Kalian walked alongside Jasmine, one hand braced on the mare's neck to hold him steady. Samson was riding ahead to scout the trail they were following. A few more hours would see them safely out of the foothills of the mountains. From there, they would continue to Noctis and hope they'd arrive in time to help the Faeries.

Their progress had been slightly slowed when Kalian decided he wanted to walk, rather than ride. Samson had argued against the idea, but Kalian pointed out that he needed to be used to balancing without his wings when they arrived on the battlefield. There wouldn't be room for small errors, like him stumbling over his own feet. In the end, everyone agreed and Kalian had been walking for the past day.

Moira still sat astride Jasmine, her head lolling against her chest. An occasional snore escaped her lips, coaxing a smile onto Kalian's own. He shifted his attention to his other side as Bellamy rode up and dismounted. He fell in step with Kalian, leading his horse by the reins.

"How are you feeling?" Bellamy asked.

"Better than yesterday," Kalian replied. "Still sore though."

"Samson's magic can only help so much it seems."

Kalian nodded. "Some Faeries and Scindoes have powerful healing magic, but others only possess a scrap of it. Witches have all the power in that regard."

Bellamy's mouth curved into a grin. "When I was little, I used to believe that Witches were ugly wicked women who would steal me out of my bed and eat me."

"What do you believe now?"

Bellamy shrugged. "I'm not sure, but it isn't that."

"There are wicked Witches in the world, but most of them are healers and oracles who try to help those in need."

"That's what the Witch who healed you said."

Kalian lowered his gaze, watching his boots as he stepped over a rock. "There are wicked people in every race and species. No single one is innocent, and no single one is guilty. It's not right to hold an entire people accountable for the actions of a few, or for the actions of the past. We can't forget what was done, but we can learn from it and move on."

"Is that what the Commander is doing? Is she learning and moving on?"

"She is."

"Are you?"

"Yes."

Bellamy nodded slowly. "Then I suppose I will too."

"Was it hard, learning that Samson was a Scindo?"

Bellamy combed his fingers through his hair, breathing a sigh. "Yes and no. I always knew there was something different about him. I just didn't know what. After he told me, so many things made sense, but..."

He sighed again. "I've never sought to destroy Faeriekind, but I had my prejudices. It's taken me time to put them aside, but I knew I had to try. I'd do anything for him." He smiled in the direction of Samson's silhouette. "Just like you'd do anything for Commander Lev."

"You know, she's not a Commander anymore. You can probably just call her Moira," Kalian chuckled.

"I'm taking no chances. Just because she won't hurt you doesn't mean she won't hurt me."

"I won't hurt you," Moira mumbled, lifting her head slightly. Kalian rested his hand on her knee. "I was getting tired of being called Commander anyway. I have a name. It would be nice if people used it more often." Shame flooded her features. "And not as a warning or frightening message." Kalian squeezed her knee gently.

"I'll remember that," Bellamy promised. He ceased walking and swung back onto his horse.

Kalian managed to haul himself onto Jasmine without assistance. He wrapped his arms around Moira's waist and took Jasmine's reins. They hurried after Bellamy just in time to see Samson ride back into view. He waved both arms and pointed in the distance.

Kalian's heart faltered. Smoke billowed on the horizon from a nearby village. "It's Mesia," Samson said, bringing his horse alongside theirs. "We're too far to tell if the Ironblades are still there, or if there are any survivors."

"Then let's find out." Moira took the reins from Kalian and dug her heels into Jasmine's sides. They galloped down a slope and reached the flattened plains. Samson and Bellamy raced after them.

☽◦༻◦☽◦༺◦☽

Moira slid off Jasmine's back, drawing her sword as they reached the outskirts of Mesia. Only the sound of roaring flames reached her ears. There were no screams. No clashing steel. No bangs from pistols or explosions from spark powder. Moira glanced back at Kalian. Magic glowed at his fingertips, but he bore no weapons.

Dagen stole them, she recalled. Moira drew her own obsidian dagger and handed it to Kalian. "You might need this," she whispered.

Kalian eyed the blade, then nodded. "That bastard will regret ever stealing mine." He reversed the blade in his grasp and followed her deeper into the village.

"There aren't any bodies," Bellamy noticed.

Samson crouched beside a red stain on the ground. He swept his fingers through it and sniffed. "No blood either. This is wine."

Moira faced Kalian. "Do you think the people evacuated?"

"Maybe. It wouldn't surprise me if King Arius and Queen Iyan took such precautions," Kalian replied.

Samson rose, brushing his hand off on his pants. "King Brandyr and Queen Aurora might not be able to do the same. I need to go to Tower Dawn and get my family to safety."

