They followed the sun west. As it tipped down to the horizon, they halted. Alize squinted forward. She could hear the trampling of hooves ahead of her but the rider appeared directly out of the sun, invisible until the last moment.

Alize leaned forward, brandishing her dagger, but Kell dismounted his horse, stepping back. The figure before her slowed. She was a woman, her skin dry and splotchy from the coarse desert environment. The wind whipped her clothing around her, making her appear more like a fire than a staid willow tree. A thin scarf covered her mouth to block out the dust. She approached the two travelers guardedly.

“Sargon Kelesh!” The woman tugged the scarf to her neck to reveal a broad smile spreading across her face. “Has Parousia tired you at last?”

“Milady Youni,” Kell bowed lowly. As he rose, he gestured for Alize to dismount her horse. “Princess Greer came to us two nights ago to tell us Tamer’s location. I would have come sooner.”

“And Sargon Davram?”

“He sends his support.”

“Greer heard rumors that he is unwell. She worries for him.”

“He has improved,” Kell’s warm voice alluded to his own relief to pronounce the words.

Alize’s shoes sank into the cool sand. She studied the Youni’s face in the fading light while she and Kell swapped news. A curved sword swung to her side and Alize wondered if the woman could wield it.

“And this is?” The woman abruptly turned her attention to Alize.

“Of course. Allow me to present Alize, a representative for the free Hrumi.”

Youni caught Kell’s arm. “A Hrumi? Dare I believe it?”

“She’s real as iron and just as charming.”

Alize grimaced at Kell’s description.

“Alize, this is Lady Youni, one of Princess Greer’s most faithful friends.”

Alize faltered. She knew not how to show deference to this woman, nor if the Hrumi would approve of such a gesture.

But the noblewoman preempted her, sinking into a low curtsy. “Such a pleasure, to meet a free Hrumi. I hope I am not too forward, but you may have brought my princess and her father their salvation.”

As they approached the heavy fortifications, Alize limited herself to furtive glances, needing to control her escorts’ impression of her. She represented all the Hrumi and they would not give their opponent the upper hand by displaying wonder like an eager child.

Supposedly, the Amber Valley had once been lush and fertile, until a great flood had redirected the river course far upstream. The cloud patterns kept the rain away, so without the river, the land parched.

Alize distrusted the legend. Inside the valley, massive stone ruins lined bedrock walls. Though some stood detached, most consisted of carved angles of buildings hewn into the rocks, as if the earth itself had yielded the structures forth fully formed. Even weathered after so many centuries, the carvings bore the graceful details of careful craftsmanship. Stone staircases dipped up and down the cliff walls to doorways poised high above the valley floor. Alize could scarcely imagine why a society in a lush environment would choose to carve their buildings so painstakingly if trees with good wood grew nearby.

Flickers in the upper valley kept catching her eye and Alize mentally noted how many black tipped arrows pointed out the stone windows, strung on the bows of disciplined archers. Hundreds of eyes traced the three figures moving through the valley floor.

Youni led them to a small cavern where they received plain food and water. Kell picked at his without interest, but Alize knew the supplies represented luxuries in this desert environment. Greer herself greeted them mid-meal, as travel worn and weary as Alize felt.

But there was no time to waste. The valley had already settled into shadow, a premature evening in the land’s deep gash. Greer led them through the camp to a modest looking building. The inside was cavernous, illuminated by fiery torches. Great swaths of darkness claimed the upper reaches of the ceiling and the corners. A man lounged on a cushioned seat amongst a throng of torches.

“Jopi, you are dismissed.” Greer called out.

The man rose and Alize realized that he was not the prince, but a stand-in. He bowed lowly to Greer before departing out the entry way.

“Father, Sargon Kelesh has arrived see you.” Greer spoke into the darkness.

“With a guest,” the shadows answered.

“You know her, father.”

Alize sought with her eyes, but no face emerged.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“But of course. A good politician never forgets a face.” There was something tired about the way the prince spoke. “Especially not the face of the woman who saved his life.”

Alize breathed an imperceptible sigh of relief. Despite Greer’s enthusiasm, she had borne some trepidation to meet the prince again after their encounter in Venin.

The man stepped into the torchlight. He wore simple clothing, unlike his regale double on the throne. Even though she knew his face, Alize would have struggled to identify him from any of the other dusty soldiers she had seen.

“Of course your sisters did kill my father,” Prince Tamer spoke. He nodded to Kell but focused on Alize alone. “But you, mistress Hrumi, you confuse me.”

Alize straightened her spine to stand taller. It felt unnatural. “Despite the princes’ convictions, the Hrumi do not relish your antagonism.”

“And how do you reconcile this claim with your clan’s actions?”

Alize tried to keep her face serene though her heart hammered. “Context.”

“I remember the day in the forest when the Hrumi overpowered my men. Your leader,” the prince rumbled, “espouses quite violent intents.”

“You speak more truth than you realize. She paid for that with her life.”

“At whose hands?”

Alize paused. “Mine.”

Tamer raised his eyebrows. “All in context, I suppose.” He turned to shake his head at his daughter. “What have you brought me?”

“How did you know her in Venin?” Kell asked.

Tamer grinned and his smile startled Alize, for it bore the same mischievousness she sometimes caught from Davram and Kell. Alize felt herself warm to him.

