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THE VILLAGE NEAR THE border between Aragon and Rhone was just up ahead. Despite the sun sinking down below the horizon, Theo could see the small outlines of houses and shops set around in blocks, all making up the bustling town.
“Look, Bachas,” he said, looking over his shoulder at the small pixie who lounged on the back of their horse. “We’re here.”
The small town of Urra was at the western edge of Rhone, close to the Aragonian border. It was the rumored home of his aunt, Annalora, who he was tasked with bringing home to his grandfather. Looking around, Theo was relieved to see that it would likely be easy to locate her. While the village was surrounded by farming land and tournament grounds, he could see the edge of another forest in the distance.
“It took us long enough,” Bachas grumbled.
“You should have known it would take this long,” Theo replied. “After all, you’re the one with the seeing crystal, not me.”
Bachas grunted and began muttering under his breath, while Theo allowed himself to smile. Over the past weeks of riding, he had gotten to know the small pixie well enough to know he had very little sense of humor, unless he was the one who was making the joke—or, Theo thought with a grimace, he was watching someone else get hurt.
He often let it go. He knew Bachas had his own pain. A human had tricked him into a life debt, separating him from his wife for many years and forcing him to work his magic in the Magdust trade. Bachas’ master died after attacking Theo and his company in the Wandering Caverns, while Bachas had not escaped without getting hurt. Theo knew it was because of how he and the others had helped nurse him back together that Bachas was with him at all.
Well, that and my aunt is the one who has his wife, Theo added silently. For all Bachas was less than pleasant company, it was nice to have some company on the road.
Traveling with Rose and her small troupe of guards, in addition to Mary, Sophia, Ethan, and Philip, Theo had gotten used to having other people to look after, and people who would help look after him. It had been a long time since he had to worry only about himself.
Theo grimaced. It had not taken long to realize he did not like himself as much without his friends. He only thought of finding Annalora, taking his revenge upon Everon, and wondering what to do about Rose. Between the frustration with his family, the delay in his revenge, and the unrequited longing in his heart, he was beginning to wonder how he managed to think of himself so well for so long.
It was probably Rose’s fault, he thought. When he was with her, he could see plenty of beauty in the world, and that allowed him to overlook the ugliness inside of him more easily.
Thinking of Rose was still painful, he realized grimly. He shoved at his inner turmoil, trying, as he had the last several days, to forget about her.
But there was no forgetting the fire in her fighting, the comfort in her calm, and the strength in her spirit. There was no hope for him, as he tried to remove all thought of the light in her eyes, the softness of her sunshine-colored hair, and the purity of her voice in those moments when she had wept and sung to him.
There was no forgetting the taste of her lips under his.
Theo groaned. I might as well tell myself to stop breathing or for time to stop moving forward.
He knew he was not fooling himself; he knew it was still more painful not to think of her than it was to think of her and miss her.
“Come on. Move it,” Bachas snapped. “We’re getting closer to Elva. I want to see her.”
“I know,” Theo said impatiently.
“I don’t know why you’re moving so slowly, now. The sooner we’re done getting your aunt, the sooner you can see your princess again.”
Theo hastily tied his horse’s bridle to a nearby tree. “Maybe I’m just trying to get used to the ground again. You do realize that riding on a horse for nearly two weeks is uncomfortable, don’t you?”
“Can’t be any easier for the horse.”
“It’s certainly easier for the pixie riding behind the saddle.”
“Hardly.” Bachas rolled his eyes as he peeked through a pack of bushes. “Come on, let’s go. Urra’s night life is starting to come out from the fields.”
“Not yet,” Theo said. “We need to be careful.”
“Why?” Bachas asked. “You do know I can use magic, right?”
“I’m used to that,” Theo replied. “Remember? I traveled with a fairy before.”
“You didn’t like me using my seeing crystal. And you really didn’t like me using magic to get information out of those other people from the last town.”
