The rasp of a whetstone down the length of a full blade was the only sound. The campfire burned, the army performed the final tasks of the day, and supply transports put into shore for the night. The nearby village had lanterns in the crowded tavern and gaslights on the busy street corners. People ate, drank, laughed, boasted, and argued all around. Ban heard nothing but the whetstone.

He sat on a birch stump near the outside of camp, the full blade's tip in the dirt and the flat braced against his shoulder. Ban used steady and even strokes of the whetstone to sharpen his sword. Out of armor and out of uniform, Ban wore trousers and a cotton shirt in the warm night. It was too floundering warm in the north. Not a single decent snowdrift to be seen.

A burr of metal snagged on the whetstone. Ban grit his teeth as he ground it back down to a fine edge. His sword was a honed blade, forged by the best smiths the Salt Stone Palace had to offer, but no weapon in the Five Kingdoms could go through battle without taking some wear. Maintaining a blade allowed it to last, gave it life beyond a single use, but even a sword of legend could only take so much punishment before it could take no more. The flaws deepened with every blow, the edge grew thinner with each sharpening, until a masterwork of steel became as fragile as glass. Swords died just as surely as men did.

This full blade had served Ban well for a long time, but he could tell it was nearing the end of its service. With this weapon in hand, he'd slaughtered countless goblins in the Protectorate. He turned it against Altieri knights and inquisitors. Ban had wielded it in his victory over Knight-General Kastus Valdar, then against his brother. He'd even used it to strike Kimpo out of the sky. A long time, it had served him. Ban maintained the full blade to give it enough life for one more battle.

Its last.

Ban didn't know how he knew, but he knew it for certain. This sword wouldn't survive what he asked it to do for him next.

"We have to kill our Huntress."

The words echoed in his ears and refused to fade. He couldn't close his eyes, or he'd see visions of his blades ripping through Kimpo's wings. Her blood on his sword. Ban had never given an oracle through his elder magic, but he knew what lay in his future. His full blade would be stained with Kimpo's blood again.

Ban promised himself that he would be the one to do it. He couldn't ask that of Deebee. Not only would she be of better use protecting Enfri, but Ban couldn't expect her to kill her own mate. He wouldn't do that to her. As Kimpo's former Ruby Knight, this was Ban's burden to bear.

"How much longer do you plan to keep us here?"

He felt his lip curl at the sound of Josy's voice. She'd stepped out of the tent he told them to wait in until word came from Jin.

Ban kept his back to her and said nothing.

"It's been hours. If you won't take us to Jin, we can..."

"You can wait," Ban growled.

Josy clucked her tongue and approached the fire. "I understand why you won't let us just walk around. Winds, but I'm honestly surprised you're letting us keep our weapons."

"You and I both know swords are the least of your weapons."

Josy crouched on her heels on the other side of the fire. "True enough. So, why no seals on our ether? Why no chains?"

Ban narrowed his eyes. "You're saying you'd let me if I tried to?"

"We're not here for a fight. We're here to talk to Jin."

"Nothing more?"

Josy hesitated. "I could say, but I don't think you'd believe me."

"Try me."

"I can't say the same for Maya. Truthfully, I don't think anyone can say what's going on in her head anymore. As for me, I want to do what I can to make up for my mistakes."

Ban didn't need long to think up a few of her mistakes that needed to be remedied. "Speak plain."

Josy reached behind her back and retrieved a leather-bound book. She tossed it over the fire to Ban. He caught it and recognized what it was.

"Duke Falthis' journal. Before, you weren't convinced this was telling the truth."

Josy frowned. "A lot's changed since then."

"What did you decide?"

"My father really is a traitor, and it's worse than just what's written in there. He's serving..." Josy grimaced. "What do you know about the old masters, Lord Bannlyth?"

"You mean demons."

She nodded.

Ban exhaled and set his full blade aside. He leaned forward. "They planned the civil war in Altier Nashal. I keep hearing rumors of their lackeys stirring up trouble across the rest of the Five Kingdoms. A goddess told me that this is all leading towards a foretold doom that will soon swallow the world."

