“I still don’t see what I can add, Champion,” Clyde said, the words level but his expression giving away how out of his depth he felt; word had already passed through the settlement of his leaving, and the building had slowed to allow time to bid Clyde safe travels. It was touching to see how much his people cared, but it also added to the sense of responsibility that weighed on my shoulders. I’d invited him on this journey, and if he were to be hurt or died, his wife and daughter would look to me for an explanation.

But it’s still important that he’s there.

“You care about my people and you are highly respected by the nobility,” he said. “I trust you to speak on our behalf and that you’ll do it well.”

“We’ve already talked about this,” I said, doing my best to keep my tone gentle and steeling myself as visions of the worst outcomes ran through my mind, so vivid that they made my stomach sink. How long had I worked to escape Althor for me to be going back, and bringing Clyde with me felt a whole lot worse. “It matters because I don’t want to buy you,” I finished, the words directed at both of us.

It was important to remember that there was a plan and there were contingencies, though they wouldn’t do us much good if the worse came to worst. They were a way to mitigate risk, but they depended on rational players and I could already feel that the meeting would be emotional.

“But in buying us, you would be giving us freedom,” he said. “It would only be paper. We would know the truth.”

“That wouldn’t be enough. It means something that you’re the one doing this, Clyde. It breaks things in the littlest of ways, and it starts the ball rolling on a better future.”

Clyde’s lips pressed together, his eyes shining with uncertainty. For a long moment he looked like he was trying to craft an argument, his gaze boring into me to find a chink that could get him out of the negotiations; he finally let out a sigh of resignation and nodded.

“You’ve helped us when there was no reason,” he said, and I might have been projecting but there was slight resentment as he spoke. “The least I can do is trust you.”

“I’ll try not to disappoint you,” I said, which marked the end of our conversation. Clyde returned to his tent to gather the last of his supplies while I returned to the others.

They were nearly done on their own preparations as I arrived: supplies secured and harnessed, Matthaeus stowing his and his cousin’s artefacts on two separate horses — a delicate affair with how big and cumbersome those things were — and Corneleus himself had his hands bound as he was helped up to a horse.

The knight did his best to look imperious as he was moved, but the effect was undercut by how gaunt and dishevelled he looked, not to mention that there were times when he looked relieved that he would finally be free.

“Clyde’s almost done packing,” I said. “We’ll be leaving within the hour, at a guess.”

“Then I should take to the skies,” said Surya, opening his wings to give them a stretch. The man wore his breastplate and he held his spear with pride, the gold of the metal sometimes catching the light and making it glint; tied around his waist were pouches of various sizes, some with potions, others with money and the largest holding three letters written in my handwriting. “I will see you soon, friends.”

“Some sooner than others,” said Ji-ho, her tone with a pout to it. She settled lazily on her yellow staff, one hand holding the end of the rope that bound Corneleus.

“By Ris’ grace, this mission will go well and we will see each other soon rather than later,” said Surya. Ji-ho shrugged. “Luther. I hope that Rowan and his mages treat you well, and that we see each other in the future.”

“The Fates willing,” Luther said, his tone said. “I hope for the same, Surya, the Auburn Winged.” He bowed at the Falconer.

Surya slapped the man on the shoulder as a last goodbye, then he took off with incredible speed, first hurtling up to get height before he darted north, quickly becoming a speck no larger than a bird. The Falconer’s destination was the City of Laurent where spatial mages would be hired to deliver the letters to the Urocy of the Briarpatch Dens, Lord Bowers in Malnor castle and Baron Tiffaneus Marlin somewhere in the Duchy of Richfield.

Those would be our pressure, making sure Odysseus wouldn’t be able to easily dismiss our letter. We had guesstimated that Surya would be arriving in the City of Laurent by day’s end and that would be the time we’d be releasing our own letter to Odysseus. If we timed things right, then only a matter of hours after the prince had read his letter, there would be people putting pressure on him to meet the terms of the negotiation, particularly the trickiest one we were trying to achieve — the king’s non-involvement.

Clyde finally arrived with his gear packed, and trailing behind him over a dozen people, one of which were his wife and kid, the former with tears in her eyes while the latter tried to make himself look strong. The man himself had steeled his expression, his jaw set and his eyes hard. It seemed appropriate that there was an air of foreboding in the farewells.

