“That—It doesn’t make sense,” Griffith stamred. “Isn’t the second prince under Luca?”
“He is… was,” Drake replied, a sheen of sweat forming on his brow. “If he’s turning on his own allies…”
“Turning on?” I cut in. “That guy ca here to kill us.”
Elric entered, tossing a pair of pants. “I only t Luca once, but if a previous hit failed, he’d overcompensate. That explosion? That’s more than enough evidence.”
“To kill all of us?” I asked again. The way everyone looked at made feel wildly out of my depth, and being naked didn’t help.
“Give,” I said, snatching the pants and struggling into them.
“Can I turn now?” Thea asked, still pointedly facing the other way.
“You’ve already—” I started.
“DON’T,” she snapped, leaving no room for argunt.
Mister Ironscribe, apparently now in sync with the social cues, jumped in to help. “The explosion wasn’t for us. It was for the prince. Either the blast would’ve activated on its own, or soone else would have gotten it done.”
“Nothing lost either way,” Drake added. “If Clerain succeeded, killing us, then conveniently dies. All loose ends tied. If he fails, gets killed, then the main mission is still accomplished.”
“Must suck having a target painted on your back so often,” I said, trying to sympathize with Drake and Elric.
“Yes,” they said in tandem, then gave matching stares that bore holes into .
“What?! I wasn’t raised like you sociopaths. EX. PLAIN.” I lifted my arms for emphasis and imdiately regretted it as pain shot through them.
“I’m sure all of us were targets to so degree,” Drake sighed. “But you were the main one. I’m near certain. Honestly, I might’ve been under surveillance long before I realized it.”
“Oh… Wait,” Thea blinked. “Lucan might know the Spiritual Reservoir Formation?!”
“It’s possible,” Drake said evenly.
“Anything else?” I asked, raising a brow.
“He might know we’re on the move. Or maybe I’m just such a non-threat, that there's no reason to take out. Still, the fact no one’s co for you yet—”
“He knows I won't be a bother to him,” I mumbled.
At that mont, Marcus entered the carriage, leaving Trevor to steer I guess. “Or maybe he was just testing our strength,” Marcus said. “Seeing how we react, but before that, decided there was no need act before he knew more.”
He drew in a breath, then said, “We should ditch the carriage. It’ll be more dangerous on foot, but the woods are smarter. If a Starborn cos...”
“I was hoping to stop at a small settlent past the next town,” Elric murmured. “Maybe get so advice.”
“My wife’s here,” Marcus offered. “We’re no experts, but we’ll help however we can.” He patted Elric’s shoulder. “We’ll make sure no harm cos to that kid.”
Kid?
The sudden silence hit like a dropped sword.
“What?” Marcus looked around at the glares aid his way. “What?!”
Oh. Oh! Oh…
That whole conversation. Lyra’s family, people being taken advantage of, everyone being killed, it all clicked into place.
“Uh… congrats,” I said, forcing a smirk. “You’ve been busy, huh?”
Elric arched a brow. “And you haven’t?”
“I took Miss Star’s advice,” I said, leaning back against Thea with a shrug.
“Oh… is that why? I just thought—” Thea covered her mouth, cutting herself off.
“What?” I looked up at her. “Thea, what the heck were you thinking?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? What nothing?” Then sothing else hit . “Wait... were you waiting—?”
Her hand clamped over my mouth this ti. “How about we just get out of here. We should leave sooner rather than later, right?” she said, all sweet and innocent.
Elric shook his head, but it didn’t seem aid at her.
“Alright, EVERYBODY OFF!” Griffith barked. The cart halted instantly.
We disembarked, Thea helping down. Outside, Bristle and the other dogs were waiting. And they—those jerks! They had eaten sothing.
Each of the dogs had their own bone, gnawing away with contented satisfaction.
I guess it was nice to have so natural-born hunters on the team. I couldn’t be mad. Though next ti, hopefully they’d save so for the rest of us.
Trevor hopped down from the driver’s bench, and it felt like the first ti I’d seen him in a while.
I smiled and gave a nod. “How’s the driving?”
He returned the look with a wry grin. “Not as fast as back ho.”
“Yeah.” I chuckled softly. “Figures.”
The ladies began filing out of the carriage behind us. I turned toward Lyra. “Congrats.”
She smiled, her usual calm mixed with sothing a little brighter. “Thank you, Peter.”
“Right,” Drake said, stepping forward. “This won’t be comfortable, or safe, but we’re heading off-road. On foot. Thoughts?”