"The same on my end, more or less," Josy muttered. She looked Ban in the eye. "I don't know why, but my father is siding with the demons. I won't make the same choice. Lady Starra said that if there's any hope in beating them, it lies with the Dragon Empress."

Ban raised an eyebrow. "You want to join us?"

"Don't get me wrong. If you mean to fight Althandor, I'll have nothing to do with it."

"Enfri would rather not fight anyone."

"She said as much at our last meeting."

Ban looked down at the journal in his hand and sighed. Even if Josy hadn't run off with it, very little would have changed. If the news from the north was to be believed, Cathis had more pressing concerns than who to blame for Dashar's death. Still, the gesture was appreciated. If nothing else, this could be used to exonerate Ecclesia in the future.

He held up the journal. "I'll have this sent to Sasha. Thank you, Duchess."

Josy nodded and fell into silence. Ban returned to sharpening his full blade, occasionally looking up to regard the assassin. He still didn't trust her, not entirely, but he believed her. As to whether or not she and Maya would be allowed to stay, it wasn't his decision.

It was another fifteen minutes before another approached the fire. Ban looked up at the sound of footsteps, then rose to his feet. He couched the full blade on his shoulder and gave Jin a nod. Josy shot upright, her every movement betraying her nervousness.

"Jin," Josy said in greeting.

Nearing the fire, Jin's eyes glowed with soft, reflected light. Lady Starra was with her, and Ban noted with some surprise that they were walking arm in arm.

"Are you well, Cousin?" Jin asked. She came to a stop a half-dozen paces away. Her tone was guarded.

Josy glanced towards Ban. "Well enough."

Jin took her arm from Lady Starra's and came forward. Her eyes traced up and down Josy before taking her lightly by the shoulders. "I would have come sooner, but I was needed."

There was a slight tremor in Josy's lips. She tried to keep her emotions contained, but they quickly overpowered the walls she'd put up. Tears welled up in her eyes. "I should've listened to you."

Jin pulled her into an embrace.

Ban looked away, feeling dreadfully awkward and out of place at the moment. If there hadn't been a real chance that this reunion might take a turn for the worst, he'd have already made some excuse and withdrawn. Ban looked towards the Algaras' tent and thought he saw Maya vanish back inside. If he didn't miss his guess, the situation was about to get even more awkward, and Ban doubted Jin wanted an audience for it. He opened his mouth to say something about seeing to his duties, but Jin spoke before he had the chance.

"Ban, would you stay?"

Was I that obvious?

Ban shifted his weight between his feet. "If you're sure."

"Please. Enfri is not the only one who takes strength from your presence."

It was enough of a compliment to make Ban blush. He hadn't realized she felt that way. "Whatever you need, Jin."

Lady Starra peered at him with renewed interest. Discomforting, to say the least, and Ban couldn't shake the thought that she was imagining what his blood tasted like. He tried to remind himself that Starra had been instrumental in defeating Draxa and not hold what she was against her.

Josy pulled away from Jin. She wiped at her eyes as she spoke. "There's so much we need to tell you."

"I will listen to it all," Jin promised. "Ban and I need to know everything you can tell us about the Melcians, and I would hear anything you can tell me of what has happened back home."

Josy looked towards the tent. "Maya found the Akazewis in Leyrshore. She can tell you better than I can." Her eyes fell. "If she talks at all."

"What do you mean by that?" Jin asked.

"She..." Josy winced and gestured for the tent. "I think you should see for yourself."

Jin took in a breath and nodded. She steeled herself before taking the first step towards the tent.

Ban waited for Josy and Starra to go after her before following. He wanted nothing more than to be elsewhere, but if Jin wanted him to stay, he would. It took only a moment to fasten his baldric and sling his full blade across his back.