Moira bowed her head. "Go. We'll keep riding to Noctis. You can join us when your family is safe."

"I'll come with you, Samson," Bellamy offered. "Kal, take my horse if you're able. You two need to travel faster than we do."

Kalian took the stallion's reins as Bellamy dismounted. He joined Samson while Kalian swung onto his new mount. "Will you be all right?" Samson asked, shooting a pointed look at Kalian's back.

Kalian swallowed hard, but nodded. "I'll manage."

"I'll keep an eye on him," Moira promised. "Let's get going." She mounted Jasmine and guided her out of the burning city. Kalian followed, while Samson and Bellamy set off in another direction. "How long will it take us to reach Noctis from here?"

"We can be there by dawn if we ride without stopping," he answered.

"Then let's aim for dawn." Moira pointed ahead of them. "I don't think there will be any safe places to camp anyway."

Dozens of fires were burning before them. Moira watched Kalian, recognizing the haunted look that filled his eyes. No doubt he was recalling the attack on Cosette and all that he had endured then. Moira could only pray that these villages were abandoned like Mesia, and that no other person would experience what she and Kalian had.

☽◦༻◦☽◦༺◦☽

Dawn spilled across the land, washing the city of Noctis in crimson light. Kalian galloped through the hectic streets with Moira on his heels. Ironblades had already reached the capital and Night Faeries were rushing to defend their homes. Kalian recognized several of Gabriel's soldiers among the common folk, ushering young children to the safety of stone houses.

The Royal Estate was on the other side of the city, but Kalian was sure the Ironblades had already reached it. If Dagen wanted to wipe out all of Faeriekind, cutting them off at the head was a sure way to do so. He would've been fighting to reach them since arriving. Kalian glanced over his shoulder, ensuring that Moira was still following him. Her brows were furrowed and a look of resolve was etched across her features.

"Stay close to me," Kalian hollered. "My people won't know what side you're on."

Moira nodded and flicked Jasmine's reins. They raced on, swerving around people and dodging flying projectiles. Magic blasted around them and Kalian swiftly threw a shield over Moira, then himself. A heartbeat later, an explosion rocked the earth and Kalian was flung from his horse.

He landed on his back and a scream tore from his throat as the stumps of his wings made contact with hard cobblestone. "Kalian!" Moira's voice overlapped his. She swung off Jasmine and sprinted towards him. Kalian twisted onto his side, sucking down jagged breaths.

He craned his head and saw what was left of his horse. Its chest had been blown open and a steady stream of blood gushed from the wound. Kalian shifted his focus to his back. Blood stained the bandages on his wing stumps. He pushed himself to his feet and Moira slipped her arm around him.

"There's no time to take care of that," Kalian grunted as Moira's gaze fell to his injury. "We have to get to the manor. I need to help my King and Queen."

"Moira?" A voice called behind them.

Kalian spun around, locking eyes with Lir. Moira drew her iron sword and angled herself between the two of them. "Where is Dagen?" She growled.

"With Malachi."

"Where are they?"

"Why have you come?"

"To stop you," she spat.

Lir continued to hold Kalian's gaze. "You're alive. He was certain you would die."

"It seems death will not come for me until I finish my business here first," Kalian replied. "Where is Dagen?"

Lir's gaze darted between him and Moira. "Be reasonable, Lir," Moira pleaded. "This won't solve anything."

"Even after everything they've done, after everything you've done, you're changing your mind?" Lir asked. "You're going to fight for them?"

"I am fighting to right the wrongs I've done, and to make a difference while I still can."

"And him?" Lir gestured to Kalian. "You're still choosing him, after everything that has happened?"

"I'm tired of knowing nothing but hatred and bloodshed. Kalian has shown me something more. He's helping me find myself again. He's helping me learn to love." Kalian's heart twisted with affection as he listened to Moira. "Those are things I never thought I'd be able to do. If I can do that, then the rest of you can too." Moira took a step towards Lir. "Help us," she whispered. "There has to be another way."

Lir lowered his head briefly. Kalian looked about, making sure there was no one coming their way. The Ironblades were still occupied with the other Faeries, but Kalian kept his magic on hand anyway. At last, Lir met Moira's gaze.

"Last I saw Dagen, he and Malachi had just broken into the Royal Estate. They might still be there," Lir said. "I'll try to stop the fighting out here, but I make no promises. Most of these people were wounded by Faeries somehow, and carry decades worth of prejudice and hatred."

"Time dulls all wounds," Kalian growled. "Unfortunately for Dagen, he recently reopened mine." He mounted Jasmine and offered a hand to Moira. She let him pull her up into the saddle and they took off across the city.