Reyn hadn't expected to make it all the way across the Espalla Dunes to the Jade Empire without experiencing trouble. She had, however, hoped the first instance of trouble wouldn't have come less than an hour after the mission started.

It began with a quiet murmur rising among the Espallans riding behind her. It soon spread, and before long, a lone hallah was sent from the back to the front, his camel kicking up sand as it raced along the three hundred riders to reach where the hallah'ha and the executor rode.

Reyn peered out from underneath the white silk scarf she wore over her face and strained her ears to hear what was said. She caught a few words, but when all those words were in Espallese, Reyn decided it was a futile effort.

The Aleesh delegation rode near to the front of the single-file caravan. Reyn's party of fifteen seemed especially few in comparison to the numbers of the Espallans when the caravan stretched out for what looked like a league and a half.

Josy urged her camel ahead to ride alongside Reyn. "Can you tell what's going on?"

Reyn shook her head and removed the scarf from over her mouth. She left the trailing end draped over her shoulder.

"It wouldn't be Melcians, would it? They'd have to get through a lot of orcs to make a go at us."

"I cannot even guess," Reyn replied. "Is Garret secure?"

"Still out like a broken gaslight. Whatever that tonic Enfri gave me was, it knocked him out like nothing else. Good thing, too, or we'd still be wrestling him onto his camel."

"Best he stays unconscious if there is trouble," Reyn said.

She glanced sidelong at Josy. The duchess wasn't wearing any of the protective garments offered to them by the Espallans. Whether she trusted in her wards to protect her from the harsh environment or she was simply being foolish remained to be seen. The desert in early morning had so far proven unexpectedly comfortable. At least, the temperature had. Reyn thought the dryness was going to be the death of her by the end.

Sending a selkie into the desert, she thought. I misjudged Enfri. I didn't realize she intended this to be my death sentence.

To make things somewhat easier to endure, Reyn had assurances from Lita that the Jade Empire was a land flush with lakes and rivers. Reyn imagined that once the desert was behind her, she would steal away from her escorts and spend an entire day under the water's surface before coming back up for air. She was certain to be aching for moisture by then.

Not even an hour into the desert, and Reyn was already longing for a puddle.

I'm going to die out here.

"Alright, I see what the comuckus is about," Josy said.

"Do enlighten me, my lady."

Josy tapped her on the shoulder then pointed into the sky behind them. Reyn looked where she indicated and saw a large shape approaching the caravan on golden wings.

"This is not likely to be good," Reyn grumbled.

"Is that a gold? I didn't think you had any after Elise stole the one you had."

Reyn shook her head. "Adar has a mate and several adult children in Ecclesia. That is Khoe the Radiant. She joined the legion after Adar was captured."

"Adar's mate?"

"His eldest daughter. I do not know why she would follow us unless there is an emergency back in Sandharbor."

As Khoe flew by the line of the caravan, Reyn noticed a few details out of place. Khoe had yet to receive a bond with a knight, but she still should have had a crew and a harness. That she currently had neither meant she left the legion in a hurry. Khoe wasn't alone, however. Reyn could just make out two, maybe three, figures riding on her back.

"You're going to hate this," Josy said through a disbelieving chuckle. She used a hand to shield her eyes from the sun peaking up over the horizon and wore a sardonic grin. "I'll give you three guesses as to who's riding on her, but I think you'll name one of them on the first try."

Someone Reyn would hate to have invade the first steps of her mission? Reyn felt her lips curl back to bare her teeth. "Spirits save me, is it Darian?"

"Why, so it is," Josy reported happily. "And who would he have with him but a broody blood runner and a pretty Altieri princess."

Reyn couldn't imagine three people less suited to traveling together. Furthermore, the idea of Pacifica and Darian anywhere near each other was all but guaranteed to give her an ulcer. "The fool will find an Espallan sword in his stomach if he thinks to land. The hallah'ha were clear. They want him nowhere near their territory."

"Don't tell me. Tell your princess. She's the one bringing him along."

Reyn swore under her breath, epithets vile enough that even Josy would get offended. She flicked Zalla's reins to urge her to move faster towards where Hagen, Lita, and the other Espallan leaders rode. It would be best to denounce Darian's actions before he landed so they'd be less likely to blame her for his being an idiot. Before she could go far, Hagen and Lita came riding towards her at a gallop with the executor close behind them.