Our group set off not soon after, travelling in a path that would take us through the town of the Weeping Wench. The trip was sedate and largely silent, the sense of foreboding hanging like a dark cloud, darkening a warm and bright day. We were close to Lake Gris and a lot of streams flowed towards the body of water, making the plant and animal life bountiful.

“That’s a rolley,” said Hatim, pointing in the distance towards a segmented bug as long as my arm and much wider. It walked clung to a giant boulder, spitting on it before its mandibles cut into the rock and stayed there — seemingly slurping something up. “Docile bugs with a hard carapace. They make decent armour, though it isn’t very malleable.”

“So many things I haven’t seen in this world,” I said, watching as the rolley spat out some more acid. “Rowan told me to experience this for what it was, an adventure many others wouldn’t be able to experience. I thought he was crazy.”

“You are dutiful, Champion,” said Matthaeus, “and good though that might be, I think Rowan had the right of it. There was no greater joy I felt than the times I took to be with my brothers, and when I left the castle being with friends was greater still. Do not close yourself off from those opportunities, or you, like me, might find yourself uncaring of the matters of the world.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said.

There were villages along the way, most with manor houses at their centres. When going to the Town of the Weeping Wench we usually travelled on out of the way paths, but now switched to moving through just so the simmering rumours could be verified; being a Champion was a big deal and I wanted to milk it for all that it was worth to make sure the settlement survived, which meant people had to know that the rumours were true so they could try to seek my favour.

People stared at our group but because of the diversities in oddities, it meant the attention wasn’t squarely on me. Hatim had a blighted horse and people kept their distance from it, covering their mouths and noses and sometimes saying a short prayer as it passed; we had a prisoner in our number; and two of our horses held giant artefacts which were likely thought stolen.

We passed through three villages before someone stopped us, a small chief, with his sons and knights, bearing a stand with a hammer striking metal. Small Chief Lem was a short and stout man, with freckled cheeks and brown hair, and he rode a dire goat with a very mean expression, outfitted in custom armour.

“O-ho,” he said. “We heard that the Dark Champion was in our neck of the woods. I couldn’t believe it. One thing for word to pass through the Commonality that Althor’s summoned a Champion, but for one to be so close?”

“It’s true,” I said, tapping into the same fortitude I had while in Malnor. My shoulders were loose and I smiled brightly, reminding myself of my time in the castle to boost my confidence — friendliness, I thought, remembering a conversation with Ellora, just another form of manipulation. “High Chief Ran was kind enough to give me with land holdings of my own. It seems I and mine will be your neighbours.”

“And such an honour it is to have a neighbour of your esteem,” he said. “And one bearing quite the specimen of a goat. Old but strong.”

Lem’s goat let out a snort. Rollo responded by spitting off to one side. A tense moment passed between the two goats. I frowned, had Rollo found himself a rival?

“Rollo’s taken me far,” I said, running a hand through his fur.

“So has Arandt,” said Lem, giving his goat a slap on the neck. “They are a loyal breed, our goats. Alas, with my old age, she hasn’t been on any adventures, and with not many other chiefs having their own goats, it means that I have been unable to participate in the goat games.”

“Goat games?” I said.

Lem suddenly looked stricken. “Ah, Champion,” he said. “They’re the most wondrous thing, and they increase the bond of a rider to their goat. You seem busy, but perhaps after your business is completed you might find your way back to my humble village. My son, Ulf, is an earthen mage and he would build us a course without trouble.”

“I’d be honoured at the invitation,” I said. “But as you said, there’s still a long day’s travel ahead of us and we should be off.”

Lem nodded. “It was an honour to meet you, Champion,” he said.

“I as well, Small Chief,” I said. “And may the Fates grant us another meeting.”

Small Chief nodded and then his people let us pass.

“You’re good at talking to them,” said Hatim, settling into a ride on my left and Ji-ho on my right. Matthaeus rode ahead, leading Corneleus’ horse as his cousin stared ahead; Clyde and Luther were at the back, sometimes sharing short conversations, though it felt perfunctory.

“Odysseus taught me alright,” I said. “Hated every minute of it, but I’ll be the first to admit it’s useful.”

“I think I prefer Khaya instead of Jordan,” said Ji-ho. “They look the same, wearing the same body. But if you’ve known one, you can see how the other’s smiles are false.”

“People had a problem with my resting expression back in the castle,” I said. “I had to learn to hide it.”

“How do you feel now that you’re returning?” Hatim asked.

“Fucking terrified,” I said.