He was the last to enter the tent. It wasn't much of one, little more than a canvas to keep the weather out. This tent was meant to house supplies, and the Algaras were only put here because there weren't many other options for keeping them away from dragons and Enfri.

If they're sincere, I'll need to find them better accommodations, Ban thought.

Maya's back was to the entrance. She knelt over her bags and didn't turn as everyone came inside.

"Sister," Jin said quietly.

Maya stood and turned towards Jin. She'd taken off Dashar's cowl, leaving her face bare. Her eyes were lowered, as if she couldn't bring herself to look Jin in the eye.

Ban was struck by how long it had been since he'd seen Maya's face. Their last meeting before Sholis had been in Althandor during his short-lived betrothal to Jin. Though she remained as beautiful as he remembered, there was a weariness to Maya's features that hadn't been there before. She looked tired, a fatigue that went as deep as bone.

"You should've told me," Maya said. Her voice was strained, and not only from disuse.

Jin apparently didn't need clarification for what Maya spoke of. "You were away."

"Would it have made a difference if I wasn't?"

"No."

Maya frowned. "What were you thinking?" The question didn't sound accusatory so much as a sincere wish to understand.

Jin considered it before giving her response. "I was given the chance to correct the gravest mistake of my life. Mortals seldom receive such an offer. I took it without hesitation."

Maya chewed the inside of her cheek, mulling that over. "You thought she was dead, then?"

"I did."

"When you learned that wasn't the case, you ran right back to her without telling Father?"

"Wouldn't you?"

Maya's jaw clenched as if taking offense. Finally, she met Jin's eyes. "I don't know."

"What?" Jin exclaimed. The answer clearly took her off-guard. "What do you mean, you don't know? When have you ever claimed not to know?"

"Don't start with that," Maya said with a sneer.

"Why have you come, Sister?" Jin was getting flushed with anger. "Are you here to finish the job Father sent Master Deveaux and Elise of Eastrun to do?"

Maya stepped forward, eyes livid. "If he ever asked that of me, I'd have ripped him apart. The only reason Father isn't dead is because he didn't order you killed. It was Vintus."

"It's true, Jin," Josy said meekly. "My father's behind everything, including the king's paranoia. He feeds it with every opportunity. Even the Merovech's death served to prove to him that there are plots against the crown everywhere. Now he sees Courtesans and Aleesh in every shadow."

Jin took a long breath, nodded to Josy, then addressed Maya again. "That doesn't answer my question. Why are you here? If Uncle Vintus works against the crown, why aren't you in the city helping Father?"

Maya's scowl would've frightened off a demon. "Because I can't do it alone. I don't know who I can trust. The battlefield coterie is loyal to Vintus, and there's no way to tell how many others."

Jin blinked. "What of Uncle Gain? You can't believe he would betray Father."

"Until a week ago, I wouldn't believe Vintus would betray Father either, but here we are." She nodded in indication towards Starra. "If what your friend says is so, it'll take nothing short of a coup to clean our house of demon thralls."

"Waves," Ban muttered. "You don't beat around the bush."

Maya gave him an appraising look. "From what I've heard, you were perfectly willing to start a war because your father wasn't living up to his duties. Why should I do any different?"

"I tried to avoid a war," Ban said. "You're diving headfirst into one, and Althandor isn't Altier Nashal. Whether you want it or not, the entire Continent will get involved."

Jin grit her teeth. She grappled with the consequences of such an action for several moments before looking towards Ban. "You know more of this talk of demons than I do. What do you think?"

"Falthis wasn't working on his own," Ban said. "The civil war in Altier Nashal had two purposes. Destabilize the Five Kingdoms and kill Prince Dashar. Your father would want neither of those, and demons would want both."

Starra cleared her throat. "Not to rub salt in fresh wounds, but it succeeded on both counts. Althandor is in as precarious of a position as it's been since before the elder bloodlines swore fealty to House Algara. The state of the magocracy only worsens the situation. I assure you, Jin, this is all proceeding according to Vintus' plans. The Five Kingdoms are hurtling towards a full collapse."

