Adelia turned away, and Connor got dressed.

“So, what happened?” Connor asked.

“How much do you remember?” she asked.

“I remember everything up until I got stabbed… then it gets a bit fuzzy. I remember you carrying he me here, but that’s about it,” Connor said, “how’d you find me anyway?”

“I was out with a group of Korvac’s thieves pursuing any leads on the kidnapping victims and slavery—”

“Any luck with that?” Connor interrupted.

“No, I kept losing the trails of the kidnap victims, and the slavers weren’t much help,” she said, “The Syndicate is insanely paranoid. Most of the slavers made their deliveries to Bvorn and those that didn’t don’t even know who they’re selling to.

“They meet in different places each time, so I couldn’t even find something there. As I was saying though… I’d just reached another dead end when I heard the guards sound alarms all over the city.

“Knowing you, I thought you were probably the cause of the chaos, or at least heavily involved. So, I headed straight for the commotion.

“I saw some Shadowcloaks rushing down the street, and I questioned one of them. When he told me about what had happened, and who they were after I knew it must be you, so I followed your trail.”

“How did you follow my trail through all of that?” Connor asked.

Adelia scoffed. “I’d know your scent anywhere,” she said. She froze as if realizing what she’d said.

“My scent?” Connor asked.

“That’s not important,” Adelia said.

Connor let it slide… for now.

“I lost your trail a few times, but it wasn’t hard to figure out the direction you wanted to go, so I went that way. When I heard fighting, I rushed up and saw a Shadowcloak standing over you with a sword, so I threw my dagger,” she said.

“Thanks for that by the way,” Connor said.

“Anytime,” she said.

Connor started strapping on his leather armor on over his shirt and winced. It was awkward enough without a fresh scar on his stomach. “Could you help me with this?” he asked.

She helped strap him in and continued, “After you were stabbed, I ordered my men to take Vadik and Bvorn to Korvac and instructed them to keep Bvorn alive. I knew you’d want to interrogate him.

“Then, I carried you here as fast as I could and demanded The High Priestess heal you. I waited while they fussed over you, and when they were done, I watched over you until you caught me having a nap.”

The gown had been comfortable, but it felt good to have the familiar safety of his leather armor once again. Not safe enough though, he thought bitterly.

Thank the gods she’d showed up when she did… though it might make things awkward if he kept thanking her. One thing still bothered him though.

“After I was stabbed… I could barely think, but I vaguely remember hearing you arguing with someone. It sounded like you were arguing with Lyra about some kind of bargain or agreement? I’m not sure if it was a dream, but I thought I’d ask,” he said.

Adelia said nothing for a long moment. “We can talk about it later,” she said.

“So, I wasn’t just imagining things?” Connor asked.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“No. It happened. I’ll tell you about it, but let’s get Victor back first, okay?” she said.

Why didn’t she want to tell him? Just what kind of bargain had she struck with the goddess?

“Alright. I’ll wait until then, but as soon as we get this mess sorted out, I want to know what deal you made. I owe you at least that,” he said.

Adelia nodded, though her eyes looked far away.

With his armor on, and his rapier and bottomless bag in place, the two of them left the temple.

***

The High Priestess sat in a plain, clean room facing a shimmering image of Connor and Adelia leaving the temple.

She sighed.

“Some people just don’t listen,” she said, “are you sure it was wise for us to intervene? Healing is our cause, and I embrace it with all my soul, but with your sister’s prediction… healing this one seems like it may do more harm than good.”

“Even my sister is unsure what the outcome will be. They may well destroy this world, but with the two of them indebted to me… perhaps we can steer them in a better direction,” said a voice that hummed with power.

“I hope so, my goddess I hope so…” Lyra said.

***

Connor wrapped his cloak tighter around himself as he and Adelia walked down the steps of the temple.

He shivered. “When did it get so cold?” he muttered.

“It’s because you lost so much blood,” Adelia said, “you should rest for a few days. The healing magic she used is going to take a heavy toll on you. Panacea likes to help the body along rather than do all the healing through magic. The high priestess wasn’t kidding when she told you this spell is going to drain your vitality until you are fully recovered.”

“I’ll do my best to stay out of trouble,” he assured her.

“Sure you will,” Adelia said dryly.

The two walked down the long streets, lit only by torches and the soft glow of moonlight.

His legs trembled, and their pace was slow. Every time he tried to push himself to go faster, Adelia would threaten to carry him the rest of the way.

Even so, about halfway there, he felt like the life was being sucked out of him. His legs felt weaker and weaker, and he had to lean on her for support.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to carry you?” Adelia asked.

“This is fine,” Connor said, panting slightly even with Adelia’s help.

His legs felt like lead, but he refused to be carried like a meek kitten. Even if he felt like one right now.

When they finally reached The Stars of Night guild, she was basically holding him on his feet. She used her unnatural strength and grace to make it look like he was only leaning on her though.

Something for which his pride was grateful.

The guards let them through without comment, and they went straight to Korvac’s office.

The same man they had encountered before stood guard.

This time, when he saw the two walk up, his eyes went wide, and he leapt to open the door and tell his master they’d arrived.

“It seems you made an impression,” Connor said with a soft chuckle.

“I have a way with words,” Adelia said.

“And knives…” Connor added.

Vadik waited for them inside Korvac’s office, along with Korvac himself.

“Ah, you live,” Korvac said, “this is good. Your uncle would skin me alive if anything happened to you. You look pale though… should you be up on your feet so soon?

“From what I’ve heard, you’re lucky to be breathing. You aren’t going to drop dead on me are you, boy? I’m really quite attached to my skin, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

Connor collapsed into the chair opposite Korvac with a relieved sigh.

“I’ll be fine,” Connor said, “just a bit tired is all.”

Korvac narrowed his eyes.

“So where do we stand with Bvorn?” Connor asked, “I went through a lot to get him back here. I hope you’ve kept him alive.”

“Bvorn is alive and well. I must say… I’m impressed. I thought you were just going to look for documents, or any other clues that might lead us to Victor,” Korvac said.

Connor shrugged. “He looked like a clue at the time,” he said.

Vadik gave a fake cough. “Showoff,” he said.

Everyone ignored him.

“Like I said, we have Bvorn in custody, but getting him to talk is another matter entirely. He’s a tough man and getting any information out of him is going to be remarkably difficult,” Korvac said.

“Perhaps we should bring in a wizard?” Connor asked.

Korvac rubbed his temples. He had dark circles under his eyes and worry lines on his face. He seemed almost to have aged twenty years in just a few days.

“I’ve already sent for a wizard friend of mine who specializes in helping with some of my more important interrogations. She costs a fortune, but in this case, I think it’s worth it. I don’t know if you’ve ever worked with a wizard in this way before, but I feel I should warn you that it isn’t a sure thing.

“Magic can be tricky, and though I’m no expert, I’ve heard from many a wizard that mind magic is even more difficult and unreliable. Even if it works, there are still ways that Bvorn can resist it, and if we try to just bull our way through…we could end up scrambling his brains or killing him,” Korvac said.

“We have to take the chance. We know essentially nothing about The Syndicate, Victor’s disappearance, or where Bvorn fits in. We need to get as much out of Bvorn as we can,” Connor said, “when will your wizard friend get here?”

“Not sure. She doesn’t like to be too exact with when she will be where, but I did stress the urgency of the situation. I don’t think she’ll keep us waiting for long.”

“That’s good,” Connor said, “I’d like to be there for the interrogation.”

“I expected as much,” Korvac said.