Hagen said something in Espallese. Even without knowing the language, Reyn could hear the tone of strained politeness in his words.

"Hagen asks if the Lady Minister forgot a personal effect and is having it delivered," Lita translated.

"I do not know the reason for this," Reyn said in response. Her eyes went up to where Khoe was coming about in a wide bank for a landing. "Duchess Josenthorne tells me she sees Lord Darian among the riders."

Hagen might not have understood Althandi very well, but he recognized the name Reyn spoke. His mouth twisted into a snarl, and he gripped his orichalcum hooked sword. At least he kept it on his belt for the moment.

"Lord Darian would be wise to remain atop this dragon, Minister," Lita said with a dangerous look in her eyes.

Reyn felt herself scowling. "I do not attribute much wisdom to Darian. Your indulgence, but if you would allow me to hear the explanation for this, I will then see to it the dratted fool is taken back right away."

The executor leaned forward in her saddle to murmur something to Hagen. They and Lita conferred briefly in Espallese, then Lita addressed Reyn again.

"The executor will allow you to receive the new arrivals," she said.

Reyn inclined her head to Ji Min. She wished she could see something of the executor's face through that elaborate headdress and veil. Not only to get a better idea of what Ji Min was thinking, but Reyn had learned at Enfri's feast that the executor was much prettier than expected. "Thank you, Executor."

"With conditions," Lita continued. "Us three will accompany you. If we do not like Lord Darian's reasons for defying his expulsion from the sands, he must face the judgement of the tribes."

Reyn held back from wincing. She didn't exactly know what "judgment of the tribes" would entail, but she couldn't imagine Darian would find it pleasant. She also couldn't imagine he'd come for any reason the Espallans would think worth the headache it was giving them. If anything, this was probably no more than him being pushy because Reyn purposefully neglected to speak with him before she left.

So what if I said he could talk to me first? That was when he was in front of me and making my head all jumbled. That doesn't mean he can... talk to me...

It bothered Reyn that she knew she was sending him mixed signals. It bothered her worse that she actually felt a little guilty about it. But what Reyn thought bothered her most was that Josy rode to accompany them towards where the Radiant had just come in to land.

"Duchess," Reyn said coldly.

"What? You think I'm going to just wait over there? Not on your life, Legs."

If nothing else, Reyn supposed she might appreciate having Josy on hand if she needed someone to thump Darian unconscious. "Be prepared for trouble," she said softly. "If the Espallans make a move for Darian, we must allow it. Do not let Krayson or Pacifica interfere."

Josy's eyes widened. "Winds, are you sure?"

"I will not allow Darian to jeopardize our standing with our hosts."

"Still," Josy muttered, only halfway under her breath. "Seems harsh, even for an ex."

Reyn narrowed her eyes. Why, the little minx. Is she trying to push me towards Darian to free up Starra for her?

If Reyn had this sort of juvenile drama to look forward to on this trip, she needed to sit Josy down and let her know that if she desired Starra, nobody was stopping her. It would probably be difficult for Josy to wrap her head around at first, but polyamory usually was for those raised to strictly monogamous ideals. On the other hand, if Starra did prove open to being courted by Josy, Reyn would need to have a brief word with her regarding taste.

It took effort, but Reyn managed to push those concerns aside. "Harsh or not, it is how it must be. If it eases your mind, I will try to keep it from coming to that."

"Don't trouble yourself on my account," Josy said snidely. "Algaras don't shed tears for Teranors, you know."

Reyn could only stare at her in perplexment. Was that sarcasm? She honestly couldn't tell.

What an odd girl.

The five of them rode up on Khoe the Radiant just as Krayson hopped to the sand from her back. His red half-robe fluttered behind him as he dropped at only a fraction of the rate he should have; he was growing extremely adept at using his gravity magic. Pacifica took the more mundane route of climbing down Khoe's forelimb.

"May I assist you, my lady?" Khoe asked.

"I'm quite alright," Pacifica replied. "I have a stronger grip than you'd think. Romovs have the hands of mariners."

"She isn't exaggerating, Lady Radiant," Reyn said as she reined in Zalla. "I once saw her crack a walnut with her bare hands. It haunts me to this day, how a lady who appears so demure is but a pirate in disguise."

Pacifica dropped the rest of the way to the ground and brushed at her skirt. "Pirate, indeed. If anything, I would have a letter of marque naming me a privateer, thank you very much. Legitimacy makes all the difference."

