studied Luca, he still looked unsettled. "Are you okay?" I asked him, disrupting his thoughts. He blinked, surprised at my question, "Ya..." his voice trailed off. "I don't know. I thought we finally made some headway and then it was thrown back into our faces. Not to mention watching you collapse and black out on the floor." Luca added, finding my eyes again.

I frowned,"I'm sorry about that." I should have been more careful.

He chuckled, "Why are you sorry? I'm the one who pushed you to come with me." Guilt flooded his gaze.

"I wanted to come. Normally I'd be able to handle this much teleporting but I'm still getting past whatever the Remedy drugged me with." I tried to reassure him. A flash of anger in his eyes.

I bit my lip, "I haven't really given myself a break since then. I should have been more cautious." I frowned at my hands, studying the specks of blood across them.

Luca uncrossed his arms. "You are going to be okay, right?" He searched my eyes for a genuine answer.

"I've wrecked myself worse than this and bounced back fine. I just need to rest." I said confidently.

"Good, I don't want to lose my only ally." He leaned back against the fireplace. I stared at him a little surprised. His only ally. I was glad he cared, I was glad someone cared whether I lived or died.

"So what am I chopped liver?" Broc called bringing the wash basin inside. He left it in the center of the room.

"No but I'd call you more of an annoying mentor than an ally." Luca smirked, crossing his arms. "Oh ouch, I'm both offended and endeared." He grinned, nonetheless.

"At least you still look up to me." He checked the pot over the fire.

"Ya whatever, I'm going to go clean up." Luca rolled his eyes. Grabbing a few things, he headed out the door.

Broc chuckled, "How did you two get so messy?" He asked, turning to me with the question. I frowned, finding no easy way to say it. "I blew up a cow's carcass."

"What?" He said confusion in his eyes.

I gave a nervous grin, "There was a spell we had to interrupt and it happened to be inside the cow, all I had was an arrow head and a flare, so I improvised."

"This is why I stay out of Luca's stuff, It always gets weird." Broc shook his head, picking the pot up again and walking to the center of the room.

"It's the nature of who we're up against." I watched him pour the water into a wash basin. Broc sighed, "I don't understand why you want to be involved in this." He set the pot down.

I frowned, turning my head away. How could I explain a lifetime of longing to be a hero or how I was mixed up in this regardless? I didn't want to argue with him, I bit my tongue.

Broc laid out a towel and some soap, "It's all yours." He motioned to the wash basin, "I'll be just outside, let me know when you're done." He left for outside, leaving me alone.

The light low from sunset spilled through the room, signaling the time. It was already closer to sunset.

I quickly stripped, leaving my bloody clothes in a pile and climbed into the basin. The warm water was a relief for my aching joints. I hadn't had a warm bath in so long.

I used the soap, scrubbing off the spots of blood and the rest of me. Diving my head under the water I rinsed my head off. I pulled my head back up, pushing my wet hair out of my eyes. I didn't want to ever leave the water. It was so nice. I felt like royalty staying here. It was so much better than the camp, with or without my own cabin.

I wondered where Diggery was now, likely either dead or on the run. My hands trembled at the thought that Malachi may have killed him. His threat rang in my ears. The guilt stabbed me in the gut. I didn't deserve this warm bath.

Worse I couldn't get Luca out of my head. I felt like I was betraying Diggery, even if things were over between us. The scary thing was what I felt for Luca was different. So starkly different. I felt like a fool for not understanding it. For all my luck, Luca probably didn't feel the same. It was better that way. It made the guilt easier to deal with. I would just focus on the fight in front of me. That would be enough. I sighed, reluctantly pulling myself from the warm water. The heat was already starting to dissipate anyway.

I dried myself off with the towel, finding another set of clothes, Broc must have left for me. I put the fresh clothes on, a similar material to the ones I ruined. Giving my hair one last dry with the towel, I wandered to the door.

Stepping out, I found Broc outside sitting on the steps. Taking a seat beside him, I watched the glowing sunset over the trees. The light poking through the branches, it erupted into yellow-orange rays.

"This is why I'm glad I live here." He mused, admiring it. "You have a very nice place." I agreed, the yellow orange sky making it an easy assertion. "I do, don't I?" He grinned proudly.

"Was it hard to adjust after you lost your position in Manic?"

He frowned mulling it over, "I guess so, I was a big shot in Manic, the envy of all my fellow officers. I climbed that ladder with precision. Youngest captain of the guards Manic had ever seen, and I was good at it." A brief excitement in his eyes. "So ya that hurts, but there are more important things than my pride. What Luca's doing, as much as I don't always understand, It's about something bigger. That kid would martyr himself for this if he had too. I can sacrifice a little to make sure he doesn't run himself into the ground."