“There are still three of those bird things back where we fought,” I pointed out. “Between those and the eight pulling the carriage, we could each ride one.”
“Plus food,” Sia muttered darkly.
Blood too, Luna added.
Feeling better? I asked. You’ve been quiet.
Maybe to you, Wyrem grumbled. She hasn’t stopped asking questions.
And you can’t answer any of them! Luna shot back.
Too much knowledge is dangerous, Wyrem intoned, predictably vague.
Whatever. Sounds like you're fine now. I laughed, earning a few glances from the others. Just know, you’re not useless. We’ve got each other’s backs.
Thanks, she murmured, the flat thorns around my wrist tightening gently. Back to training. The worm won’t let rest.
“I don’t think we should take anything from the attackers,” Griffith said with a tired sigh. “It’s probably fine, but I don’t like the risk.”
“Practice is going to be harder too,” Lyra added. “Unless soone can ditate while riding one of those things.”
“Alright then. Grab your gear, anything important,” Drake said. “We head out in five.”
I gave Bristle a scratch behind the ears as people scattered. He lifted his head and nudged a bone toward .
When I reached for it, he pulled it back.
“Oh. You were just showing ? Cool, thanks…”
Velea bounded up beside , kneeling to give Bristle a pat. “I’ve been getting better at the spells!”
“Yeah?” I raised an eyebrow. “Let’s see sothing.”
She raised her arm, aiming it at , and a second later, a chilly breeze swirled around .
“Nice job,” I said, offering a thumbs-up. “You ready to move out?”
She nodded quickly. “Yeah, but I wish we had more ti to just sit and practice.”
“Sa here,” I agreed. “Hopefully soon, we’ll find sowhere safe enough to slow down and relax.”
“What’s up?” Trevor asked, falling into step beside .
“Velea, could I get a minute?” I asked.
She frowned. “There shouldn’t be so many secrets in a small group.”
But she still wandered off without protest, heading toward Lyra.
I turned to Trevor. “When’d you learn this technique?”
“During one of your naps,” he said with a faint grin. “It’s crazy tough.”
A stretch of quiet passed between us, only broken by the soft clatter of reins and gear behind us.
“Sorry,” Trevor muttered.
Even for a Phantom Whisper, it was quiet.
“Sorry?” I tried to laugh, but it ca out awkward. “For what?”
“You… aren’t the sa,” he said slowly. “Seriously, dude. You’re ripped now.”
I gave a real laugh that ti. “You’re apologizing because I started working out?”
“Co on. You know what I an.” His voice dropped a little. “It was a lot to hear. And honestly, we don’t really know what happened. But it was wrong of to pull away. I’m sorry.”
“It’s a lot to take in.”
“I bet worse to see.” He nudged with a small smile.
I nodded. “It was sothing.”
Another stretch of quiet passed.
“You’re a leader now. A teacher. A fighter. You volunteer to go looking for enemies.” He shook his head slightly. “It’s only been a few months, but you’ve changed. Grown faster than I ever could.”
“I got lucky,” I said, opening my voice. “eting Thea, the others... I wouldn’t have made it on my own.”
“Maybe.” He clapped my shoulder. “Thanks for listening.”
“Anyti.”
The air between us felt lighter, cleared out anyway. I guess ti helped, but still, the distance… it was still there. I knew he could feel it too. I don't even think it was my confession, not entirely anyway.
It's just that he wasn’t wrong.
I’m not who I was when I got here. Not even close.
I don’t flinch anymore. At killing. At the idea of it. It just doesn’t hit like it used to. Maybe that’s ssed up, but they’re not just trying to hurt . They’d kill . Thea. Elric. Sia. Lyra and her child.
In a world like this, there’s no room to hesitate.
“C’mon, man.” Elric’s hand landed on my shoulder. “Don’t think too hard, you’ll strain sothing. Leave that to the professionals.”
“The hurting or the thinking?” I asked, looking back.
“Yes.”
Walked right into that one. “So… how are you feeling about being a dad?” I asked casually as we fell in line at the back of the group.
He shrugged, avoiding the question.
Up ahead, Lyra was bickering with Vel about whether she should ride with her or walk. Vel stubbornly insisted on walking, but it was all theater. I could tell they were getting close.
“Looks like we’re on walking duty,” Elric said, jerking his chin toward the edge of the group.
I nodded, then pointed toward the massive beast Griffith was riding. “I feel bad for that poor thing.” Though, it was helping to carry the massive carriage, at a speed that was respectable.
We both chuckled, and with that, we set off into the woods.
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