Reyn dismounted and went to Pacifica. She enfolded her in a tight hug without delay. "I am sorry. I did not have the chance to say goodbye."

"It's alright. Things are still hectic, and I couldn't get away to see you off. I'm glad you got to meet some of the Nolaases, though."

Reyn gave a short laugh. "They were... interesting."

"Wait until you meet Lord Seifer. Waves, Reyn, but he could make a girl swoon right out of her smallclothes if he wanted to. I swear I heard Kora Mensc rip hers off through her full plate the instant he arrived."

Reyn masked her giggle by pretending to be scandalized. "My lady!"

Josy had gone to talk to Krayson— Reyn supposed they had spent enough time together to be on cordial terms— and the Espallans stood a few paces back with dark looks on their faces. Reyn's attention was then stolen by the sound of someone clearing his throat from up on Khoe's back. Reyn looked up and gave Darian the most disapproving frown she could muster.

"And you, my lord, owe the hallah'ha an explanation. I told you that you were not allowed back into the dunes, and here you are against their wishes."

Darian seemed to be purposefully using Khoe's wing as cover, but it was hard to say whether it was to shield himself from Espallan arrows or Reyn's glare. Whichever it was, it was gratifying to see he was at least somewhat aware of the problems he was causing. "You have my sincerest apologies, dove. Really. It's just..."

Hagen shouted up at him, and Darian blew out his lips before replying in Espallese.

"Why did you come?" Reyn asked Pacifica quietly while Darian and the Espallans were distracted. "Surely, Brother Joshuan could have given a sending. And why allow Darian to accompany you?" She let go of Pacifica and planted her fists on her hips. "For that matter, are you telling me you have left the empire without anyone at the reins?"

Pacifica waved away her concerns. "Ban's more than capable of handling things for a few minutes. This'll take less time than a trip to the privy."

Someday, Reyn aimed to figure out how Pacifica could manage being the ideal diplomat in public and so crass in private. It was truly a miracle she hadn't yet slipped up and made a joke about bowel movements to a priestess.

"And the rest?" Reyn prompted.

Pacifica threw a brief, disgruntled look up towards Darian. "He's a pushy lout if I ever met one, and this joyboy is worse than three Bans when Ban was at his loutiest."

"I can only guess why you did not use wizardry to force his obedience."

"Well, as to that," Pacifica sighed, "even pushy louts can make good arguments now and then. He said he has something important to tell you. The sort of thing that might mean the difference between you succeeding or not. He wouldn't tell me the particulars, but I couldn't take the risk of him being right and not do something about it."

Reyn was more pleased than she probably should've been by Pacifica's concern. "I have the feeling Lord Darian was simply using his gifts for hyperbole."

"Probably so," Pacifica allowed, "but just in case he's on the level, hear him out. Even if it's just to help me sleep easier while you're away."

"For you, I will."

And Reyn was definitely more pleased than she should've been by the way Pacifica averted her eyes and smiled in relief.

"There's more to us coming than Darian," Pacifica said. "He only saw us collecting Khoe and nagged us until we agreed to bring him. We had something important to tell you, too. Darian makes this a bit awkward, but he looks occupied for the moment."

"And I will see to it he remains so." Reyn turned to face the Espallans and cleared her throat. "My apologies, hallah'ha, and to you, Executor. I am certain Lord Darian wishes to explain his presence to you, and in the meantime, might I confer with the Lady of Diamonds?"

"Now, hold on a minute," Darian protested.

Reyn skewered him with an icy look that shut him up straight away. She then waited while Lita translated what she said for the executor. Once it was done, Ku Ji Min inclined her head to Reyn and gestured for her to proceed.

"My thanks, Executor. I will try to be brief." Reyn turned back to Pacifica and lowered her voice. "I think we have a few moments, but I would prefer to not test their patience."

Pacifica nodded and waved for Krayson to come over. He came dutifully, and Josy came along with him. "Tell her," Pacifica said.

Krayson nodded. "The matter you brought to me after the trial."

Reyn glanced upwards. Darian was back to exchanging shouts with Hagen; those two did not seem to get on well at all. She touched at the amulet around her neck and lit a privacy ward. "You learned what the Eidolon is?"

Krayson nodded. "To an extent."

Josy raised her hand. "Point of order. I've no idea what you're on about."