“That’s because you were hurting them,” Theo retorted. “You didn’t need to hurt them just because they threatened us.”
“They don’t remember anything,” Bachas said, a malicious glint in his eyes. “I made sure they didn’t.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.”
“Having my wife in a life debt with a whole country between us doesn’t make me feel any better,” Bachas reminded him.
“We’ll get her when we find my aunt.” Theo studied the town further down the road.
“That doesn’t make me feel any better, either,” Bachas muttered.
Theo silently agreed. From what his grandfather had told him, his aunt, Annalora, was heavily involved with the Magdust trade. It was likely she was using Elva’s pixie magic to spin Magdust in her specially woven tapestries.
“Why are we over here on the other side of town?” Bachas asked. “That solider at the inn last night said she lived on the far end of town.”
“I don’t want her to find our horse,” Theo reminded him. “You might be able to use magic to get yourself into different places—”
“And different realms,” Bachas said with pride.
“But I do not have that skill,” Theo said tartly, irritated at his interruption. “Nor does Thunder here.”
“I don’t know why you insisted on naming the horse that,” Bachas grumbled. “It’s silly.”
Theo was getting annoyed with Bachas’ interruptions, but he had to admit, he was genuinely curious. “Why is it silly?”
“The horse told me his name is Charlie.”
“Fine. I’ll call him Charlie then. Either way, I don’t want my aunt to find him and hurt him or anything.”
“I suppose that’s fair.”
“I thought pixies were supposed to like nature and animals,” Theo grumbled, disturbed at Bachas’ apathy.
“And I thought humans were all about asserting their power over others.” Bachas gave him a sour look. “We all have to realize there are exceptions, don’t we?”
Theo sighed. “Never mind. I guess it will be dark enough to give us extra cover by the time we make it to the other side of town.”
“Great.” Bachas rolled his eyes again.
“I’d think you would like to walk through the woods,” Theo said, gesturing at all the trees around them. “Unless your leg is still bothering you some?”
“My leg is fine, along with the rest of me. I don’t see why we can’t just use magic to get there.”
“We need to be careful,” Theo said. “I don’t know what kind of magic Annalora has in place, and I don’t know if your magic would alert her to our presence at all. It’s best to be careful about things like that.”
“Elva would never turn me in.”
“I thought it was part of the life-debt that she has to protect her mistress?”
“What harm would her mistress expect from me?” Bachas asked, giving Theo as innocent of an expression as possible.
“What harm indeed?” Theo shook his head.
The two of them walked through the forest and headed toward the small town.
“There sure are a lot of Aragonian soldiers here,” Bachas grumbled, as he crawled up onto Theo’s shoulder.
“Worried?” Theo asked, grunting as Bachas’ legs dug into his back. “I’m trained as a knight.”
“Trained as a priest, too, but I’m not saying my prayers.”
“You are about to go into battle, not church. Doesn’t that make you feel somewhat better?”
“Given your skill levels? No.”
Theo frowned. “I grew up in the church, and I’ve been studying for years to be a knight.”
“So?” Bachas stuck his tongue out at him. “You’re not really either one or the other, are you?”
Anger rushed through him. Theo knew that Bachas had a point, but it was a sore one with him. “Never mind,” he said. “I don’t see why you’re so worried. I know my aunt is likely to be a problem, but you’re the one who insisted I would be able to handle her because we’re related.”
As Bachas grumbled to himself again, Theo thought about that night in Einish, when his grandfather and brother had come to talk with him. Hearing that Annalora, his aunt, was still alive and part of the Magdust trade, he was more than ready to confront her.
Especially, Theo thought, after he realized her tapestries were affecting the lives of his friends as much as his grandfather’s conscience.
“Maybe I’m worried because there’s a general over there,” Bachas said, “and he seems to be preparing them for battle.”
“What are you talking about?” Theo asked, before he saw the growing circle of soldiers near the town center. He watched as a solider on horseback called out to the crowd before him, calling for order while others called out questions.
