Chapter 9

Getting out of Bellingham and through the poison fields surrounding the House of Kimathi's vasilyet was a nightmare Soren never wanted to experience again. The only reason he and Lore made it out alive was due to starfire. It took a day to sneak out of Bellingham, the city falling after Joelle's death—but to whose forces, he still couldn't say for sure. Nor could he trust anyone in a uniform in a place that still held loyalty to a newly dead House.

Once he got them past the damaged city walls, Soren headed south, burning the expanse of the Southern Plains they traveled through as if he were the beating heart of a grass fire whenever revenants showed up. He had to be careful not to melt the tires off the motor carriage, one hand extended out the window at all times during the drive, starfire ever ready at his fingertips to attack.

He lacked his usual field gear, only having a very limited amount of bullets for the stolen pistol and enough stolen food and water to last just a few days. He had to stop in intervals to try to get Lore to take some water now that she was no longer hooked up to a drip, but she still hadn't woken. It wasn't anything he could fix, there in the back roads, so Soren merely kept driving.

A terrible headache clawed at his concentration over the next two days as he intermittently burned through hordes of revenants before the walking dead could reach them. Even without his maps, Soren remembered some of the back roads through the vasilyet and where a handful of way stations should be alongside trade roads. He drove until he found one before the needle on the fuel gauge dipped too low. The way station had been abandoned, the tanks almost empty, but enough was left for him to refuel, even if it wasn't much.

On the fourth day of their escape, with the dark sky beginning to lighten in the east, the motor carriage finally ran out of fuel however many miles south of Bellingham. Soren set the brakes and closed his eyes against the throbbing of his skull. The nausea roiling in his stomach came from overuse of magic he'd never had to wield so desperately before as much as it came from the situation they'd found themselves in.

He let the flicker of starfire at his fingertips die down and opened his eyes, squinting at the flat plains that stretched before them. He saw no shelter, didn't have his maps to figure out where exactly they were in the poison fields, and they hadn't yet reached any squadrons of the Legion he could trust. Soren must have driven past their position, knowing they'd never be able to hold a solid line against the walking dead and Daijal war machines.

The throbbing in his head resonated, getting worse, before Soren realized it wasn't the ache itself but the thrum of an approaching airship's engine. He went still, knowing how badly they stood out against the plains, with no tarp for cover or camouflage. Swearing, Soren undid the lap belt and shoved open the door, getting out.

With nothing to impede his vision, Soren could see the airship coming in from the east, still high enough in the sky that he doubted starfire would make a difference. He still dragged starfire from the aether despite the stabbing pain that erupted behind one eye.

The airship's forward gun turrets never fired as it descended. The closer it came to the ground, the easier it was for Soren to make out the hull's colors and its build, the shape of it looking nothing like an E'ridian airship. The Legion's crest was painted in gold on the thin metal that shielded the underside of the balloon, glinting in the light of the rising sun. He could make out shadowed figures gathered along the railing, several raising their arms in a greeting he was hesitant to return. A rope ladder was thrown over the side, the length of it unfurling to dangle in the air, and then another.

Soren stayed where he was as the airship skimmed over the ground, the bulk of it blocking out the sun. Its engines were loud in the early morning quiet as it brought its broadside parallel to his position, the gun turrets aiming at the horizon and not his position.

"Hail!" a legionnaire called out before they and others pitched themselves over the railing to climb down the rope ladders.

Soren wanted to believe the legionnaires were on Solaria's side and not Joelle's or Daijal's, but he'd been through too much to take anything at face value. He kept his arm extended, calling forth starfire despite the way it made his head hurt worse. The legionnaire coming his way wore the uniform of a captain, and she raised her own arms in a placating manner, pistol left holstered on her hip.

"Prince Alasandair?" the captain asked.

Soren spread his fingers wider, meeting her gaze through the molten glare of starfire. "Who's asking?"

She drew up sharply, offering him a crisp salute that didn't budge the effiyeh on her head one bit. "Captain Elise, at your service. Scouts in the poison fields working with wardens caught sight of your passage and sent word to command. We were dispatched to escort you to Oeiras."

"Not Calhames?"

"The House of Sa'Liandel resides in Oeiras."

None of the legionnaires on the ground made any move to approach him, keeping their hands loose at their sides as their captain handled him as if he were a spooked animal. Soren really couldn't blame her. "What month is it?"

"Tenth Month, in the Fortieth Week of the calendar. It'll be Eleventh Month tomorrow."

Soren wanted to close his eyes but didn't. He'd lost so many weeks as Joelle's prisoner, and he couldn't begin to know what damage Lore had taken in her forced unconsciousness as well. It was fear for her health that finally got Soren to lower his arm and snuff out the starfire, making a fist to hide how his hand shook from weariness. He licked his lips, meeting Elise's gaze. "I have Lady Lore in the motor carriage, and she is in desperate need of care."