“You’ll be protected,” said Ji-ho. “The Urocy hold tightly to their truth. Even if it goes against a king’s word, they will hold to their honour without a second thought. Unless…that is not what you fear?”

I hummed, my stomach stirring. “Can we not talk about it?” I said. “I kinda just want to ignore it until I don’t have to.”

“What would you like to talk about?” Ji-ho asked.

“The goat games Lem was talking about,” I said. “Do you guys know what they are?”

Hatim nodded. “I’ve watched a few and I think you would be good at them.”

“Yeah?”

He hummed in agreement. “It’s a pity that I didn’t see it,” he said, “but the stories people tell of how you fought against the Caller of the Boar say you are quite agile. Even Surya himself mentioned that you jumped from flight without a second thought.”

“No. I thought about it a lot,” I said with a snort. I tapped the Feather-Light Circlet and the temporal ring. “It’s because of these that I’m able to do the stuff that I do.”

“And it is because of the assortment I wear that I’m the fighter that I am,” said Hatim. “But that does not mean I’m not skilled.”

“I’ve seen you sparring with Matthaeus,” said Ji-ho. “You’re an amateur, but you take to it some. Though if I were the one deciding the course you should take as a fighter, it would not be Marcus who would be your teacher, but Hatim.”

“And why’s that?” I asked.

“Marcus is not a dullard by any means,” said Ji-ho, “but he is a brute while Hatim uses finesse. There is a lot more thought in how he fights, using his gathered implements, than there is in Marcus who uses the Sonorous Hammer.”

“I’ve never really seen you fight, Hatim,” I said. “I get the sense you don’t like it.”

The man looked down at his hands, clenching them tight around the leather reins. “My brother died and it was I who was to blame. I was foolhardy, going blindly forward almost yearning for battle, trusting that I could get us out of whatever mess I got us into. Except this time this was not so. I swore that day I would never pick up a weapon, as penance for killing my own kin.”

“You mean that you fought Corneleus’ guys without a weapon?” I said. “Any weapon?”

“The clothes I wear are enough,” he said. “Imbued with simpler magics, but together offering something similar to that armour of yours. It’s done me well these years.”

“You should be his teacher,” Ji-ho said. Hatim raised a brow. I did my best to keep my expression neutral, but I didn’t miss what the statement meant. “Khaya will be getting in more trouble in the future, is that not right?”

I let out a shaky breath, hope starting to run through me. “I sort of have to with what I’m planning,” I said. Rollo and I slowed, and Hatim and Ji-ho took my lead. My voice softer, I continued, “There’s people west who are travelling for Washerton and they’re being stopped by soldiers. I think, after news of the settlements reaches the disenfranchised, there’ll be people willing to travel north too. I want to be there, helping them like we help Clyde’s people against Corneleus’ forces.”

“He’ll need to be able to fight,” said Ji-ho. “I would teach him, but my hands will be full with my apprentice.”

My head snapped in her direction, but Ji-ho’s attention was ahead, offering me only a view of a slight smile at the edge of her lips. I felt as my eyes started to burn, a wave of mirth running through me. It felt obvious now in retrospect that she would be staying, there had been little things she’d said that had given hints, but it was good to hear it said in uncertain but still cryptic terms.

“It might be a good idea,” Hatim said, which felt non-committal but was enough when I’d been dreading being alone for so long.

It was early evening when we arrived in the Town of the Weeping Wench, with the town thrumming as people moved about, many of them with the hardness that came with mercenaries, hunters and adventurers. When we’d been passing through small villages, there had been wonder in people’s gazes, but now there was a mix of caution and hunger.

“Maybe it’s me being paranoid,” I whispered to Hatim, “but I’m a bit worried these people might try something.”

“It’s not paranoia,” said Hatim, his eyes keen as they took everyone in. “We’re a clear mark to any that wants quick riches. No doubt there’s already rumours about a son of the old families of Althor being taken hostage. These folk could want the reward that would be offered for the life.”

“Good thing we won’t be leaving with him, then,” I said. Hatim nodded, smoothly jumping off his horse. I mirrored how he moved, though I used the circlet to make myself lighter and my movements more streamlined; then landing on the ground was near silent.

“How do you feel about theft?” Hatim asked me as I pulled Rollo along, taking him to the stables.

“I…uh…don’t really think about it,” I said. “Why?”

Hatim shook his head.