"And what do you propose?" Jin asked of Maya. "Is a coup really what you want? Are you asking for my help in deposing Father?"

"I am."

"Then what happens?" Jin asked. "Kiir is too young to take on the burden of ruling the Continent."

"He is," Maya said. "Kiir won't rule Althandor. I will."

Jin was stunned. "You would take his birthright from him?"

Maya shook her head. "No, I'm claiming mine. I'll name Kiir as my heir, over any children of my own if necessary, but I will not let Father's insanity threaten our kingdom. He allowed demons to gain a foothold in the Highest Court. He set the assassins to chasing farmers and seamstresses when we should have been stopping threats like Elise."

"And Enfri also?" Jin snarled. Her hand clenched into a fist as if to keep it from her sword. "From the beginning, you were more interested in killing her than making certain that justice was done."

"I don't care about your sky woman," Maya snapped. "Keep her if that's your price. Help me, and I will recognize House Yora. I'll even let her keep calling herself the Dragon Empress so long as she swears fealty to me. Not even Adeyemi would dare to oppose her then."

Ban straightened his back, astonished. What Maya offered was what Enfri had been hoping for. More, even. Shan Alee wouldn't get better terms from anyone-- certainly not from Cathis. He looked to Jin, waiting for her response.

"What, exactly, are you asking me to do?" Jin asked.

"Removing Father from the throne won't be easy," Maya said. "He's more wary of moves against him than ever before, but it's Vintus who's the real threat. So long as Father's dancing to his tunes, Vintus won't just sit back and let us cut the strings of his most powerful puppet."

"Nor the assassins," Ban interjected. "I take it you don't have their support outside of Josy."

"They'll also need to be dealt with," Maya agreed. "The ones loyal to Vintus won't let me take power. The ones who aren't part of his schemes will still need convincing. Either way, they'll put up a fight. That's why I need you, Sister."

"You mean that's why you need Shan Alee," Jin said. "You don't have the forces you need to depose Father, so you need Enfri's dragons."

Ban felt a weight settle into his stomach. Maya offered terms Enfri would jump at the chance for, but the price she was asking...

"Enfri would never agree to that," Jin said, speaking Ban's thoughts for him.

"She won't get a better offer from Adeyemi," Maya argued.

"A better offer than suicide?" Jin asked. "Perhaps not, but at least Adeyemi thinks. You always act before you put any thought towards what you're doing. You don't have support, no resources, or any assurances whatsoever that anyone will ever accept you as queen of Althandor."

"I'll have all I need," Maya said. She visibly calmed herself and took a step closer to Jin. "I'll have you. You know better than anyone that Father's become too unstable to rule. He might not have sent killers after you, but he allowed it to happen under his watch. Loathe as I am to admit it, I believe Lady Starra when she says there's a doom coming. To fight it, we can't allow a madman to hold the Five Kingdoms' reins."

Jin averted her eyes.

"Sister, please." Maya took her hand. "When I thought Father ordered your death, I wanted to kill him. I would have if Josy hadn't told me the truth. Now that I know who really sent them after you-- who is truly responsible for Dashar's death-- I won't stop. Whatever else happens, I will avenge our cousin."

"I..." Jin swallowed. "It is not my decision to make."

"Then bring this to her," Maya said, letting go of Jin's hand. "Your word carries weight."

Jin looked at Ban.

"I wish I had something better to give you," he said. "I can't say we're a match for what Melcia is sending against us, to say nothing of Althandor. Even if Enfri agrees, I don't know if there's anything we can do to help."

Jin nodded, and Maya glared at Ban as if he'd betrayed her.

"However," he continued, "there's something to be said of an alliance."

Josy perked up. "What do you have in mind?"

"Do tell, my lord," Starra said.

Three royal assassins and a vampire, Ban thought, taking note of all the unnatural eyes looking his way. Waves, but if there was a time not to be the center of attention...

