Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

T he journey to Messene took more than a fortnight, and most of that due to traveling unpaved roads or through woods to stay hidden. Terena missed her brother; this might be the longest she’d been apart from Croak since they were children.

She hoped Gabriol had found him and Orry.

They arrived well into the evening, and Terena was surprised to see the small city alive with the bustle of people. There was music everywhere, a cacophony of song and shouts and laughter everywhere they passed.

A far cry from the tension filled provinces they’d travelled through since their escape.

Sonah glanced around nervously, her hands gripping the reins tight as she kept her horse close to Terena’s side.

As they made their way slowly through the main square, they stopped many times when people stumbled drunkenly into their path. Rydon began yelling out at the bystanders, clearing a path as Terena and Sonah followed close behind.

After ensuring their horses were cared for at the stable yard, Rydon led them toward an inn recommended by the stable hand.

Terena didn’t worry any of the Heylisian soldiers or Imperial Guard would be lying in wait, especially in Lakonia, but she did cast a wary gaze around as they entered the inn and Rydon negotiated for their accommodations.

“You and Sonah have the room at the end of the hall on the second level. I’m going to walk around a bit. See if I can get any news.”

Terena watched him leave, then motioned to Sonah as she led the way up the stairs. She was worried the girl would keel over from exhaustion, but she followed without protest, dropping onto the bed as Terena closed the door to their room.

“Are you hungry?” Terena asked, her voice soft as she regarded the girl’s prone figure. Sonah grunted, but Terena wasn’t sure if that was assent or not. She waited all of three seconds before moving closer, pushing back a lock of Sonah’s hair from her face. She smiled when she saw Sonah was already asleep.

Terena sat at the edge of the bed, letting out a long exhale, and closed her eyes. She was tired, but not enough to sleep. Maybe some food would help.

She looked back at Sonah before rising and leaving the room, locking the door before heading back downstairs.

Thirty minutes later, she was sitting at a table at the back of the inn, a half-eaten plate of lamb and rice on the table as she finished the last of the bread and ale. She ordered another ale and stared out the window.

The door to the inn opened and Terena looked up to see Rydon’s wind-reddened face as he came in, shutting the door softly behind him. She sat up, waving to him when he caught her eye. He raised his eyebrows and came over to the table, taking the seat opposite hers with a big sigh.

“Hear anything?” Terena asked.

Rydon was about to speak when the innkeeper came over with two tankards of ale.

“Figured you’d want one too, lord,” the man said in the common tongue, his accent barely there. “Can I get you a meal? No more lamb, I’m afraid, but I’ve bread and cheeses, some figs, if you’re hungry.”

Rydon thanked the man, accepting the bread and cheese offered and waited until he’d walked back to the kitchen before answering Terena.

“You were right,” he said, flicking a glance at her with a raised eyebrow as he pointed to her lamb. She shrugged and shoved the plate toward him. He grabbed her fork and speared the meat, chewing on it as if he hadn’t eaten in days.

Terena waited patiently.

“You were right,” he said again after swallowing. “Duke Ovenno never went to Metilai. When the emperor issued a warrant for his arrest, Duke Ovenno sent an announcement out to the provinces of their secession from the empire. Three other provinces also declared independence from the empire. Heylisia’s preparing for war.”

Terena sprang forward, her hand shooting across the table to grasp Rydon’s forearm. “What provinces? And are they still looking for us?”

Rydon nodded, taking a drink of his ale. “Aye, still looking for us, unfortunately, but only near Metilai and only as far west as Ermanel. Aurora, Ravos and Tursk also declared independence and are readying their armies. Ermanel’s still holding out, but they have soldiers posted at their border, so it’s real fucking lucky we got out when we did. No word from Osta or Elis but?—”

“Elis won’t secede.”

Terena sat back as the innkeeper brought Rydon’s food.

“What of the firstborns? Is it like the abbot said? That they escaped?”

Rydon nodded once and popped a piece of cheese in his mouth. “Gone. From what I gathered, the young royals all disappeared during your execution.”

Terena’s mouth hung open, and she sat back in her seat, staring at Rydon.

“They were long gone by the time the emperor sent the warrant for Ovenno.”

Terena put a hand to her mouth. Rydon continued eating, unfazed by this world-altering news.

“Whoever killed the prince orchestrated their escape,” he said after a long pause .

Terena felt ill. She had thought Duke Ovenno was the one being set up, that it was the diversion for whoever was behind Lerek’s murder. But the diversion was the murder itself.

All so the firstborns could escape the palace before the provinces broke from the empire.

“At least we can get our business done, then head north,” Rydon said around a mouthful.

“Rydon,” Terena said, shaking her head, “you don’t have to stay with us.”

He looked up at her and opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a hand to stop him. “Listen, I appreciate everything you’ve done for us, but it’s only going to get worse. You’ve no obligation to us. Once Gabriol arrives with Croak and Orry, you should leave.”

“I’m not leaving,” he said with a quick shake of his head.

Terena narrowed her eyes. “Right. The money. You said the new king offered you?—”

Rydon laughed and shook his head, tearing a chunk of bread with his teeth. Terena looked pointedly at him while she waited for him to finish chewing.

“It’s not the money.”

