50. Sunder

fifty

Sunder

It's midmorning when I notice the rumbling in my stomach. I reach into my saddlebag, grabbing a piece of jerky Mira packed especially for you. The mischievous grin on her face told me exactly how much I'd like that meat. My body aches from riding, but my mind is still preoccupied with the strange conversation with Cor'than. Bobble and Callum flank me, each riding in their own silence. Their bonds to Mira are like echoes in my mind. Like shadows in the moonlight, they're only there if you know where to look.

They are so familiar now, distant but ever-present. I could amplify my connection to them if I wanted, feel for them with my blue magic. But no, every time I open that ability, I'm so overwhelmed I can barely stay awake. The weight of the world falls on my shoulders as soon as I touch that thread of Chroma that pokes and prods emotions.

I'll never understand why the Gods bestowed that power on me. Some things are better left alone, including the emotions of those around you. Especially if those emotions belong to unstable half souls like these two.

A distinct birdcall echoes through the trees, causing Cor'than to hold his fist in the air to halt the army. That bird is only native to Valenfall and has no business being this far from its borders. Officers shuffle and send messengers to other commanders in the back. It takes me a moment to realize that bird call must have been a scout signal.

"Something ahead?" I ask, my voice barely loud enough to reach Cor'than. My mind races with possibility. Was Yurghen alerted to our presence and come to take us by surprise?

Then a shadowy figure appears ahead in the trees, head high as a king come to face down an entire army. Like he knows he's powerful enough to take them. My heart pounds against my chest, demanding action. My horse feels it too as it begins to dance in place, begging to be released from the agony of stillness.

The figure walks closer, almost as if he's out for an after-dinner stroll. Casual and in no rush, he makes his way closer.

"Are we just going to stand here?" I demand.

"It could be a trap," Cor'than snaps back. His archers lock in on the target, but hold their fire.

"Well, if it is, it's a pretty bold one. Let's meet it head on." I tap my heels into the flanks of the antsy beast, urging it to the front of the line, where I can get a better look at the man approaching us.

I let instinct guide me. I've got my sword and enough Chroma to at least give the guy pause. With a sweeping glance to Cor'than and then back to Callum and Bobble, I take off in a trot that soon breaks into a full gallop.

Callum's protest rings behind me, but his voice gets swallowed by the wind rushing past my ears.

As I draw closer, the man becomes clearer. My stomach twists as his features hit me, a common fae with his sharp ears peeking out from beneath dark locks. His eyes, like two emerald jewels, meet mine with a cool detachment that chills me to my bones.

He doesn't move or try to reach for any weapon. The confidence emanating from him is palpable even from a distance, like he's daring me. I pull my horse to a halt several feet away, only seconds before Bobble and Callum. Cor'than, I note, is staying back for now. Coward.

"Imagine finding you three here," Tairyn drawls with a familiar smirk, leaning against the nearest tree. His gaze lingers on me with such casual familiarity it sends my blood into a raging boil. "Did you miss me?"

Callum snorts, crossing his arms over his chest. "Like a hole in the head."

Bobble, ever the diplomat, offers a polite smile but remains silent. I glance at him, receiving an encouraging nod. Right. Diplomacy.

"Cut the crap, Tairyn," I bite out, dismounting with a fluid grace I've learned from countless battles. My palms itch with unreleased Chroma, ready to defend against any possible attack. "Have you come with Yurghen's demands, then?"

I step up to him with square shoulders as he still lounges against a tree like I'm no threat to him. He may have more Chroma than me, but I have an army at my back. I steel myself against glancing over my shoulder.

With a huff, he pulls himself away from the rough trunk, closing the space between us until only a hand span remains between us.

"You've misjudged me yet again, brother." He bites out the moniker like a curse.

"What's this about then, Tairyn?" Bobble says, swinging from his own saddle. Callum keeps his eyes on the trees, surely looking for traps or tricks. Good man.

Instead of answering, his eyes flick over my shoulder as Cor'than and his men finally approach the lone fae. I suppose they've deemed him not a threat by now, but that just shows what they know. This is the most dangerous fae alive right now, as far as I'm concerned. Mainly because I can't be sure whose side he's on.

"I see you swallowed your pride and went begging the supposed usurper for help, then."

"At least I'm doing something," I bite back, annoyance flaring in my chest. His smug smile doesn't falter, an expression I've come to loathe. It's as if he constantly delights in picking at the fragile peace inside me.

"Is there a point to this visit, Tairyn?" Callum asks, his voice laced with acid.

"Of course," Tairyn retorts, finally lifting his gaze to meet Callum's. "I came to give you information."

He turns his eyes to Cor'than, who now approaches us with twenty guards on foot. Cor'than eyes the four of us, as if putting together pieces of a puzzle. "Are you him, then? The Fourth Shard with questionable allegiance."