As they came closer, Theo was able to listen to part of the general’s answer.
“We have our orders,” the general called. “We are to wait here until the witch is ready. And then we will march!”
The crowd roared various responses, as Theo realized who the “witch” was they were talking about.
Aunt Annalora.
Theo changed his direction, heading away from the crowd, as the men called out more cheers and jeers. As he walked by various shops and stands, he noticed some of the vendors would shrink back from him.
“Looks like they’re hired mercenaries,” Bachas said.
“I agree.” Theo tightened his grip on his own sword. “Stay down under my hood,” he said. “I don’t want other people paying attention to you.”
“Good idea,” Bachas said, agreeing with him in a rare moment, ducking under the hood of Theo’s cloak. “I wouldn’t want the attention of men like these. They’re ready for battle.”
“And they are suspicious of the witch,” Theo said. “I doubt it would take much for them to mistrust all magical creatures such as yourself.”
Bachas said nothing in reply, but Theo felt the pixie’s stubby fingers dig further into the folds of his cloak. As they headed out of the town center, Theo watched as some of the soldiers began picking fights with each other, some of them laughing, and others growling back.
When they began walking down less crowded streets, Bachas peered out. “You know, I’m surprised you aren’t.”
“Aren’t what?”
“Suspicious of magical creatures. Especially being with me for so long now.”
“I had a good mentor tell me once that while humans are commanded to stay away from magic, it seems only right for you to use the gifts granted to you.” Theo grimaced. “Of course, I would appreciate it if you were a bit more ethical in your usage of them.”
“Maybe one day your hesitation will rub off on me,” Bachas muttered noncommittedly.
Theo said nothing, keeping his focus in front of him. He took note of the people as they hurried to their homes, the near-empty market, and the sense of frustration running through the town.
“Something is wrong here,” Theo said quietly.
“The soldiers are no doubt making people nervous,” Bachas replied. “This is a tournament town, right? They probably only come for a few days at a time. My guess from looking around is that they’ve been here for at least a month, if not longer.”
“They are supposed to march as soon as my aunt is done with her part of some deal,” Theo said.
He had to wonder if Ambassador Rolez, the man who had given one of Annalora’s tapestries to Philip’s brother, had something to do with this.
“We could ask some of the soldiers for specific details,” Bachas suggested, as if he was reading Theo’s mind.
“I don’t want you hurting them for answers. We need to stay hidden.”
“I’ve already told you before, when I’m done with them, they don’t remember anything.”
“I do.”
“I could make you forget things, too, if you really wanted.” Theo could hear the slyness in his voice as he added, “If I haven’t already.”
“I don’t believe you would do that to me,” Theo assured him.
“Good. It makes me feel better about doing it, then, knowing there’s little chance I’ll get caught.”
Theo glanced back at him with a prudent look. “I have my reasons for doubting you’d do it, you know.”
“Really?” Bachas sounded intrigued. “May I ask why?”
“Sure you can ask. But that doesn’t mean I’ll tell you.”
Theo ignored Bachas’ grumbling reply as he caught sight of a small girl selling flowers up ahead.
Seeing her tussle of dark hair reminded him of Isra as a younger girl, and his heart softened considerably at the thought of his other friend.
“What do you want?” the girl snapped at him.
She could not have been more than ten years old, but she was obviously a seasoned vendor. “I, uh, just wanted to buy some flowers,” he replied, taken aback by her sharp tone.
The girl’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Is that all?”
“Yes.” Theo waited a long moment as she scrutinized him. He almost breathed a sigh of relief when she turned her attention back to her flowers.
“You’re a soldier,” she said, as she bundled a small bouquet together.
“Is there something wrong with that?”
“Not if you pay me,” the little girl said.
“Of course I’ll pay you,” Theo promised, already reaching for some coins. “Are there other soldiers who haven’t paid you?”
“A lot of them kick dirt in my face,” the girl replied. “Some of them steal my flowers when I’m not looking.”