"You're going to think I'm off my nut for even suggesting it," Ban said.

"Well, now I have to know," Starra murmured.

"Go on, Ban," Jin said.

He took in a deep breath. Honestly, if he made it to the end of his first sentence without getting a lightning bolt through his face, he'd call it a win. "Enfri could forge a bond between Maya and a dragon."

Ban was right. He was fortunate that Maya didn't turn his head into a cinder right there. She and Jin seemed to be an agreement for the first time he knew of as they shot his idea down at the inception.

"Have you gone mad?"

"Ban, this is not the time for jests."

"I know, it's crazy," Ban said, holding up his hands for calm.

Josy peered at him with a studious look about her. "Why would you suggest that?"

"Neither of us can fight Cathis," Ban explained. "Even if we pool our resources, the assassins outmatch us, and we'll be opening ourselves for Adeyemi, Elise, or anyone else to stab us in the back. But, if Maya returns to the Spired City with a secret weapon, she could start laying a more solid groundwork for her ascension. Shan Alee doesn't have the forces to take Cathis out, but we can lend a shape-shifting expert."

Maya crossed her arms. "I'm not saying I'm considering it, but hypothetically, what do you think I'd be able to do? My father believed I died at the Sanguine Tower, but Omolade must have passed on that I was in Leyrshore by now."

Ban cocked his thumb towards Josy. "Leave her here with us. She as good as said she wants to stay anyway. Tell the king Josy was killed, so you went chasing after Elise to look for vengeance. You followed Elise to Sholis, then turned back after a fight. That should be a reasonable explanation for why you were out of contact."

Maya raised an eyebrow at Josy.

"I might have said something like that," Josy said, sheepish.

Maya gave a slow shake of her head to show her general disapproval before turning back to Ban. "And my... altercation... with Zoputan and Omolade?"

Ban shrugged. "You didn't like the way they badmouthed your sister. No offense meant, Your Highness, but I don't think you'll need to stretch the truth very far."

Jin made a wry face. "Maya does have a reputation for flying off the handle."

"Sod off, twerp," Maya growled.

Jin looked to Starra and rolled her eyes before addressing Ban. "If we truly are considering this, which of the mighty would you have in mind?"

"The Executioner," Ban said. "Zanda just lost her knight and needs a bond if she's to recover anytime soon. Rose dragons are perfectly suited for this sort of work. In fact, the Beryl Knights from the old empire served a similar function to the royal assassins. If anyone can help Maya eliminate a few demon thralls without Vintus finding out who's responsible, it's Zanda."

Maya let out a slow breath. "A dragon assassin? Winds, I wouldn't have guessed your paramour would use such a thing, Jin."

"Enfri has asked that the Beryl Knights form a charter with a different purview," Jin said.

"Whatever," Maya said dismissively. "Very well. I accept."

Jin stared at her, dumbfounded. "Did I hear you right? Maya, you're talking about being bonded to a dragon."

"So I am." Maya smirked as she looked down her nose at Jin. "You talk as if you're not bonded to one."

"I'm not!"

"Really? And why is that?"

Jin seemed at a loss for words, as if she never considered why she hadn't accepted a dragon bond of her own.

Ban stepped forward and put his hand on Jin's shoulder. He gently moved her aside so he could stand in front of Maya. "The bonds aren't to be taken on lightly, Your Highness. You'll be merging your ether with someone else's. It's an intimate connection. You'll effectively be two bodies sharing a single soul."

That, at least, seemed to give Maya pause. "I understand. I'll take whatever steps are necessary to save Althandor. I said I accept, and I will."

"It's not that simple," Ban said. "You're not the only one that needs to consent to this. Zanda will have to agree to it, and if she does, Enfri has to if she's going to forge the bond."

Maya pursed her lips. "I can respect that. Matters of consent are sacred." She turned and walked a few paces away, chin held in her fingers. Maya stopped over her bags and looked down at them. She seemed torn between saying more or bending down to retrieve something from her possessions.

