Chapter Twenty-Five

As the suns sank into the horizon, the group stopped to make camp for the night. Cyrus picked a spot a hundred feet away from the road, nestled between some trees. They were concealed from any passerby’s, but would be noticeable by anyone more carefully investigating. Protected from easily prying eyes. But someone would still need to stand guard.

Myles stood next to a pile of wood. He whispered something and pointed his finger, and a thin stream of fire sprang out, lighting the sticks that he’d carefully arranged on fire. Cyrus had explained that Myles was a battlemage specializing in fire.

Sloane gasped as she watched him work his magic. Battlemages weren’t common in Tersus. Elves typically focused on nature magic and strayed away from anything that could damage the wildlife.

Moira quietly watched from the ground nearby. Duke had already eaten, begging for food as soon as they’d stopped. He was now peacefully sleeping with his head on her lap. Moira stroked his hair gently, watching as his eyes flickered in his sleep. He was whimpering in his sleep, twitching every so often. He’d been running around all day, exploring the countryside, and it had thoroughly exhausted him.

Ethan sat down next to her, watching Sloane and Myles discuss the technicality of fire magic. Cyrus had stepped out to do some quick hunting, not wanting to use up all their dried rations while they were near a forest. They sat in silence for several minutes, both content with the quiet atmosphere.

Ethan reached his hand out and slowly stroked Duke’s side. He readjusted in his sleep, stretching out so Ethan could better reach his belly. Ethan looked up at Moira, a soft grin spread across his face.

“Are they all like this? These creatures—Poodles?”

Moira looked down at Duke, watching him sleep for a second. A half-grin twitched up. “All standard poodles have similar—quirks. But Duke and I have always had a pretty strong connection. And after the Dungeon—well, he’s even more special.”

Ethan looked at her seriously. “You’re lucky to have him then.”

They both watched him for a minute, enjoying the cool night air and the warmth from the fire. Sloane and Myles had settled down nearby and were chatting. Ethan glanced up at her and asked, “Is something wrong? You just look like you’ve been through it.”

She forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

Moira looked down at Duke again and stroked him carefully, appreciating the feel of his soft fur against her hands. If she was being honest, she knew she wasn’t fine. It’d been an emotional rollercoaster, losing Duke even for a short time. It’d left a mark on her. But, not only that, she’d lost her family. She felt overwhelmingly guilty that she was causing them pain. And with everything going on, she’d been trying very hard not to think about how she’d likely never see them again.

Ethan noticed her silence and rested his hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to talk about it, but I’m here if you need me. I’m still working through some stuff myself,” he said, his voice breaking, “Achlys and I were very close.” Ethan looked away quickly, but Moira saw the tear slide down his cheek.

She grabbed his hand. “Same to you, if you ever need to talk.”

Ethan nodded back to her and returned to petting Duke.

Cyrus strode back into the camp, carrying two large birds in his hands. Moira caught his eye, and she saw his gaze drop to her fingers wrapped around Ethan’s hand. A flicker of jealousy flashed across his face, gone so quickly that she almost thought she’d imagined it.

“Dinner anyone?” he said stiffly.

“Finally!” Myles jumped to his feet. He helped Cyrus clean the birds while the other three watched.

Moira had never seen someone clean an animal. She’d never had to do it herself. With her looting ability, everything came cleaned and butchered. Promptly delivered into her Inventory as if from a grocery store. It made her appreciate her looting ability as they meticulously plucked the two birds.

They then carefully roasted the birds on the fire, not bothering to season them at all. When they were done, Moira carefully got up, sliding Duke’s head to the ground. He continued to sleep, and she made her way closer to the fire. Cyrus handed her a portion of the bird and she thanked him quietly. He nodded back at her stiffly, still annoyed after their earlier conversation.

Sloane sat next to her, and they ate their meal, watching the fire burn. The five of them sat together in silence as they ate. Until Myles broke the peace, asking, “So Sloane, why’d you want to get out of Tersus so badly?”

Sloane coughed, choking on her food. She looked around at the four of them sheepishly and swallowed. They all stared at her, waiting for a response. She cleared her throat and looked around again, as if thinking of a way to change the subject. Cyrus caught her eye and stared her down carefully.

“Okay, okay—geez. My uh family is all gone, mother passed last year and my father left when I was a child. So, I’ve had nothing left in Tersus for a while. I’ve uh—been planning a heist.” She coughed again, looking over at Moira.

“I just knew I needed to join a party and leave quickly afterwards to not arouse suspicion. So, I finally did it last night.”

Myles laughed loudly, “So, what’d you steal then that was so important?”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Sloane pulled out a necklace from under her shirt and carefully showed them. The necklace had a delicate golden chain that flowed down and ended in a dark red emerald cut stone. “It’s a pendant of invisibility.” She whispered, watching them all with wide eyes.

The men went quiet, looking at the stone that hung from her neck. “Pure invisibility?” Cyrus asked, breaking the silence.

Sloane just nodded quickly before sliding it back beneath her shirt. “That’s incredibly rare. No wonder you wanted out of there quickly. Who exactly did you steal it from?” Cyrus asked in an accusatory tone.

Sloane gulped from her spot around the fire. She looked over at Moira searchingly, waiting for a reaction before she turned back to the men. “The Governor.”