Theo gave her some more coins. “Keep the change,” he said warmly.
“I don’t want your pity,” the little girl snarled.
“Well, consider it another payment,” Theo said. “I’d like some information.”
“What do you want to know?” The girl’s dark eyes narrowed once more.
“I was hoping you could tell me about the soldiers here,” Theo said.
“Aren’t you here to join them?”
“No,” he said. “I’m just passing through, really.” Which, he told himself, was more or less the truth. Once he found his aunt in tow, he would head back to Havilah, where his grandfather was waiting for their return.
When the girl said nothing, he asked, “What is your name?”
She still hesitated. Theo wondered if she was still unsure of him. He was just about to repeat his question when she finally replied. “Iris,” she said.
“Iris. That’s a pretty name.”
“My father liked flowers,” Iris told him. “My mother used to sell them.”
“Where is she?” Theo asked, looking around.
“She’s at home, caring for my new brother,” Iris said. “He’s just a baby.”
“Oh, I see.” Theo nodded. “Well, that’s a big job for a girl like you.”
“I can handle it,” Iris insisted. At the look on her face, Theo faltered as he remembered the time when Rose, at ten years old, demanded that the King allow her to train as a knight. She’d had the same look on her face—the pouting lips, the fierce eyes, and the wayward hair.
“I believe you can,” Theo told Iris quietly, struggling for a moment to clear his mind of Rose. “Surely you have the strength to do just that, especially if you’ve managed to stand up to the other soldiers here.”
“They’re here from Aragon,” Iris said. “Some of them come for the tournaments a lot. But they’re here, waiting for the witch to finish something. Then they are supposed to go and meet with their leader.”
“Who is the leader?”
“Some duke from Aragon, but he’s not here right now. He’s already moved on to the capital. Some of the troops say he’s ordered something from the witch who lives in the woods, and then the rest of them will be off, too.”
At the mention of the duke, everything fell instantly into place. Theo could picture it as Iris continued to give him the details. He could see Rose’s uncle, an imposing if unclear figure in his mind, calling for troops to fight for Queen Leea. He could see Hebert as he commissioned his aunt to make something to protect him or to hurt his brother. He could see the impending doom headed for his home.
I have to protect Rose. Despite the pain and the distance between them, nothing had dulled his instinct to protect her.
“We have to go,” Theo said, cutting Iris off in mid-sentence. “But thank you, Iris, for all you have given me. The flowers are lovely.” He dumped another handful of coins in her lap before he continued onward, heading toward the forest on the far end of town.
Iris gave him a kind smile, despite his brusque departure. “You’re welcome,” she called after him, waving after him.
Theo was gratified by her sudden cheerfulness.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Bachas said. “She’s actually making good profits, despite her earlier trouble with other soldiers.”
“You never have to be kind to someone,” Theo insisted. “Besides, what she said makes a difference. I know who we are dealing with now, and why it is a problem.”
“More of a problem than your aunt?” Bachas snorted. “Unlikely.”
“You’re probably right,” Theo agreed. “But still, if what Iris said is true—and I have no reason to doubt her—Annalora is only going to be the first problem we deal with.”
“I don’t know if she will be the first,” Bachas said, pointing toward the edge of the woods. “Look, there’s someone else ahead of us.”
Theo glanced in the direction where Bachas was looking and saw a tall figure on their far right. In the last moments of daylight, Theo was able to see that the walking shadow was not fully human.
He was a man, but there were shadows of hidden wings protruding out of his back, and as the daylight folded into the clouds, a spectral quality took hold of the figure.
Theo frowned. Who is that?
His question was answered as a young lady’s voice called out into the darkness.
“Everon!”
Theo stopped short in his tracks. He watched, transfixed with confusion and anger, as he realized the creature in front of them was none other than Everon, Magdalina’s son, and his parents’ murderer, heading into the heart of the forest ahead of them.