Reyn pursed her lips as she made a snap judgment. If anyone present deserved to know this, it was Josy. "It may concern you. I will explain in full later. Continue, Brother Joshuan."

Pacifica touched Josy on the arm. "Just brace yourself. This is going to get... involved."

"Lord Thaan provided much of what we've learned," Krayson said. "Eidolon is a word of Old Camnurian origin. Are you familiar?"

Reyn nodded. "Yes. Camnur is a fallen kingdom. After it was conquered by Althandor, it was split into three territories, Primus, Secundus, and Tarsia, which are all now client kingdoms."

"Oh, winds," Josy moaned, "this is going to get involved."

Reyn shushed her. "Please, go on, Brother Joshuan."

"An eidolon is a philosophical term, used sometimes in reference to powerful spirits. In the original definition, it referred to an ideal being."

The hairs on the back of Reyn's neck were already beginning to stand on end. "Darian did not speak of an eidolon. He said the Eidolon."

Krayson grimaced. "That's where it gets complicated. Lord Thaan showed me journals published by the magocracy around one hundred and eighty years ago, not long before the annexation of Camnur. A Camnurian wizard produced evidence that selected breeding could produce individuals of increased ether stores."

"That is well-known," Reyn said. "Elder houses often have the strongest arcanists through simple pedigree." She glanced towards Pacifica. "No offense."

Pacifica shrugged. "None taken when it's true."

"It's well-known now," Krayson said. "Two centuries ago, the magocracy was working hard to separate science from folklore and superstition. Witches still used familiars, and alchemists were trying to turn lead into gold. Conjuration was a lost school of magic. When the first Shan Alee fell, a lot of arcane knowledge was forgotten, and we've only begun to rediscover fragments of it."

"And what has this to do with the Eidolon?"

Krayson took in a deep breath. "The wizard's journals theorized that human potential of ether stores have a functional maximum, a limit that no conventional means are able to surpass. Meaning, left to their own development, a human arcanist has a hard limit to how strong they can become. The theory is inherently difficult to confirm, but in the past two centuries, there's been no credible evidence that's been able to refute it."

Pacifica crossed her arms. "Surpassable by conventional means, he said. Bloodsongs can take a mortal's ether stores beyond the theoretical maximum, as can dragon bonds."

"Princess Pacifica is likely well beyond that maximum already," Krayson said. "As would be any hierarch. Blood runners provide artificial means of surpassing human limitation. That is likely why these Comnurian journals are not more widely known. They've been all but irrelevant to modern arcane society, where the accumulation of arcane power can be facilitated by the Order." He swallowed. "What the theoretical Eidolon in the journals refers to is a mortal without that limitation."

Reyn felt cold. She looked towards Josy. While the duchess appeared to be taking what Krayson told them as seriously as it warranted, she couldn't yet have realized how it pertained to her family.

Josy saw the look Reyn was giving her. "What is it? You look like you saw a ghost."

"My lady," Reyn whispered, "how old was Princess Maya when she first manifested her osteomancy?"

"Pretty early," Josy said. "Four or five, but that's not all that strange." She gave a slow shake of her head and an incredulous grin. "Nah. You can't be suggesting... I mean, Maya?"

"Perhaps," Reyn said. "I have heard Her Highness was placed under ether seals for most of her youth."

Krayson nodded. "Starra told me as much. Most children with arcane talents are— I was, even— but Maya didn't have the seals taken off of her until much later than usual."

"Not seals," Josy said. "More like limiters, so she could learn to control her magic without burning down the palace. They took them off her soon before she came of age and joined Uncle Gain's coterie. Look, Maya's a lot stronger than your average arcanist, I'll give you that, but... this... is crazy."

Krayson had his eyes closed. Slowly, he opened them and turned towards Josy. "How certain are you the seals were removed?"

"What? Of course they were. You've seen her cast. You think someone could throw out spellcraft like Maya can if their ether was being smothered?" She looked to the others as if looking for support. "I mean... they just couldn't. Could they?"

Reyn felt as if a lead weight nestled inside her stomach. "A normal arcanist could not. The Eidolon, however, there is no telling what such a person could be capable of." She looked up towards Darian, who had reached the end of his shouting match with Hagen and was looking back at her with a guarded expression. Reyn met his stare and wondered what else he might be keeping from her. "Capable of arcane power so vast that even demons would wish to see it destroyed before it came to its full strength. Power so terrible, yet also so very tempting. After all, why destroy the Eidolon when she can instead be made to serve?"