Cyrus stood up and stalked away from the fire. Ethan sighed and leaned back in his seat, shaking his head, and Myles leaped up, and rubbed his hair. “Why would you risk that? You know what kind of trouble you’ve put us in if someone figures out it was you? They’d assume we were all involved!” Myles hissed, staring down Sloane from across the fire.

Red hot anger bubbled up in her stomach. Sloane had used her. Betrayed her as a way of getting out of the city. She never should have trusted her. That’s what she got for letting someone in. She should’ve known better.

Someone grabbed her hand; she looked up and Sloane was standing in front of her. She was crying. Tears slowly streaming down her face, “I want you to know I didn’t just join you to escape. I’ve been planning this for a long time. I’ve been waiting for the right group to form before stealing it. You’re my friend Moira, not just an opportunity.”

Moira pulled her hand away. “You set me up.”

“I promise. It may have started that way, but Moira, I’m your friend.”

“It doesn’t matter. We’ve only known each other for a couple days. It’s my own fault for trusting you.” She could hear the bitterness in her own voice, feel herself pulling away, shutting down.

“Moira.”

She turned away from her, digging through her things to pull out her blanket, hiding her face as a tear leaked from her eye. She furiously rubbed it away.

Something nudged her leg. She looked down to find Duke.

He’d been woken up by Myles yelling. His hair was disheveled from his nap.

He turned back to Moira and tilted his head, looking up at her. “Give her another chance. Trust her.”

Moira sighed heavily.

Duke nudged her more forcefully.

“Please.” He whined.

Moira turned to look back at Sloane. She sat by the fire, face in her hands, shoulders slumped, looking thoroughly miserable. Myles stood next to her, arms waving wildly in the air as he berated her.

“Everyone makes mistakes,” Duke whispered again in her head.

Her anger faded just a little. Sloane was young and alone. Sure, she’d been incredibly stupid and naïve. But maybe Duke was right. Maybe she could give her another chance.

She stood and slowly walked over to where Sloane sat. Myles stopped yelling as she approached.

“You get one more chance from me. That’s it. Don’t waste it.”

Sloane sighed in relief and then grabbed Moira, pulling her into a hard hug. Moira stiffened against her. “Thank you. I won’t waste it. Promise. I know we just met. But you feel like a sister. I don’t know what I’d do if you hated me.”

Moira’s breath caught, and she relaxed slightly, awkwardly patting Sloane on the back. After a minute, she pulled away and looked around the camp. Myles had moved to the corner and seemed to be pouting with Cyrus. Ethan sat on the other side of the fire, deep in thought.

She looked down at Duke; “I suppose tonight should just be a night of confessions. What do you think?”

Duke sighed heavily and nodded, placing his head back on her lap. She stroked his head and stood up. “I guess I have a confession, too.”

Myles and Ethan looked up, glancing at each other knowingly. They’d been waiting for this. Cyrus nodded back at her, encouraging her to continue.

Sloane patted her arm and waited to hear what she had to say. “I’m not from here, from Caelum. Duke and I, we’re Outworlders.”

Myles rubbed his face. “I should’ve known.” He strode back across the camp. Ethan looked back at Cyrus and then at Moira, shaking his head. Sloane looked at Moira contemplatively and tilted her head.

“Does this mean some world-ending event is coming? Does this have to do with our Quest?” Myles asked, turning to look back at Cyrus.

“According to legend, yes. I did a bit of research while we were in Tersus. Whenever an Outworlder appears, there is always some apocalyptic event.” Cyrus answered.

“That’s where you kept wandering off to?” Myles asked. “I thought you were spending some extra time at the brothels.” He said, winking back at Moira.

Cyrus blushed, his face turning bright red in the firelight. He coughed, clearing his throat, “When have I ever done that? I don’t have to pay for sex.” He muttered back.

Ethan stood up and strode over to Cyrus. “What have you gotten us into? You knew she was an Outworlder? None of us are ready for that kind of danger.” He snarled, “And now we could have the Governor of the biggest Elven city in the world after us for stealing his most prized possession.”

They all looked at Ethan in shock. He seemed so quiet. Hearing him raise his voice like that, it made her shiver.

“Do you realize that one of us could die? We’re potentially talking about being a part of an apocalyptic event. Do you guys realize how serious that is? I couldn’t take it if another one of you died,” he said, his voice wavering.

He strode away from the five of them, heading deeper into the forest. Cyrus sighed and looked over at Myles, “It’s Achlys. I think he just needs some time.” He turned back to Moira and Sloane. “Moira, you very well could bring us danger. But I think we were meant to help you, to train you and prepare you for whatever is coming.”

Myles nodded, “I agree. If we can prevent disaster, it’s worth the danger.” He looked back at Sloane, anger flashed across his face. “You, though, you used us, and it’s going to make our lives a lot harder. We can’t trust you. And if we can’t trust you. You’re worthless to us.”

Sloane nodded, bowing her head. “I know, I’m so sorry. It was stupid. I didn’t think about how it’d potentially involve you in all this. I’ll make it up to you guys. I don’t know how, but I will.”

Myles glared at Sloane before turning and heading off after Ethan.

“I’ll take first shift if you two want to get some sleep. It’s been a long day.” Cyrus walked towards the perimeter of the camp and settled down. Moira and Sloane nodded and settled into their blankets. Duke snuggled up to Moira, and they both fell asleep staring up at the night stars.