Josy had held her tongue through most of the discussion, content to listen while others made plans. She went to Maya and planted herself between her and her bags. "If you do this, you have to mean it. Your dragon will be your partner, like with Saveen and Brother Joshuan."

Maya grimaced.

"I'm serious," Josy insisted. She kicked Maya's bag away with her heel. "No more handicaps. You won't be able to take the bond off when it's convenient and put it back on when you need the extra help."

"What would you know about it?" Maya demanded. "Any of it?"

Josy leaned forward, putting her face an inch from Maya's. "Better than you, and you know it. Winds take me for ever giving that thing to you. We'd all be better off if I just tossed it into a fire."

Ban didn't need his elder magic to realize they weren't talking about dragon bonds anymore. He and Jin exchanged a look, neither knowing what to make of this.

Starra cleared her throat to break the tension that blanketed the tent. "Much to consider, for all involved." She stood between Maya and Jin and looked from one sister to the other. "I'm sure that Princess Maya wishes to think on Lord Ban's suggestion thoroughly before proceeding. And you, Jin, perhaps you want to hear what Maya has to say about Melcian troop movements."

Jin closed her eyes and nodded. "I would appreciate anything you could tell us, Sister."

Maya sighed. "Take me to a map. I'll show you."

"We'll go to my tent," Ban said. He held the tent flap open for everyone to file outside. Jin was the last out, and Ban caught her arm as she passed. "Are you alright? It's not often I see you lose your temper."

Jin didn't look at him and kept her eyes ahead. "Believe me, Ban, when I lose my temper, there will be no mistaking it." She exhaled heavily. "Forgive me. I... It is not my intent to..."

Ban stopped her from giving an apology he didn't need. "Family, eh?"

She snorted. "Winds take them."

"Come on. They'll wander into the river if we don't show them where to go."

Jin nodded. Before she set out, she paused, placed a light kiss on Ban's cheek, then slugged him on the shoulder. "Tell me something. Why did you suggest a dragon bond for Maya?"

Ban rubbed his shoulder as he followed her outside. "I wanted to keep her from storming off before we could get a promise out of her about Enfri. I didn't think she'd actually go for it."

Jin gave him an inscrutable look. "From anyone else, I doubt she would have."

"Why's that?"

She walked on and seemed to be putting what was on her mind into order. "There is a story I know about a princess. She was young, not yet nine years old, and the elder magic in her blood caused her terrible pain. It struck her every day, each worse than the last. Then came a day when she was alone in her garden within her tower. Her latest attack had just passed, and her mother was not there to comfort her. She wept and wished for the hurting to stop."

"Is this a long story?" Ban asked.

"Hush, you," Jin scolded. "This is important. By chance, her father was receiving visitors that day. A powerful house from a distant kingdom. A son of this family broke away and went exploring. He came across the princess' garden and found her weeping. This boy did not say a word. He sat down beside her on the grass and offered her a toffee he kept hidden away in his pocket. No words passed between them, but the princess accepted his gift and thought it the most wondrous thing she'd ever tasted. For a time, she was able to forget her pain."

Ban didn't know what to say. He had some distant recollection of this, but remembering the details was difficult; it was so long ago.

"If you ever have doubt as to why I hold you dear, Ban," Jin said quietly, "please remember that I saw what you did for my sister that day. Maya is too proud to ever admit it, but she also remembers."

From up ahead, Maya's voice reached a shrill note of indignation. "What are you two scheming about back there? It isn't as if any of us knows the way around your blustering camp, so get the lead out of your feet."

"Or perhaps not," Jin said in a flat tone. "In any case, be wary of her roving eye. I'd rather not have to pull Moon's knives from Maya's backside."

"If anyone's arse could use a good stabbing," Ban grumbled. "I'll stay on my toes. While we're on the subject of uncomfortable guests, what's going on with the blood runner?"

Jin looked in the direction of Enfri's field lab. "For that, I will trust Enfri's decision. Whatever it will be."