"We have a magician on board who is a healer. We'll take care of her and you."

Soren nodded slowly, finally stepping away from the motor carriage and letting the legionnaires swarm forward. Elise gestured for him to join her, knowing better than to reach for him. Soren followed where she led, glancing over his shoulder from time to time to see how Lore was being cared for. He followed Elise to the closest rope ladder, squinting up its length at the railing high above them. Gritting his teeth, Soren reached for a rung as Elise held it still, and he climbed up to the safety of the airship.

He was met on board by more crew and a magician who had her wand out and at the ready, tapping the tip against her thigh. She wore the uniform of a legionnaire and approached him the moment his feet hit the deck.

"Prince Alasandair, if you would follow me belowdecks, I have quarters ready for you," the magician said politely.

"I go by Soren, and I'd rather you tend to Lady Lore first. She's in desperate need of a healing," Soren replied.

The magician dipped her head and gestured at his chest. "Apologies, but I must confirm you aren't a rionetka."

Soren didn't mind peeling open his shirt, his vest long since lost to him. He desperately needed clean clothes and a bath, but despite the grime, his skin carried no vivisection scars, to the lieutenant's clear relief. "I was a bargaining chip, and I couldn't be that if I was dead or a rionetka."

"Can you tell me what happened? Any injuries I should be aware of?"

It was a lot like reporting back to the magicians on the Warden's Island when he came back from the poison fields over the years, only he kept it very brief, pertinent to their escape. Soren only disclosed what was needed for Lore's health, still not trusting the crew and Legion around him to share the pertinent details that Vanya would need to hear.

The legionnaires hauled Lore over the railing some minutes later in a medical carry, secured over one man's back. The magician took that as her cue and focused her attentions on Lore rather than Soren.

Elise stayed beside him, half her attention on her aeronauts, the rest on him. An aeronaut jogged up to them and passed over a canteen to Elise, who handed it to Soren. "You should know we took Bellingham on the emperor's orders. The House of Kimathi was found dead in their estate. Was it your doing?"

Soren took the canteen and carefully sipped the water, tasting nothing out of the ordinary in it. Then again, if it was poisoned, he'd find out soon enough, but he wanted to believe he was finally safe. "No. There were Blades on the premises. I burned them in order to escape."

"Ah." Elise cleared her throat, gaze flicking up and down his body. "Let's get you settled below."

Soren nodded tiredly, watching the cluster of people handling Lore's transport toward the stairs that would lead belowdecks. He was tired, filthy, and hungry, and he knew everything he'd gone through would catch up to him at some point, but for now, he really just wanted to lie down on a bed and sleep.

So that's what he did.

The flight to Oeiras from where they'd picked him up in the poison fields took hours. Soren slept through the flight and only roused when someone knocked on the door to his temporary room and called out that they were anchoring. Soren rolled to his side and sat up on the bunk, hunching carefully so he wouldn't hit his head on the underside of the one above. He knew better than to walk around during a descent and landing, so stayed put until the hard judder of the hull meeting the anchor berth vibrated through the airship for a moment.

Part of Soren didn't believe he'd made it until he stood on the decking, staring at the intact city walls surrounding Oeiras, the breeze bringing with it the familiar scent of the jungle that grew to the west of them.

The pier was crowded below with praetoria legionnaires and officials, but Soren didn't see Vanya anywhere. He tried not to be disappointed, even if he couldn't quite stop the worry that settled in his heart.

Elise was the first down the gangplank, with Soren right behind her and the magician following after. The magician oversaw Lore's transport down on a stretcher, the legionnaires carrying her going slow so as to not jostle her. Soren made it to the pier and was a little surprised when the praetoria legionnaire lieutenant saluted him in greeting.

"Welcome home," the lieutenant said. "We've orders from the valide to take you to the Imperial estate."

Taisiya, not Vanya, which made Soren wonder where the other man was, if he was all right. Questions tumbled through Soren's mind, but he wouldn't get any answers until he got inside Oeiras.

He let the praetoria legionnaires hustle them down the pier, clearing the way toward the city gates. The lieutenant bypassed the customs and security line, everyone standing aside to let them pass. Motor carriages with the House of Sa'Liandel crest on the doors waited with their engines running on the street beyond. They were loaded inside with care before being driven away.

Soren slumped in the back seat, head tipped back, tired down to his bones, but he kept his eyes open on the drive to the Imperial estate. The lieutenant didn't speak to him, riding in the front seat with the driver. They passed through several of the inner-city walls before eventually turning down a familiar set of streets.

