Denna

DENNA

K orrin scowled as he considered my words. Finally, he let out a slow exhale. "Very well. If you have a plan to pull this off without endangering my people, I'm listening."

This could work. If I could convince him, I could do anything.

"I do," I started. "But first I'll need to borrow Roji for a bit tomorrow."

Roji looked surprised, but Korrin's frown returned. "For what purpose?"

I put a hand on his arm. "Trust me, it's part of making sure this scheme works. I'll explain everything once it's set in motion, I promise."

The muscle in Korrin's jaw ticked, but finally, he gave a curt nod. "Fine. But nothing happens until you lay it all out for me to approve, understood?"

"Understood," I agreed, trying not to let my nerves show. This was a huge risk, but it seemed our only chance.

That night, I slept nestled in Korrin's arms, his solid warmth surrounding me. As his deep, even breaths ruffled my hair, I went over my plan again and again, wondering if I made the right choice.

The next morning, we broke our fast on strips of dried meat and hard tack. And soon, it was time to go. I caught Roji's eye and tilted my head, signaling him to follow me. The older warrior's expression was wary, but he fell into step beside me as we retraced our path back towards the cavern entrance.

"You seem uncertain about whatever it is I need you for," I commented as we walked.

Roji shrugged his broad shoulders. "Korrin trusts you, but that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to have doubts, little warrior. Especially when you said yourself that Korrin wouldn't approve if he knew the full plan."

I sighed. He had a point. "It's not that he wouldn't approve of the entire plan. Just this little part. And...I need you to have a little faith in me."

Roji's eyes narrowed. "I've known Korrin since he was a boy. If this plan of yours hurts him or the clan, you'll answer to me, girl." Finally, he gave a grudging nod. "All right, lass. I'm with you. But you'd best be ready to explain yourself properly once this scheme is done."

Relief rushed through me. "You have my word. Now come, there's something I need to check on before we go any further."

We followed the path that Korrin and I had taken fleeing from the lava creatures, until the last caverns where we had fought opened up before us. The underground pool glimmered faintly in the dim light, the shattered remains of the stone guardians littering the edges.

Roji frowned. "You expect to find those rock bastards still lurking about?"

"I don't know," I said distractedly, scanning the area. "I want to make sure they're really gone before we..."

"?" Roji's gruff voice broke into my thoughts. "What is it you need me for, exactly?"

I pointed at the doorway. "To go back down there with me, just for a little ways. I need to check on something."

Roji's eyes narrowed. "Are you daft? You nearly got yourself killed getting out! No wonder you said Korrin wouldn't approve of this."

"It'll be fine," I insisted, meeting Roji's skeptical gaze. "We'll just go a little way, I promise."

Roji grunted, but he followed me through the arched doorway, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The tunnel sloped downward, the air growing warmer and drier the farther we descended. I tried not to think about the lava men that had nearly killed us.

After what felt like an eternity of tense silence, broken only by our echoing footsteps, we reached a familiar cavern. Heat shimmered in the air, casting a reddish glow over the craggy walls.

Now that I wasn't being chased, I could examine the stone walls of the tunnel more closely. It wasn't just the reflection of the lava from the vent.

There was some sort of metal here.

Lead? Tin?

It didn't matter. Either would serve my purpose.

"This is far enough," I said, peering around cautiously. No sign of the lava creatures, but that didn't mean they weren't lurking nearby. "Let's head back."

Roji didn't argue, quickly turning to retrace our steps. By the time we emerged, sweat beaded on my brow despite the cavern's cooler air. Korrin and the others looked up as we approached.

"You're back," Korrin said, frowning at our disheveled state. "Where did you two go?"

"Just exploring a bit," I said evasively. "Surant, do you still have that map?"

The warrior shot me a sidelong glance but dug into his pack, retrieving a folded parchment. He handed it to me, but as I reached for it, I changed my mind. "No, knowing you guys, you'll want those tunnels for something else later. Anyone else have any parchment, and something to write with?"

After much rummaging around, Borunn produced a stub of charcoal, and sheepishly, Jaix held out a crumpled wad. "It was wrapped around the bangles I bought for my sweetheart. Must have fallen to the bottom of my pack and I didn't notice it. It's probably too crumpled to be useful to you."

I grinned. "It's perfect."

Spreading the map on a flat rock I weighed down the corners with pebbles.

Korrin moved to stand behind me as I sketched. "What are you doing?"

"Drawing," I said absently, focused on recreating the cavern layout from memory. The curve of the lava pit, the clusters of stalagmites, even the distinctive hexagonal doorway.

My hand shook as I sketched, knowing that every detail could mean the difference between life and death. Not just for us, but for the baroness and possibly the entire Wandering Nation.

"I can see that," Korrin said dryly. "But why?"

I glanced up to find him studying my work with a small smile. "Do you recognize it?"

His eyes widened as understanding dawned. "Those tunnels... You went back there?"

I shrugged, returning my attention to the map. "Just far enough to get the layout clear in my mind."

"..." His tone held a warning edge. I felt the weight of his stare boring into me. "Tell me you didn't go near those lava men again."

"We were perfectly safe," I said, keeping my voice casual as I added details. "Didn't even catch a glimpse of them."

"You shouldn't have risked it," Korrin growled. I shot him an exasperated look, but he pressed on, voice rising. "After how close we came to dying last time? What were you thinking?"

"I thought I needed to create a believable lure," I shot back, charcoal scratching furiously over the parchment. "So we can get you to that fortress and rescue your baroness, like you wanted!"

Korrin's eyes flashed. "By getting yourself killed? How does that help anything?"

I threw up my hands in frustration. "I'm doing the best I can, Korrin! Maybe you don't want my help after all?"

Korrin's fists clenched at his sides, his whole body radiating shock. "Is that what you think? That I don't want you?" The hurt in his eyes was like a physical blow.

"That's not—" He cut himself off with a growl, running a hand through his hair. When he spoke again, his tone was more measured, but tight with restrained anger. "Is this about what I said? About giving you my necklace as soon as we finished the rescue?"

I stilled, not meeting his gaze. He stepped closer, voice low and intense.

"Are you so desperate to be free of me that you'd risk your life on this reckless scheme? Just say the word, . I'll remove this burden from you right now."

My heart clenched at the anguish in his words. I shoved the map into his hands, charcoal smearing his fingers as I thrust it at him.

"Think what you want," I said roughly, turning away quickly. I stalked to the far side of the camp, sinking down beside the low-burning fire and staring sightlessly into the flickering flames.

I hugged my knees to my chest, fighting back tears. How could I make him understand? This wasn't about being free of him—it was about protecting him, even if it meant risking everything.