"Leaving a difficult question to be answered," Krayson said. "Is this to be passed along to Her Highness?"

"Aren't we obligated to?" Pacifica asked. "Whether she's our liege or not, Maya has a right to know if demons are taking an interest in her."

"She must already be aware of that," Krayson replied. "Whether for being the Eidolon or the eldest princess of Althandor, she has their attention. Personally, I am hesitant to inform Maya of what we suspect. As it stands, Shan Alee's vassalage will prove dangerous. I can only imagine that danger would increase if Maya comes to believe she doesn't need Enfri to supplant her father."

Reyn nodded. "I believe you are right. Pacifica, for now, Princess Maya must know nothing of this."

After a moment of deliberating it with herself, Pacifica nodded in acceptance. She gave a coy smile. "As you say, Lady Minister."

Josy opened her mouth to argue, but Reyn stopped her with a pointed look.

"This can be discussed to your heart's content later." She glanced towards Darian. "Our window of privacy is about to close."

"Yeah, but..." Josy had a frightened look about her. "Winds, Legs. This is my cousin you're talking about. How would she even be... What could've made her into this thing?"

Krayson sighed. "That, I do not know. The journals only provided theories that it could be possible and no methods as to how it could come about."

The discussion would have to end there, because Reyn couldn't justify their group conferring under privacy wards longer than they already had. She reached for her amulet and prepared to unlock her spell.

"One other thing, Reyn," Pacifica said, stopping her. "Two other things, actually. Starra wanted me to let you know she's sent messages off to her contacts. Something about a train robbery?"

Reyn sighed heavily. "A more personal matter, but one a lot of things in the future may depend upon. Please tell her to give a sending as soon as she has an answer."

Krayson nodded. "Either Saveen or I will be at her disposal."

"And the other thing?" Reyn asked. "You said there were two."

"The name of the wizard who wrote those journals," Pacifica said. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Nalthorio."

Reyn had to think for a moment before she recognized the name. It was the same name given to her by Komali— rather, Princess Tarim— in Drok Moran. "It cannot be the same man. A wizard from two hundred years ago could not be commanding the Courtesans today."

"Not if he's human," Krayson agreed. "If I learned anything from Algol, it's that the old masters can and will assume identities if it suits their purposes. The Courtesans have been their tools in the past. It's possible one has assumed more direct control over the organization."

"That logic's a tad extreme, isn't it?" Josy asked. "For all you know, Nalthorio might be a common name. Like Gerard or Lee. There's a million Lees."

Krayson raised an eyebrow.

"Could also just be a shifter. Plenty of shifters live a long time, and it's not like we don't know of others who were Courtesans."

Reyn frowned. "I would take offense, but you have a point. Nevertheless, the old masters are for Brother Joshuan, Lady Starra, and their apprentices to contend with. Our task is in the west."

Josy seemed troubled by all this new information, but she nodded in acceptance. "Just promise me you won't let my father get his claws into Maya," she said to Krayson. "She doesn't trust him, but Father can use that to get his way just as easily. I know better than anyone, nobody manipulates like he can."

"I won't allow that to happen," Krayson promised. "It seems my allegiance has circled back to Maya somehow, so I'm obliged."

Josy pointed a finger at him. "You could have stopped at the first part, then you went ahead and made me worried with the rest of it."

"He does that," Pacifica said. "It's a little endearing, really."

Krayson snorted. "Bah."

"Starra told me to practice polymorphy on you if you 'bah-ed' me, so watch yourself if you don't want to be a sheep."

Krayson nearly turned red from the effort of not doing it again.

Reyn let the etherlight on her amulet fade. "Now, I should hear Darian out." She offered Pacifica and Krayson a smile. "But I am glad to have the chance to say goodbye. I hope it will not be long until I can come back."

There was a tremor in Pacifica's lip. She threw her arms around Reyn and hugged her close. "You be careful," she whispered. "Stay hydrated on the way there, and maybe work out a way to use teleportation with runes so you can come back that much sooner."

"I have put some thought towards it," Reyn said. "The runes are simple to determine now that we know the essences, but I cannot settle on if the circular array should be stabilized by a pentagon or remain open."

"Maybe I'll ask Ban to sit in on one of the sendings we give you. He doesn't look it, but he can craft a competent spell when he has to."