Soren shoved himself straighter, watching as the Imperial estate came into view behind its high walls and well-guarded gates. A sentinel-class automaton was posted at the gate as well, its Zip gun held at the ready to defend. The motor carriage didn't stop, the gate already open for them, and it went up the drive. The front entrance to the grand estate came into view, but all Soren saw were the two people standing just outside the open door, waiting for him.

Taisiya and Raiah.

He was moving before the motor carriage even braked to a halt, pitching himself out of the back seat with a lack of grace he didn't care about. Raiah's shriek of his name was the best sound he'd heard in weeks, and Soren had to force his chest to expand as he lurched forward to meet her halfway.

"Soren!" Raiah cried out.

Taisiya didn't bother trying to hold Raiah back, the little girl racing toward him with tears in her eyes and braids flying behind her. Soren swept her up into his arms and held her as tight as he dared as she sobbed and clutched at him with frantic hands.

"Raiah," Soren managed to get out, her name ragged on his tongue. "Raiah, I'm here."

"You're not allowed to go away ever again!" she sobbed. "You have to stay."

Soren watched as Taisiya stepped down from the porch with the aid of her cane and a praetoria legionnaire's assistance. Soren kissed the side of Raiah's head, hiking her up higher in his arms as he met Taisiya's gaze. "Vanya?"

"Alive," Taisiya promised. "But not here. The southern front needed him."

Soren tried to steady the heavy pounding of his heart. "Rixham?"

"Yes. He had to split the Legion between the war in Ashion and the threat of the revenant horde. Vanya's capabilities with starfire far exceed everyone else's in the other Houses. He asked for volunteers, but only some heeded the call."

"Did anyone from the House of Aetos go with him?"

Taisiya shook her head. "No. One of our spies uncovered their ties to the House of Kimathi. Because of their betrayal, the House of Aetos has been branded a traitor and is being dealt with."

All Soren felt was relief at her words—relief that Vanya wouldn't be fighting with traitors at his back. "Good."

"How do you fare?"

"Tired, but well enough. They kept Lore sedated with the threat of poison being injected into her veins to keep me compliant. If I had tried anything, they would have killed her."

"But you escaped."

"Yes, because Blades released revenants into the House of Kimathi's estate, and I had a window of time to free Lore amidst the confusion of the attack. Joelle is dead, most likely on Eimarille's orders. I wasn't certain who was attacking Bellingham at the time, which is why I went into the poison fields."

Behind them, the Legion magician was overseeing the transfer of Lore from the motor carriage to the estate. They bowed deeply to Taisiya and Raiah, who still hadn't let go of Soren, keeping her face tucked close to his neck and shoulder. She'd stopped crying, but her sniffles were loud in his ears.

"The lady is in need of deep healing," the magician said.

"Bring her inside. Our House's personal magician will see to her," Taisiya said.

The magician nodded and corralled her charge and their escort inside. Soren watched them go, aware of everything that he needed to do now that he'd made it home. "Caris needs to be told we are alive, but I don't know what's going on in Ashion with the war."

"The front in their eastern provinces has been pushed west since Daijal was forced to split their forces."

Soren dragged his gaze back to Taisiya. "Oh?"

She reached out to pat his arm before turning around. "Come. There is much to discuss. The merchant can help fill you in."

Soren frowned as he matched his pace to hers on the way inside. "Merchant?"

"The one who was a rionetka and speaks with his queen's voice."

He nearly missed a step. "Nathaniel? What is he doing here?"

"As I said, we have much to discuss."

Clearly, if Nathaniel was in Oeiras and not Ashion.

Raiah finally lifted her head, wiping at her damp cheeks with the back of her hand. "You need a bath."

Soren barked out a laugh, knowing everyone on the flight to Oeiras and the drive through the city had probably been too polite to mention that. "Yes, I really do."

Taisiya took charge once they were inside the Imperial estate, overseeing Lore being transferred in the care of the House of Sa'Liandel's personal healer. Soren had an irrational urge to keep her in sight, aware the anxiety stemmed from his own time being imprisoned and both their lives hinging on his compliance.

Taisiya brought him into the private royal wing of the Imperial estate, getting them settled in a receiving room that overlooked the private inner courtyard. Servants had set out a spread of light finger foods on the low table, as well as a pitcher of sweet red wine and another of cool water. Soren settled Raiah on the cushion beside him, wrapping his arm around her so she could lean against him.

"Eat slow," Taisiya said. "I had the cooks go light on the spices."