I nodded, Luca was very serious about his mission. Broc tilted his head in thought, "You said yesterday that people are out for you regardless of whether you help him. Who wants a nice young lady like you dead anyway?"

"Well... I stole something from someone once, he was more dangerous than I realized. He's been hunting me ever since, I've only stayed alive because of Luca." I rested my head on my hands.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"That's unfortunate." Broc turned his head back over to the view, "So you've known Luca for a long time."

"Yes, at least from a distance." I echoed, watching Luca emerge from the forest trail. His hair still wet, he gave it a shake, hair drops scattering.

"How was the water?" Broc called as he got closer, "Cold," Luca smirked, "but you knew that." He threw his towel down, sitting on the steps next to me. Broc laughed, "Yes I did, but I couldn't exactly subject Phyn to that." Luca rolled his eyes, "No, I guess not."

I shook my head. I didn't know why Broc felt he had to spoil me, I was used to things being a lot worse.

"What were you guys talking about?" Luca asked, looking between the two of us.

"You, Phyn, me, people who want to kill Phyn. A whole host of things really." Broc summarized.

"So serious stuff then." Luca added with a half frown. "I've had enough serious stuff today." He laid back on the steps, looking up at the sky.

"It was that rough?" Broc asked, breaking his grin.

"It was." I said answering for him. The wind rushed through almost as if anticipating the change of mood. "How so?" Broc responded, adjusting his seating.

"Discord's King is dead." Luca muttered.

"Actually!?!" Broc's eyes grew wide, "That's gonna have some serious ripple effects."

"The worst part was he was actually willing to help us." I hung my head.

Broc's expression dropped, "Things are about to go down aren't they."

"Yes." Luca breathed, "We have no capitals on our side and they will all rejoin with the Remedy." I bit my lip, realizing the mountain we were up against. We were running out of time.

"We can't stop what's coming and I wish that wasn't true." Luca echoed, throwing his fist down on the deck. The silence sat heavy. I didn't know what that meant moving forward. What would we do now?

"I think we need a good distraction." Broc offered, getting up, "To lighten the mood, we can go back to depressing thoughts tomorrow." He motioned for us to stand, "We're going on a field trip, and I'm having no arguments." He commanded, forcing us to move.

I smirked, Broc was good for morale. He walked back inside making a ruckus of noise, gathering supplies.

Luca reluctantly sat up, heaving a sigh he stopped and studied my expression, his brows partially furrowed, he looked deep in my eyes searching for something.

I gave him a nervous grin. "What?" I asked, trying to break the seriousness in his face. "I don't know." He mumbled, looking away. "I don't know what I'm doing anymore." He admitted pain etched across his face.

"We'll figure out a new plan tomorrow. This isn't all on you, or even us for that matter." I put my hand on his shoulder. "I know." He said, giving a bittersweet smile, "That doesn't mean it doesn't feel like that."

"I think Broc has the right idea. We need a happy distraction." I decided, finding my feet. He looked up with apathetic eyes,"Ya? We can't just drown in self pity." He sighed, throwing his head in his hands. I shook my head, "No no, we have to dance in the rain." I took his arm. He rolled his eyes, letting me pull him to his feet.

He smirked dully, "It's not raining."

"It is in there." I pointed to his forehead, "It's a storm in your head."

"I don't dance." He huffed, stubbornly. I pulled him away from the porch. "It's never too late to learn and you don't have to be any good. I for one am a horrible dancer."

He raised his eyebrows, "Really? I'd love to see some of those horrible dance moves." He chuckled, his eyes lighting up. I shook my head, "Not until you agree to join me. I don't make a fool of myself alone." I said in a fake stern tone.

"Well then I might have to give in. I don't suppose music is a requirement." He spoke, stepping closer. My heartbeat jumping. "It does help make this less of an awkward mess but we'll manage." I took both his hands, fighting back a blush.

"Basically you just move together." I said, attempting a bit of a sway. "It's that simple." Luca smirked. Suddenly he took the lead, fixing our timing. He spun me under his arm, pulling me back in step.

"You do know how to dance!" I gawked at him.

"I never said I didn't, I only said that I don't." He increased his smirk.

"Ya whatever" I broke our dance, stepping back, "You knew what I thought." I crossed my arms.

"Yes but I had fun surprising you." He grinned, raising an eyebrow, "Isn't the point of this to have fun?"

"Yes..." I admitted, keeping my frown. "Good then. Let's see if Broc needs any help." He talked as he turned, going for the stairs.

I bit my lip, my heart beating in my head. The world was going to burn but I was swooning over him like a fool. I shouldn't let myself be happy like this, I didn't deserve it. I just had to gather myself, throw it from my mind. I let out a sigh, tucking my hair behind my ear and heading towards the steps.