“You mean to say she didn’t tell you?” Tamer drew out the word will false importance, “I spared her from capture in the Berej Mountain pass, weeks before the Temple Battle. We’ve been the closest of friends since then.”

Alize chuckled, despite herself. “I repaid the favor only later that day.”

“Forty fold,” Tamer’s voice grew serious once more, “for that is how many men would have perished without your intervention. Many of them now stand guard outside.”

Kell caught his breath and then coughed. “That was you at the Berej Mountain pass? Tamer told me about the Hrumi that challenged the clan leader-”

“Yes. I had my disagreements with Celillie long before she threatened you, Kell.”

“Now, that story I’ve not heard,” said Prince Tamer. “But here we are, and I don’t even know your name.”

“I am Alize.” She bent her head, knowing she would not perform the ceremonial sign of subordination for any prince. Neither would she curtsy, but she did not begrudge acknowledging his authority in his realm.

“Alize,” the prince repeated. “Come to see me in the valley of death. But long ago, water defined this valley. What forces, lady Hrumi, define you?”

Alize paused. She sensed the Prince’s scrutiny and knew too that Greer and Kell listened for her answer, however mild their expressions. “My beliefs,” she spoke. “And the ones I am willing to let go. The same as anyone else.”

“To let go of beliefs, mistress Hrumi, distinguishes you from nearly everyone else.” Surprising Alize, the Prince bowed to her. “Now, tell me how a Hrumi comes to meet with a beleaguered prince.”

Alize drew a breath. “I come to offer you the free Hrumi’s support against the Deku in exchange for the lives and liberty of our sisters in Parousia.”

“Icar has hired Deku assassins,” Kell explained lowly, “and they are killing the Hrumi prisoners.”

Alize nodded, appreciating that Kell omitted the complications with the soultrussing process.

“Icar thinks he has hired the Deku, but he has been deceived.” Any remaining gaiety faded from Tamer’s face as he mentioned his brother. “Nader formed an alliance with the Deku weeks ago, and apparently it’s not at my expense.”

Alize furrowed her brows. “Take comfort that the evidence suggests the Deku may only be working for themselves.”

“How so?” Tamer asked

“They have pursued my sisters since the Temple battle. From what I saw in Parousia, I believe they seek our souls. They may be exploiting your family’s quarrel for their own ambitions.”

“That is my assessment as well,” Greer confirmed. “I was in Venin last night. The Deku had pressed Jorin to capture more Hrumi. But you say that the Deku seek Hrumi souls – why? From what I’ve seen, the Deku try to take Hrumi souls, but it depletes their magic. The Hrumi die, but they are not soultrussed, and it comes at great cost to the Deku.”

Alize dropped her jaw. “From whom did you hear that?” she demanded. From the corner of her eye, Kell was shaking his head almost imperceptibly. And in her heart, Alize never questioned him. He would not have betrayed her like that.

In response, Tamer began to pace. His leather shoes made no sound against the stones. His white gloves were dusty and worn.

It was Greer who answered. “Do not judge us too harshly. We must look for alliances wherever we can find them. We have been approached by a well-informed Conjurer who supports my father against my uncles so long as they dare sponsor the Deku.”

“Nocturne,” Alize whispered, “You are negotiating with Arouah.”

Tamer’s gaze seared Alize. “How do you know that?”

“Oh,” Greer winced with curt understanding, “So he has approached the Hrumi as well?”

“Do you mean to tell me,” Kell interrupted, “that you would ally with a monster -?”

“To save ourselves?” Greer retorted. “You know Icar and Nadar. Arouah may carry a terrible legacy, but he is now offering the better alternative.”

“He promised us Parousia,” Tamer said.

Alize spoke up, “But did he tell you how?”

“He said he has forces at his disposal,” Tamer responded.

“Kogaloks. He will send the Kogaloks to take the city.”

Profound silence greeted Alize’s pronouncement. She could clearly see that Greer and Tamer had not known.

Suddenly Kell was yelling. “How did you not see fit to mention this to me and Davram?! Have you traded a city for the lives of two hundred women?! When will-”

“He awaits the Hrumi’s summons, and they await mine!” Alize shouted back.

Tamer and Greer had both paled. “I do not think so.” Tamer uttered. “He has not informed us of any delays. He moves in three days.”

Alize bent to rest her head in her hands.

“What has Arouah to do with the Kogaloks?” Greer demanded.

“He is the leader of the Kogaloks!” Alize cried.

Tamer sank back into his chair. “It cannot be.”

Alize lowered her voice. “I didn’t know either. Look, if it’s true that Arouah is still mobilizing, we need to take Parousia first. He doesn’t care about the Hrumi, or the lives of any of your citizens. He cares only to punish the Deku.”

“For what?”

“A curse. He will fight them with all the Kogalok forces.”

“So why does he seek either of our alliances?” Kell asked lowly.

“Our network in Parousia would provide him entry to the city,” Greer answered.

“And the Hrumi will fight Deku,” Alize acknowledged. “So the real question is, do we even need Arouah?”

“No,” Tamer’s face still rested in an expression of muted horror. “Not if we can ally with the Hrumi.”

Alize closed her eyes but felt the silent probing of her companions. “That is, indeed, the question.”

And four heads leaned into the table.