Soren nodded, eyeing the food on offer. He knew he'd lost weight while in Joelle's custody, but he'd eaten what they gave him because that had been his only choice. His appetite had shrunk, and he knew better than to gorge. He started with a plain flatbread and tore off a piece to swipe it through the mild mashed beans mixed with oil in a shallow bowl.

Taisiya poured drinks for them, watering down his wine as a courtesy. Soren didn't decline the drink and ate slowly, easing the hunger gnawing at him. He was tired, and he wanted desperately to speak to Vanya, but he knew he needed to hear what Taisiya had to say first.

"I've summoned the merchant," Taisiya said.

"And what of Vanya?" Soren asked.

"When we are finished here and you are seen to after Lady Lore, we can attempt to contact him. Direct communication is a little difficult when he is fighting."

"Then don't bother. He doesn't need to be distracted. Besides, I'll be going to him."

Taisiya studied Soren across the table with an unblinking gaze. "As a warden?"

Soren never looked away. "He needs my starfire."

Using starfire in defense of Solaria would cement his removal from the wardens. He could not be a warden and keep his people safe from the demands of countries sure to come after the war was over. The Poison Accords had been broken in many ways, and Soren would not break it further. Some part of him would always grieve for that road he'd walked and no longer could, but there was another one ahead of him that led to Vanya.

It would be enough.

"Very well. I'll have an airship prepared to launch tomorrow."

"Taisiya—"

"You need rest," she cut in. "Vanya will hold the line until you arrive."

Soren could only accept the valide's judgment and finished what he could of the food provided. He'd just scooted his plate away from the edge of the table when the door to the receiving room was pushed open and a servant stepped inside, bowing to them.

"Mr. Clementine is here to see you," the servant said.

Taisiya discreetly wiped her fingers on the linen napkin before setting it aside. "He may enter."

Soren watched as Nathaniel stepped inside, a pair of praetoria legionnaires at his back. An escort that was little more than guards, not that he didn't blame their caution. Soren hadn't interacted much with Nathaniel back in Cosian—the Ashion commanders had been adamant about keeping the other man in the dark—but he knew enough the merchant shouldn't be here.

The relief in Nathaniel's face was plain for anyone to see as he came out of his bow, speaking in the trade tongue. "Valide. Prince Alasandair. I'd heard you and Lady Lore had been rescued."

"Lore is being cared for by the House of Sa'Liandel's healer. Joelle kept her unconscious during our time in Bellingham. I don't know what state she'll be in after she wakes up," Soren cautioned.

"But she's alive." Nathaniel sighed deeply, shoulders loosening. "The Duchess Auclair will be happy to hear that."

"I'm sure they'll want Lore brought back to Ashion. I'll have my secretary handle the logistics of transportation via airship. We can't trust the steam trains at the moment, not with the revenant horde pushing north. Mr. Clementine and Lady Lore will return to Ashion tomorrow if she is cleared to fly," Taisiya said.

"What are you doing here in Oeiras?" Soren asked Nathaniel.

"I was sent here some weeks ago as Caris' proxy to gain an alliance with the Tovan Isles. I sailed with them as a way to keep me out of the Klovod's reach." Nathaniel shook his head, his voice becoming tired. "Even the sea wasn't far enough. Rionetkas sneaked on board despite all the precautions to keep them out. The Tovanians put me on a submersible and sent me back here. They kept course to break the blockade in the Gulf of Helia and get our soldiers to shore to lay siege to New Haven."

"What made your people change their mind on that?"

"The need to get Caris to Amari. After Daijal attacked Solaria and E'ridia, there were strategy decisions made I wasn't privy to until I was sent to Oeiras. We're attacking New Haven to force Daijal to pull back their forces on the eastern front."

War was such an ugly thing, and there would be no peace until someone claimed the starfire throne. For all that Solaria was home, Soren could not ignore the ruin ripping Ashion and Daijal apart. The only way to stop it all—in a way that would keep every country separate and intact—was to put Caris on the starfire throne and give her a crown Soren had no desire to ever wear. At some point, he would need to return to Ashion, but he wouldn't do so without seeing Vanya first.

They were interrupted yet again by another knock on the door. This time, it was Intira, the royal healer magician, who came inside, her attention landing unerringly on Soren. "Lady Lore is resting comfortably and should hopefully be roused from her stupor in an hour or so. I'll be better able to assess her then. I understand I have a second patient?"

Soren rubbed his hand up and down Raiah's back and kissed the top of her head before getting to his feet. "Yes."

"Perhaps the exam should take place in the bathhouse," Taisiya said tactfully.

"Please," Soren said, not above begging for time spent in hot water.

Taisiya waved him off. "I'll speak with Mr. Clementine while you are seen to."

Soren left everything in Taisiya's capable hands and followed the healer out of the room.