Reyn realized she was holding on to Pacifica longer than could be deemed proper. Reluctant, she stepped back, and she was thankful that Pacifica didn't seem to mind her being clingy. "Until next time, Pacifica."

"I'll be waiting, Reyn."

As she pulled away, Reyn held onto Pacifica's hand and was slow to let it go. She faced away from her and walked towards where Darian had climbed down from the Radiant's back. Khoe was having a slow and halting conversation with Lita and Ji Min, both of whom were staring in awe at the gold dragon. Hagen split his time between watching over Ji Min and glaring daggers at Darian, which Darian was doing his utmost to ignore.

"Pacifica tells me you have something important to say." Reyn came to a stop in front of him and crossed her arms.

Darian held up his palms. "I know I'm crossing some lines by following you like this."

Reyn held her tongue and didn't argue.

Discomforted, Darian shifted his weight between his feet. "You left without giving me the chance to speak with you again."

"My itinerary is rather full, you may have noticed. I cannot make time for everyone."

"No, I know," Darian said hurriedly. He grimaced and scratched at the back of his head. "Stones, but I feel out of my depth. Last I saw you, everything was the way it should be. Now, everything's flipped about."

"Me being in the position of authority is the wrong way? I understand how you would see it so."

"Stones, Reyn, but you know that's not what I meant. I'm not pining for you to be the village girl and me to be the dashing prince. If that's all you think I saw in us, say it now."

Reyn thought she would rather that were the case. Setting Darian aside would be much easier if it was.

Darian raised his eyebrows. "What's that? Not going to argue against me being dashing?"

"Oh, do shut up," Reyn said while averting her eyes. "But, I can agree you have always possessed an... abnormal level of confidence."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You really should not."

"Nevertheless, I will."

Reyn didn't like how it felt like Darian was gaining the upper hand in this exchange. "If you have something to say to me, you should do so while you can."

He took her hand and held it up between them. Reyn made a token effort to resist, but he had her caught. She looked down at their hands and remembered how she once longed to have him touch her like this. Tenderly, and with earnest admiration.

"Our talk yesterday was cut short," he said.

"By you," Reyn reminded him, though it was true she'd been looking for a way out herself by then. "You never said why."

"You confound my thoughts, my love. I couldn't think straight, and I needed to put myself in order again."

Reyn frowned. "And have you?"

His expression turned serious. His gray eyes never left her. "You asked me why I was in Imperial City. I owe you an answer. The truth is, I would never have gone there had you not told me of the Imperial Diamond."

Reyn tensed and nearly snatched her hand back. "What do you mean?"

"Before, I thought the Diamond a large stone and nothing more, a famous royal treasure the Highest King could parade about to flaunt his wealth. When you told me of its true nature, that it was created by the ancient Aleesh, it captured my imagination. If one such wonder existed, how many others could be awaiting discovery in Aleesh ruins?"

"So that is your reason," Reyn said. "You gathered an expedition to become... a tomb robber?"

He looked genuinely insulted. "No, of course not. Reyn, you know I was always fascinated by the secret history. The powers that be discourage any interest in the past that doesn't pertain to family lines, so I naturally found archaeology to be my passion. The story of where our peoples came from, how we rose up against oppressors to claim our freedom, it was always the source of my inspiration. As we once rose up against the Dragon Emperor, so too could we stand up to the Highest King."

"You can spare me the rhetoric," Reyn said. "I am no longer a Courtesan. That life is behind me."

"Is it?" Darian asked. "Your empress may talk of being part of the Five Kingdoms, but she's Aleesh. That makes her an enemy of Althandor, and here you are right beside her. You're still fighting the same fight. You just call yourself something different."

Reyn needed to take in a deep breath to stop herself from snapping at him. "You are wrong, Darian. The Courtesans fought the Highest King for different reasons, and far less noble ones."

He furrowed his brow. "Wanting to live free of a tyrant isn't noble?"

"If only that were the extent of it," Reyn whispered. "Darian, do you truly not know what the Courtesans really are? They do not seek freedom. Only chaos."

"As opposed to House Algara's brand of order? I welcome chaos."

Reyn shook her head. "Then you are a fool. Even you will admit the Queen Founder was a hero. She pulled humanity out of chaos after Shan Alee fell, because she knew what you become without order."

Darian grimaced. "Animals, you mean."