Terena blinked. “Then what?”

He stared at her, taking a moment before responding. He wiped a hand over his mouth to clear the crumbs from his red beard. “You know there are things in this world we cannot explain, aye?”

She nodded.

He gestured with the hand still holding the bread. “Let’s just say… I was called.”

“You were called,” she said. He tilted his head in assent. “By whom? The northern king?”

“Aye.”

“But who is he to you? Why is this more to you than money?”

Rydon dropped his gaze to his plate before looking back up at her. “I am sorry, Terena. I cannot say more. But,” he said, lifting a finger as she opened her mouth to protest, “I promise you, you will have your answers. You will. It’s not time yet. ”

“What does that even mean?”

He shrugged and took a sip of his ale. “Do you?—”

The door to the inn opened and a young man came in, his eyes darting around the common room before he moved to the innkeeper. He looked as if he’d been traveling, his blue robes and light grey breeches coated in dust. His cheeks flushed and his ash brown hair disheveled, the man leaned over to speak quietly to the innkeeper.

Rydon looked over his shoulder at him, then back at Terena as she continued to watch while they exchanged some words before the innkeeper pointed in their direction.

Terena stiffened as the young man came toward them. She kicked Rydon under the table and he sat back, lifting his head when the stranger stopped at his side.

“Terena Luca?”

Terena’s eyebrows shot up. “Who asks?”

“My name is David. I am an acolyte at the sanctuary here in Messene. The priestess has sent me to invite you to see her.”

Rydon choked as he took a swig of ale. Terena gaped at the acolyte. She was silent so long the young man shifted uncertainly, his grey eyes moving between her and Rydon.

“How does she know I’m here?”

The acolyte smiled. He came a step closer and bent low so that he could speak quietly between the three of them. “The priestess is a seer, lady. She is the eyes of the gods and has foreseen your arrival.” He gestured to the room behind him. “She doesn’t invite you out now, of course. But I came to find you. I’ll be back in the morning, at dawn. It will be a long day for you, so please eat something or bring it with you.”

He bowed slightly at her and turned, striding for the door. He was gone before Terena could make sense of what had just happened.

“Huh,” Rydon said as he picked up a hunk of cheese and smashed it into his bread. “One less thing.”

Cloaks on and hoods up, the three of them waited outside the inn the following morning, the chill dawn air creeping around their bodies and into any seam of clothing. Terena reached out to Sonah in reassurance as the girl shivered, the edges of her cloak pulled tight around her.

Rydon had done a quick walk around the inn and the surrounding buildings, watching for anything out of the ordinary. Terena lifted an eyebrow when he’d approached and the quick shake of his head had her relaxing her stiffened muscles.

A few minutes later, a lone horseman turned out from the street on their left, the dappled grey mare walking slowly toward them carrying the young acolyte from the day before. Terena moved closer to Sonah, one hand lifting toward the dagger at her hip.

“Good morrow!” The acolyte called out as he came to a stop before them and tugged his hood down. He looked at Terena first, then glanced at Rydon and Sonah.

“Rydon will fetch the horses if you tell us which way?—”

“Lady,” the acolyte said, clearly flustered as a wash of color stained his cheeks. “I am to take only you. Your companions?—”

“They come with,” Terena said, her tone brooking no argument.

“Terena—” Rydon started.

“Rydon, we all go.”

“Lady, I cannot,” the acolyte said, now so agitated, the mare danced uneasily. “The invitation is only for you. She’s been waiting.”

“Terena, you must go,” Rydon said. “I’ll stay with Sonah. Hopefully Gabriol meets us soon but we’ll be here either way. Waiting for you.”

Terena hesitated, glancing at Sonah, who gave her a quick nod.

“Fine,” she said as she heaved a sigh. “I’ll get Nyx and meet?—”

“We must… that is, I...,” the acolyte cleared his throat. “You are to ride with me, lady. It is the way.”

“It is what way?”

The acolyte looked to Rydon for help. Finding none there, he looked back at Terena with a helplessness that almost made her pity him. “The way it’s done, lady. It is the way everyone who sees the oracle gets to the sanctuary. ”

Terena froze, her gaze flying to Rydon, whose eyes were open as wide as his mouth as he caught it too.

“The oracle?” Terena asked softly.

The acolyte, David, looked at her with confusion. “Aye, lady, the oracle.”

Fuck. Of course.

“We’re in Messene,” Rydon laughed as he shook his head.

“So?” Sonah asked, looking between the three of them.

Terena looked up at the acolyte. “This is the same oracle that advises King Altos?”

“Oh, not only King Altos,” David said excitedly, a smile breaking across his freckled face. “Many kings seek her out. Emperor Solon himself came to her—” He halted, his face coloring once more. “That was inappropriate. My apologies. But, aye, she is the oracle that has counseled many great men, if that is your question.”

Terena turned to face Rydon, considering. He did the same, their gazes locked for a few seconds before Terena turned back to the acolyte. “Thank you, David.”

Before he could respond, she grabbed hold of the saddle and mounted behind him. She set her hands at his waist and David shifted, his cheeks flushed once more.

“Take care of her, Rydon,” Terena said with a wave as they turned away.

“Bring us back good news!”