The Weeping Wench was full of people, and I had to wonder if they were plants by Quinn since this town seemed to belong to her. Our group earned attention as we strode in, but people pretended like they didn’t care, resuming their conversations, drinking and eating, all while hands stuck close to their weapons.

Unlike before, Quinn wasn’t hiding, she’d reserved a table and as she saw us come in she brightened and waved, beckoning us towards her.

“She’s prettier than I expected,” said Hatim.

“Trying to make me jealous, Hatim?” Ji-ho said, taking his arm.

“I didn’t think you were the type to get jealous,” he returned, smiling lazily.

“Be on your wits,” said Matthaeus. “She can be tricky when she wants to be.”

“Oh, hey, guys,” said Quinn. “I’m so glad to finally meet all of you. Finally trusted me enough that you aren’t skulking in the forest in case I attack?”

“You’ve proved that you are no enemy of ours,” said Matthaeus.

“And you guys want my help, so you’ve got to give me the benefit of the doubt,” she said. “This is him, huh? The hostage?”

“This is him,” I said. “I was hoping for some favours.”

“You mentioned as much in your letter,” said Quinn. “Two favours if I’m not mistaken.”

“The first is Luther,” I said, mentally preparing myself for a secret I’d been keeping in my back pocket. “You know him. He’s a spatial mage. He travelled from Altheer to work with your father, and I’m hoping you can give him that.”

Quinn gave Luther the once over, making the man puff his chest up though he looked slightly intimidated. “What was your course, mage?” she asked.

“I was set to be a mage before there was a change in the school’s structure,” said Luther. “Then I was set to become a technician.”

“And let me guess, you didn’t want that?” she said.

“No, my lady,” he said. “My teachers told me that I had the makings to be a grand mage if I worked hard enough, and I think they were right.”

Quinn hummed. “I’m afraid to tell you this, but my father will require that you prove yourself before pulling you in on the more sensitive projects,” she said. “Spatial technicians play a very important part in things and you might have more utility there.” Luther’s shoulders dropped, and he did his best to keep a frown from forming. “But,” said Quinn, “we do have some fun toys to play with. Father’s made a lot of advancements in spatial mage and most young mages are impressed by them. No matter where you end up, you’ll learn something new.”

“Then I’m happy for the opportunity,” said Luther, bowing.

“I’ll take him,” said Quinn. “What’s the other favour?”

“Two more actually,” I said. “One I didn’t mention in the letter.”

One I didn’t mention to any of these guys.

I’d known I was going to do this from the very moment the matter of hostage negotiations had been said, but I hadn’t said it aloud to anyone. Now, as the others looked at me with a brow raised — particularly Matthaeus — I knew the reason why. It was because I didn’t want to take the chance of being convinced against my current course of action — just like Matthaeus had done with his plan to talk to his brothers.

“The first is Corneleus,” I said. “We’re going to Althor and we want him a place that can keep him as insurance.”

“He means leverage,” Matthaeus added.

“If you don’t make it back, you want us to slit his throat,” Quinn said, as if it were nothing.

My stomach dropped. That was the plan, but to hear it said made it feel real in a way we’d been walking around when we’d been making our plans. I swallowed and nodded.

“But,” said Matthaeus, “to ensure that you do anything untoward, Ji-ho will serve as Corneleus’ guard through the duration.”

“Oh, so you still don’t trust me,” Quinn said, sounding slightly upset. I couldn’t be sure if it was genuine or if it was all just an act. Even though I knew to be wary of her, I still wasn’t sure about the person she was underneath it all.

“We cannot ignore that the chaos of Corneleus’ death would serve your ends,” said Matthaeus.

“But if he died, I’d lose the Champion’s faith,” Quinn returned. “And he’s so much more important than some middling lord.” Corneleus sniffed and his eyes narrowed. “Your line might be traced to the Mandaron family, but you’re so far from the crown you aren’t worth a consideration. The only thing of acclaim your family truly has is that neat artefact,” she said with a glance at the mace.

“Speaking of which,” I said, my heart starting to beat faster. “My third favour. I’d like you to figure out how much the Vulkkan Mace would go for if it was auctioned.” I turned to Corneleus, which meant that I could also see Matthaeus’ stricken expression. “It’ll be sold after Corneleus is free. I’ll give your family first chance to buy, but they’d have to match the highest bid. If we die, though—” Clyde shifted uncomfortably “—sell to whomever and I want the proceeds to go to the settlement to help in the rebuilding.”