"No," Reyn said. She removed her hand from his grip. "You become demons. You prey on the helpless because you are cowardly bullies. You boast of your strength, yet you only use it to break those you see as weaker than yourselves. You take, and you hoard, and you deny what you have robbed to those in far greater need." She felt ash on her tongue with what she said next. "Algara's order prevented humanity from devouring itself."

Darian swallowed. "I understand you must have... a unique perspective on the nature of humanity, being a shifter, but..."

"And the Courtesans want this," Reyn interrupted. "That is why Crown Prince Roan was killed. To make a statement, to kill the Highest King, to kill the Eidolon you spoke of, none of it was the real reason. Do you not see, Darian? The Courtesans wanted to start a war Nadia had no hope of winning. They wanted it for the same reason they sow chaos now. They bring famine, they spread discord, and they do it for no reason but to tear humanity down. That is what the old masters demand of them."

Darian took a step back and gave her a searching look. "Old masters? Who are they?"

Even still, Reyn couldn't be certain if he was genuine. She wanted to believe so and that knowing the truth would convince him of how important it was to oppose the old masters. She couldn't be sure, and Reyn had learned hard lessons about placing trust where it could be unwise to give it. Because, if Darian was a thrall, she would only be giving the enemy a glimpse of the cards she held. "The old masters are... the reason I cannot accept you back."

He sighed. "Well, in that case, they deserve a kick in the arse."

Reyn blinked rapidly. "A kick in the... What?"

Darian nodded firmly. "A real hard one, straight in the arse. Whoever these bastards are, you got it in your head that they're a problem, right? Well, if that's the case, tell me how and I'll fight them for you while you're away." He smirked. "I mean, I need to do something while I'm the empress' hostage, or I'm liable to waste away to nothing from the boredom."

If there was a natural response to that, Reyn couldn't think of it on short notice. She could only think about how she was a fool for not anticipating something like this from Darian. A suspected thrall declaring a personal war on demons was about as unexpected as they came, and Darian always did the unexpected.

That was part of why she fell in love with him in the first place.

Dangerous, she told herself. The most dangerous man alive.

He took her hand again, and this time he pressed something into it. "I didn't find any ancient weapons in the Imperial City," he said. "No lost magics, no secret armies of walking statues. In the searching, we cast divinations so strong that it ended up catching the attention of my new best friend over there."

Reyn glanced towards Hagen. He was still leveling a glare so venomous that it was a wonder Darian hadn't yet succumbed to it.

"But I did find a few old tablets on theurallurgy," Darian said with a wink. "Gave me a few ideas of how to use my elder magic."

He removed his hand, and Reyn looked down to see that he'd given her a single uncut gemstone the size of a silver penny. It was a sapphire, dark enough to almost be purple, yet Reyn felt as if she could see tiny dancing lights in its depths.

"In case you have a need," Darian said. "Just make sure there's a basin where you use it. Wouldn't do to lose all that water in the sand."

"A geocryst?" Reyn gasped. "Darian, but the cost..."

"I don't use geomancy so often that I can't deal with it. Besides, a selkie girl needs to splash about now and then, yes? It's a big one, Reyn. Not exactly the Great Leyr, but a decent reservoir, I think. It was tricky, but I also worked in some plants. Just don't use it in the Jade Empire. One of the flowers is an invasive species, and I don't want them angrier with me than they already are."

Reyn closed her fingers around the gift. "Thank you."

Darian smiled, looking greatly pleased that she accepted it. After a moment, the smile faded, and he dropped his voice to a low register. "Reyn, I said I didn't find anything in the Imperial City, but that's not to say I wasn't close before the Espallans ruined everything. I was on the verge of a discovery."

"Of what kind?"

He opened his mouth to answer. Before he could speak, Hagen barked a harsh command. It seemed Darian had worn thin what little welcome he had.

"Looks like our time's up," Darian sighed. "I wanted you to know Reyn, you were right about the Imperial Diamond. They were made to be power sources."

Reyn nodded, then nearly dropped the geocryst out of horror. "They?"

Darian nodded. "The one the Althandi took from Shoen's corpse wasn't the only one. I couldn't find another, but I found enough evidence to be certain there were others. The Imperial Diamond was one of seven. Five were destroyed because their powers couldn't be contained. Shoen learned from those mistakes when he used the sixth, and there's one last Diamond that's certain to still be in the Imperial City somewhere. Made and never used. I couldn't say if the Aleesh ever put a bloodsong in it, but it's out there in the Espalla Dunes somewhere, waiting for the right hand to wield it." He sighed. "I hoped that hand would be mine and let me use it to reclaim my grandfather's throne. But, if it can help out you and your empress, that might be just as good."