"Tairyn." He introduces himself with a deep sweeping bow that can only be mocking. "And I have news of Yurghen's army."

Cor'than, not one to let his guard down, narrows his eyes at Tairyn's announcement.

"Go on then," I prompt, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to ignore the way my heart hammers against my ribs.

Tairyn keeps his eyes level with Cor'than, licking his lips in what almost feels like a nervous gesture. His hands slip into his pockets as his voice takes on a serious tone. One I've never heard from him before. All pretense and mocking disappear as he says, "They've gone. I watched them all disappear yesterday. I've been searching for you all ever since, hoping I'd find you along the road to Valenfall."

Cor'than scrutinizes Tairyn with narrowed eyes, a furrow forming on his brow as he rubs his chin in deep contemplation. His gaze sweeps over his form, analyzing every detail before finally breaking the silence with a thoughtful nod. "I'm told you have an alliance with Yurghen. The words of a traitor hold no weight. Arrest him."

The nonchalant, almost carefree tone in which Cor'than gives his command is starkly contrasted by the fierce and unrelenting actions of his guards. Tairyn's expression remains impassive, though his lips tighten into a thin line as he allows them to bind him tightly with rope and Shield him from touching Chroma. Despite the situation, he maintains a composed and astute demeanor, as if carefully weighing his options and planning his next move. "Send scouts ahead. Let them see for themselves. They've gone."

"If that's true, they can't be faster than us. My reports say they have no calvary. We'll catch them. Follow their tracks to wherever they've gone then."

Tairyn's composed demeanor crumbles slightly as he shakes his head in frustration. His normally stern expression is imbued with a hint of irritation, his brow furrowing as he weighs his options. "There are no tracks. They didn't walk out on foot, and they've certainly reached their destination by now."

Cor'than throws a dismissive hand in the air. "There's no magic strong enough to carry an army, boy."

Tairyn's cold, piercing gaze sweeps over our entire group and beyond before landing on me. His voice is sharp and commanding, the tone of a ruthless ruler. "Where is Mira?" His demand cuts through the air like a blade, leaving no room for hesitation or excuses. The weight of his words hangs heavily in the tense silence as he waits.

Instead, it's Bobble's soothing tone that answers. "Don't worry. She's safe, back in Valenfall."

The Second's composure shatters in an instant as his face turns ghostly white and his mouth hangs open in shock. "Gods above, that's where he's gone then," he gasps, realization dawning on him like a hammer to the chest. "To get Mira." He turns to the others, his voice tremulous with fear and anger. He spits out, his eyes blazing with fury. "You fools left her alone and defenseless?"

Cor'than gives a slight nod, silently commanding his guards to take Tairyn away from his presence, but he resists, thrashing against their grasp despite being Shielded and restrained.

His body writhes with a desperate strength, his muscles straining against the coarse bindings that hold him. With each fierce tug, drops of crimson blood stain the rope and his skin, evidence of his unyielding efforts to break free. The guards, their faces contorted in anger, pummel him with brutal kicks and fists, their blows raining down on him like a storm. It's as if they are trying to subdue a wild animal, thrashing about in its last moments of freedom. A tingling unease creeps through me as I watch, a small voice inside urging me to believe his message.

"Stop," I command the guards, but they don't listen. Cor'than, however, nods and the struggle ceases as they take a step away from the Fourth. "How did they travel, Tairyn?" I demand.

Between labored breaths, he answers. "Portal. Bigger than I've ever seen. Took them all at once."

"A portal? That's nonsense. Only the Keepers have access to the portals. Take this creature out of my sight. Drag him behind a horse if you have to."

Tairyn's anguished screams pierce through the air, mingling with the coppery scent of blood that drips from his face. He struggles against the rough grip of the guards as they drag him away, leaving behind a trail of torn grass and disturbed earth. My stomach lurches as a scout bursts through the dense foliage, his chest heaving from exertion. I already know the news he's about to utter.

Tairyn is telling the truth.

Suddenly, a bone-chilling scream pierces through the bond, jolting me to a halt. My heart drops into my stomach as Mira's terror pulses through me like a shockwave. Callum and Bobble's eyes widen in fear, mirroring the pure terror etched onto their faces. Panic engulfs me, constricting my chest and making it hard to breathe.

My voice cracks when I shout at Tairyn, "Where's the next portal?"

Crimson blood erupts from his mouth and splatters onto the lush, green grass below. He nods in a direction with his head just before the gag wraps around his mouth. "Three hours, just between those trees."

I've got three hours to convince Cor'than of the right course of action. Three hours before I can make it back to Mira.

I just hope we aren't too late.