“The Vulkkan Mace has been with my family for generations,” Corneleus said, speaking to me for the first time since his capture. “You cannot do this.”

“It would be making an enemy of their family, Khaya,” said Matthaeus. “Think carefully before you commit to this action.”

“The settlement needs money,” I said, “and who says things were just going to stop in the first place? I have plans and they need capital. I already have enemies, I think I can handle a little more.”

“If my family loses the mace, you’ll rue the day you were summoned here,” Corneleus spat.

I shrugged, turning away from him and turning back to Quinn. “Do you think you can get it done?”

“I can,” she said, “though this means you owe me, doesn’t it? Three favours for three favours?”

This is just what you wanted, I thought, but I nodded. Everything had a price and there was a lot of stuff to do right now.

“Then I’ll take all three of them. We can go upstairs so we can leave this place discreetly,” she said.

“Marcus and Khaya mentioned there being an invasive search,” said Ji-ho, her voice as cold as steel and just as sharp. “I’ll tell you now, there is no man so important that I would allow the same to be done to me. If this travel of yours requires a search, then you’d best find other means to leave this town.”

“That’s all my sister’s doing,” Quinn said with an errant wave of the hand. Ji-ho didn’t look impressed. “And we’re not going anywhere near where Father is, so you don’t have to worry. You’ll send a message through the usual means?” she asked me.

I nodded. “We expect to meet within the week, but I’ll tell you when we’re going to Althor. If you don’t get a return message by the end of that day, then you can expect that the worst has happened.”

Quinn nodded. “Okay,” she said. “The people who are with me, let’s head upstairs.”

“Safe travels, friends,” said Ji-ho, giving us a deep bow. I returned it, though I felt like I wasn’t doing it right. Ji-ho reached into her side and pulled out a baggy. “Three minor medicines. Chewing herbs for pain, a rubbing paste for injuries and a few hardened-heart elixirs if you need them.”

“Thank you,” I said, accepting them.

“This is goodbye, then,” Luther said, awkwardly.

“The gods willing it will be soon,” said Hatim. He drew Luther in a hug, earning a sad smile from the man.

I nodded, doing my best to put on a smile. “Rowan mentioned wanting to chat with me in the future,” I said. “I’ll check up on you if that ever happens.”

Luther nodded, still not meeting our eyes. He turned to Matthaeus, looked like he wanted to say something, and then decided against it. Ever since the prince’s identity had been revealed the sense of camaraderie that had existed before had evaporated. It seemed that even now, when he was saying his goodbyes, Luther couldn’t muster up the courage to break social convention.

Instead he bowed. “It was an honour to meet you, Your Majesty,” he said.

“You too, Luther,” he said and our groups separated. They went upstairs, disappearing a minute later and we continued north towards Lake Gris and the City of Laurent.

As evening descended and our party made camp, I opened the messenger box and watched as the letter to Odysseus disappeared with a ripple and a sigh.

***

Prince Odysseus,

It is customary in dealings such as these to begin matters with pleasantries, words that serve as a balm so any future dealings are not soured by the substance of what we will communicate. But I think you know I have always had a bluntness to me — likely owed to being born a commoner and still being one in many respects.

So I will be forthright.

It might have reached your ear that I, along with some companions, helped work against a small army led by your cousin, Sir Corneleus Marlin, Bearer of the Vulkkan Mace. Our two groups fought and mine came out the victors, capturing Sir Corneleus Marlin and holding him hostage to ensure the train of people they were to accost reached their destination safely and without incident.

This letter is sent to you so either you or the Crowned Prince, Allyceus Mandaron, may broker the deal. Your brother, the Truant Prince, Matthaeus Mandaron, asked for this request against and I believe some part of it might be because he seeks to undo the damage that his and my absence had done to you and the Crowned Prince Allyceus.

I hope that whatever feelings might exist between us do not stop you from seeing this as the political opportunity that it is, but in the case that they might not, I have already moved ahead to secure other arrangements. A missive has been sent to the Briarpatch Dens as is, asking they be open to serving as a neutral party and safe grounds in the coming negotiations; and two other letters are awaiting sending to Lord Bowers and Baron Tiffaneus Marlin in the span of three days — it is quite a trip to any town with spatial mages, and I would suggest that you answer promptly if you seek the esteem that such a negotiation might bring.

Regards, Champion Khaya.