"You ready Phyn!" Broc called, finding me as he stepped outside. I nodded, standing below. "Great, let's go." He walked out, Luca following behind.

"Where are we going anyway?" I asked, curious to what Broc had in mind. "Just a little ways up the road. Although it's true there is no village close to here, there is a nice little monastery nearby. They sell a few things and provide a place for weary travelers. I thought it'd be a fun trek." He explained leading us onto a wider path.

The sun was still going down but we did have at least a good hour of daylight left. From this vantage point you could see just how big the forest was. It bounded across the hilly landscape, an ocean of trees. If I had more time I'd chart it all out.

"The forest is huge." I said breaking the silence as we marched by it. Luca nodded",Yes it's one of the largest in Tetrad, beaten out only by the Northern forest. The forest outside Mirth is close but it's a bit smaller." His voice bubbling up with excitement. I smirked at his eagerness to share that bit of knowledge.

"Yes it is big." Broc agreed, looking proudly at it as if he had something to do with it. I shook my head, chuckling at him silently. I couldn't help but grin, no matter how defeated our spirits felt underneath.

"So what should we be expecting exactly, when we get there? Anything we should know so we don't step on any toes." I asked, looking around Luca to get an answer from Broc. "Um well there's the typical manners one should adhere to. Keep your language clean, be gracious, don't be a slob. They'll probably offer us stuff, only take the minimum, enough to accept their hospitality but not to take advantage." Broc suggested.

"When do I ever act like a slob?" Luca butted in.

"Oh Luca if you only knew. I don't think you even know what a comb is." Broc snorted, pointing at his messy hair. Luca frowned, trying to flatten out his hair. "I'm not that bad." He mumbled, his face turning slightly red.

"You're not irredeemable, I'll give you that." Broc laughed, giving him a pat on the shoulder. "What about you Broc?" Luca shot back, raising his eyebrows. Broc shook his head.

"The difference between you and me is that I can actually switch on my manners. I was a high court official, or did you forget?"

I laughed at them, rolling my eyes. "I have terrible manners and I don't mind admitting it. You don't pick up good manners on the streets of anywhere."

Broc shook his head, "I'm sure we'll all be fine."

A building that must be the monastery came into view from in between the trees. A large stone building with two towers and a beautiful stained glass window. It poked out from behind one of the hills.

I moved my head around to try to get a better view. It fell behind the trees as we got closer, leaving our view once more.

Closing the bend voices rang around. Broc frowned, tightening his stance. A husky man's voice came first, "Miss if you just give us your money we don't need to hurt you." He threatened. Broc pressed his finger to his lips, sneaking up to the edge of the turn. A woman's voice rang out, laughing, it shocked me how patronizing it sounded.

She ended her cackle, "Sorry, but I find it hilarious that you think you could even put a scratch on me." I got closer, the trees hiding their identity.

"No seriously lady, I have no problem slitting your throat and taking what you have. If your smart-"

"Do it, try." She cut him off, her figure walking directly up to him. He trembled slightly at her confidence. There was a second man to the left of her, both of them armed. The one man may have even had a sword.

Broc leaned over to us whispering, "Okay, so follow my lead and we'll disarm these guys fast..." his voice trailed off as we watched the speaker man lunge at the woman with his blade.

Ducking, she dodged his attack, swinging around her staff. She whacked him across the forehead and he stammered back in shock. She swung it back, hitting the other man coming from behind. Kicking him in the stomach she sent him to the floor in a heap.

The first thief dusted himself off, lunging at her again. She threw down her staff and stepped with the strike. Taking hold of the blade he aimed for her, she turned it around. She jabbed it into his arm, leaving it protruding out of his shoulder. He cried out in pain, the three of us running out to the scene, finally snapping out of the initial shock. She tossed him to the floor with a smirk.

"Good thing we're close to a monastery eh? We can get him stitched up." She picked up her staff, standing effortlessly. I stared at her in awe, I had never seen a woman fight like her.

She put her hand on her hip, leaning on her staff, "Long time no see little one." I froze recognizing her, the strange woman I met in Lattice.

"Emery." I said her name, surprised to see her here. She gave me a confident nod. "Mind helping me get these brutes up there?" She asked giving look the two men she incapacitated questionably looks. We all stood gawking at her, she gave a nervous laugh. "I'm sure we have much to discuss." She muttered, obliging our astonishment.

What in the world was she doing here? My mind was buzzing with so many questions, maybe now I could actually get some answers out of her. Broc nodded, directing Luca to help her, supporting one himself. I scurried over to help, even though he probably didn't need it. I took the other arm of the ruffian, The four of us trekking up to the monastery.