Reyn was stunned, and not only for there being more than one of those abominations in the world. Not even for the unlucky number of them that were made. "Why would you tell me this?"

"Honestly? Shan Alee might be my train ticket to the Deep Palace. If you manage to grab this other Imperial Diamond, I expect the Dragon Empress to know who helped make it happen. That might earn me some consideration once she takes over the Five Kingdoms. I'm sure she'd rather have a Teranor ruling Nadia as her vassal than an Algara."

Reyn slapped her forehead. "Darian... there are too many things wrong with what you just said for me to settle on what to correct first."

His grin was ear-to-ear. Gods, but no man had a right to have a smile like that.

"You beast," Reyn gasped. "You are making sport of me."

"Maybe a little. Your empress wants to make friends with everyone and live in a land of sunshine and rainbows. Pink unicorns think she's too pure to be real. I get it. But she'll need weapons when Cathis brings his to bear on her, so I'll help where I can. In return, I don't want to wind up in the Palace of Towers in chains."

Reyn doubted her journey west would take her anywhere near the Imperial City, and even if it did, she didn't think she could bring herself to seek out and retrieve a monstrosity like an Imperial Diamond. No, better that such things remain lost and forgotten forever. Even with that being the case, Reyn still appreciated the gesture Darian was making. It became yet another piece of evidence that she'd been wrong about him all this time.

"It is time for you to leave, Darian," she said quietly. "Do try not to make trouble for Princess Pacifica."

"Wouldn't dream. Take care of yourself with these people, Reyn. All that politeness is just a mask for cruelty as stark as any in our homeland."

Reyn nodded and supposed it was a warning worth heeding.

He smiled again. "You won't forget me?"

"I have made the attempt before," Reyn said as she held the geocryst he'd given her to her chest. "I was unable to."

Darian leaned closer to her. "May I kiss you?"

She put a palm to his chest to hold him at bay.

He must have expected that response as he didn't seem to be disappointed. He maintained his devilish smile and kissed her hand. "Until your return, my love. I look forward to it."

There was a spring in Darian's step as he returned to Khoe. With the gold dragon's assistance, he clambered up her scales to join Krayson and Pacifica, who had already climbed aboard. All three raised hands in farewell, and Reyn returned the gesture.

"Lady Radiant," Pacifica called, "take the wind."

Reyn held her head scarf over her eyes as Khoe kicked off into the sky. The gusts from her wings blew sand all about, forcing Reyn to turn away. When she looked back, the Radiant was flying back towards the east.

"That blood runner," Josy grumbled as she came to stand next to Reyn. "He has a habit of dropping nasty news on your head."

"It only means he is honest," Reyn said.

Josy grunted. "You're going to tell me more about what all this about Maya means, won't you?"

"As well as I am able," Reyn promised. She turned to face the executor, who had approached them and had her head cocked inquisitively to the side. "I apologize once again for the interruption."

"Fault no is yours," Ji Min said. When she saw Reyn's surprised reaction to her use of Althandi, she lowered her head. "Forgive. Still learn speak to this."

The words were out of order and conjugated incorrectly, but Reyn remained deeply impressed at how soon the executor picked up enough Althandi to make herself understood. Reyn would definitely need to put forth greater effort to learn the westerners' languages if only to match Ji Min.

"Nothing to forgive," Reyn said while offering a smile. "I find that you inspire me, Executor."

Ji Min let out a nervous squeak.

Reyn immediately put forth the effort to restrain her Voice. "I suggest we continue on," Reyn said in a more careful tone.

Ji Min nodded fervently and held a covered hand to her breast as if trying to catch her breath. She gestured towards the camels before beating a hasty retreat to her own mount.

Reyn sighed, angry with herself for the lapse in concentration, as she climbed up on Zalla. She'd grown a little too used to being around others who were immune to her Voice's effects— and Ban, who seemed either unaffected or exceedingly in control of himself. She'd heard squeaks like the one Ji Min made only infrequently, and they'd all come from either Enfri or Starra when they were hit with the full brunt of Reyn's selkie abilities. Bothersome as her Voice could be, at least Reyn had sniffed out another woman who liked other women.

She'd take victories where she found them.