Otabek's P.O.V.

For the first descending Prince of Sketra to be alone with a lesser noble from his court at the rosy hour of dusk, there can only be scandalous explanations. But I'm uninterested in details. I wasn't expecting to find anyone along this route, but perhaps they can help me.

"Do either of you know of the Water Stone Mines in the Dwarf Margins?"

"If it's Water Stone you seek, you likely will have to look elsewhere," Victor responds. "The dwarves turn up Diamonds from that mine, but the Water Stones have run all but dry."

"Where can I find its ore then?" my stomach drops and I fear a note of despair tainted my question.

Victor falls silent in thought, treading forward. I lower my torch and hold it away from us.

"If I knew, I would tell you, Sir Altin," a small smile worms onto his face as he says it. "It is good to see you again, Otabek, unexpected even as it is. You were a fine General in the court of Sketra."

"The people of Kazakhsultanate needed me or I would—"

"I know, I know," he interrupts with the wave of his hand and then extends it.

I shake it cautiously, expecting what he does next. He thrusts me off balance through the deft yank of his arm and catches me so that he may breathe threateningly in my ear. His voice cuts like ice as he speaks. My other hand drops the torch and instinctively flies to the hilt of my sword.

The torch snuffs and the whole clearing is suddenly much darker, lit only by the lazily drifting light of the dappled moon and sprinkled stars.

"If you tell a soul about the scene you saw here tonight, and I hear of it, I will send Guang Hong Ji for your head, regardless of your responsibilities to your people. Understood?"

"Understood," I mutter and pull away to straighten myself, tossing a pointed look toward his little obeisant lesser noble.

As if cuing him to speak, he suddenly finds the courage to step forward.

"I know how you can find Water Sapphire," he offers.

Victor and I jolt in equal degrees of surprise.

"You do?" Victor almost sounds accusing, as if this were information he should have shared with Victor first.

But I am eager to listen if that be the case.

"Of course. The Fairies of Saint Lutz are known for their affinity with Water Sapphires. All you have to do is find one of the fairies-- they dwell in this forest, vast as it is."

Victor touches his chin in thought. He tosses a sidelong glance my way, as if considering my chances. He shrugs and nods slowly.

"Faefolk don't often take kindly to trespassing warrior kinsmen," Victor warns me. "But they may well be your only hope."

As much as I hate to think so, they are probably right.

"Thank you, then. I'll be on my way," I sigh, mounting my horse.

I don't exactly know where I'm going now, but I feel as if I've overstayed my welcome in this clearing. The lesser noble-- what is his name, again? I know his face-- stops me.

"You should look north," he points in the cardinal direction.

Instead, I look him over for a moment, deciding whether he is trustworthy. But then it dawns on me. He's right, of course. There is a considerable number more temples and shrines dedicated to Saint Lutz concentrated in the Northern Regency than in any other land.

"Thank you," I nod once toward each of them. "Pleasant night to both of you," I lift an eyebrow before replacing my helmet and relighting the torch.

With one final sweep of the clearing, I begin the ride north.