In the end, he did finally visit a healer. And while the woman had acted like she'd rather his arm rot off, she'd mended it quickly with a healing spell. Sedgewick brushed his thumb across the thin new skin before tugging his shirt over his head. He was back in his own tent and fresh from a few hours' sleep. Dawn was just now peeking through the tent flaps. Reaching for his overshirt next, Sedgewick adjusted the high collar at his neck and slid the strings through the loops sewn to the right side of the shirt, knotting them closed. His nicer overshirts had hooks of polished wood or metal clasps but they weren't suited for his work here. He glanced at the cot on the other side of the tent and frowned. Rivian was up already, it seemed. The boy would fall asleep with the sun if you let him, but he always rose before it.

Finally finished dressing, Sedgewick swiftly packed the few possessions he'd brought into his bag. Some books, his leather armor, a journal for jotting down new spell ideas, and a few other necessities. Staff in hand and hat on head, he exited the tent.

Blinking in the new light, Sedgewick made his way to the edge of the camp. People were already milling about, rushing between tents as they hurried to accomplish as much as possible before the camp would have to break and press forward deeper into Onryx once again.

Deeper toward Creststone.

Sedgewick scowled, twisting his mouth into a frown. He should be staying here. With his mages and his king. How was he to keep his promise to Alena and protect her sons if he was off in a different kingdom? His fingers itched to feel his magic once again and to lose himself to the thrum of battle-field adrenaline.

He curled his free hand into a fist. That was what had gotten him sent off on this fool's errand in the first place. Finally reaching the edge of the camp, Sedgewick breathed deeply. The Wyrd River stretched out before him. With its depth and the way it cut through the mountains, there couldn't have been a more perfect trade river if the fey had carved one themselves. Abreylian ships rested in the water, their dark blue sails faded by their kingdom's sun. Warmth seeped into his skin from the pink-dawning light. This far from the battlefield, only the smells of light and water, of warming earth and riverbank sand remained. If he squinted, he could almost imagine that he was back in the Abreylian capital, standing on the river docks. Home. Abreyla has become more of a home than his birth land had, and even in its defense, he...he...

I don't want to leave, Sedgewick thought, swallowing.

"Glad to see that I won't need to have the guards drag you from your tent," Eldain said as he came up beside him. He held out a creamy bundle of papers pressed closed with his royal seal.

Sedgewick snatched the bundle and broke it. "You'd question the obedience of your most loyal servant?" he asked, voice rising in feigned outrage.

Eldain raised his eyebrow and didn't deign to answer.

Unfolding the bundle, Sedgewick skimmed the contents. His orders were written in thin lines of ink, along with who he was to give information to, and a map of Creststone's location along with a few other points of interest. The thin ink blurred slightly, so he moved it closer to his face.

Eldain snorted. "You should have had a healer check your eyes as well."

"I can see perfectly fine!" Sedgewick snapped. "It's not my fault your scribe writes in such a thin, tiny print. Anyone would struggle, especially in this blasted morning light."

"Complaining about your vision again, Master Alverdyne?" Rivian asked innocently. He stepped beside Sedgewick. A similar pack as his own rested on the lad's shoulders. Mocking amusement, held in check by the presence of his king, played at the corners of Rivian's mouth.

"Shut up." Then turning to Eldain, he said, "He's not coming."

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Rivian bowed. "As Master Alverdyne's apprentice, it is my duty to accompany him."

"I have no objection," Eldain answered. "And no one who could watch him if he remains here."

Sedgewick opened his mouth, only to close it again. He could already see the lad rushing to the front without him again. Scowling at Rivian, he didn't argue further.

"Do you know what you're doing?" Eldain asked

Sedgewick gripped his pack just a little bit tighter. "Don't I always?"

Rivian snorted, and Sedgewick made a mental note to find him some unpleasant cleaning duty to perform.

"Just...be careful," Eldain finished. He beckoned and the two stepped away from Rivian. "We need this information, Sedgewick. I know you're not happy about this, but Lord Faren is right. We won't hold our position as long as that fortress remains theirs. What you did yesterday helped, but we're still outnumbered. I need you to bring me another advantage."

Sedgewick stopped. He grabbed Eldain's forearm and his friend followed suit. "I won't fail you."

"I know you won't. Just try not to get killed while you're succeeding."

Sedgewick smiled tightly. He gave his king a bow and Rivian followed suit. The two hoisted up their packs and walked down to the docks. The ship could only take them so far upriver before it would enter into Onryx's territory but it should still shorten their journey substantially. With luck, they could tuck it into one of the small inlets along the main river and it would be waiting for when Sedgewick returned, allowing a speedy exit.

"Now you need to do exactly as I say while we're gone," Sedgewick said, jabbing a finger at Rivian. "Or Creator help me, I will throw you off the ship and let you swim back."

Rivian blinked at him innocently. "But Master, I only wish to stay nearby and learn from your great wisdom."

"Orivian, so help me—"

"You're late," Rodren said as they stepped onto the ship's deck.

"And you're not supposed to be here." Sedgewick shifted his weight and gripped his pack again.

"I handle the spies, as you so kindly pointed out yesterday. Which now includes you."

Sedgewick tried not to cringe at the disdain in his voice. Not here, not in view of everyone and his apprentice. The two exchanged another terse glance and said nothing further.

"Captain Blacksun!" Rodren shouted. "Are we ready?"

Blacksun? Sedgewick scoured his memory for that name.

"Yes, my liege," a smooth voice answered. Then a dark-skinned man stepped from behind the ship's mast. He flashed a smile of white teeth and bowed low to Rodren. But his eyes met Sedgewick's in a flash of knowing. Crayden.

Sedgewick hadn't always served the royal family. When he'd first arrived in Abreyla, he had struggled to find work as a mage, in spite of his substantial talent. Crayden had given him work as a mage-for-hire by having him guard shiploads of cargo during their journey up and down the river. He'd never been sure exactly what he was delivering but the desire to not starve to death had temporarily outweighed his suspicions regarding the legality of the hold. He hadn't seen Crayden since he'd finally refused to take on any more questionable work. What was the man doing here?

Rodren instructed that he would be in his cabin if he was needed, using a tone that indicated no one had better need him, before he left without a backward glance.

Crayden said nothing after their exchanged glance. He nodded to Sedgewick before tilting his head back toward the ship's helm. A subtle request for an audience. Then he barked commands at his small crew and the ship burst to life around the mages. Sails were raised, anchors lifted, ropes tied, and before they knew it, the wind was whipping through their hair as the ship launched into the deepest part of the river. Its dark blue sails filled with wind and propelled them onward toward Onryx.

"Are you nervous, sir?" Rivian asked.

Sedgewick forced out an arrogant snort. "Don't be stupid. I'm more than capable of handling whatever we'll come across."

But foreboding crept over his skin like the morning fog and try as he might, he could not shake it off.

*****************
Author's Note: Third chapter's up, and Sedgewick is off! What will happen when he finally reaches Onryx? How will Crayden fit into all of this? Let me know in the comments!

Total Word Count: 5,730