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“Working on another book?” I ask him.

“I’m trying to recall everything I’ve ever read about Lirasu.”

“For what purpose?”

“If it’s to be our battleground, we need a strategy. We’ll need to know as much about the lay of the land as possible. The local governor—is he likely to aid us in our efforts?”

After some thought, I nod. “He’s a kind and fair man. He will hear us out, though I’ve no idea what actions he’ll be prepared to take.”

“That’s good.” Petrik writes another line. “We have some advantages with the landscape. The city borders the mountains. We can take the high ground. Your forge and tools are all there, in case we need anything else made before Kymora reaches us. There’s a local mine, right?”

“Yes,” I answer. “It’s where I get all my ore from. The entire mountain to the south is full of rich veins of it.”

“The entire mountain?” Petrik asks.

“That’s what I’ve heard. Why?”

“I’m not sure. It’s just something to note. You use coal in your kiln when forging?”

“Yes.”

“Where do you get it?”

“There’s a vendor in the city. He always has tons of the stuff. I think he has it brought in from Orena. There are natural deposits of it in the north of the territory. It’s not even terribly expensive.”

“Hmm,” Petrik says.

Though it’s upside down for me, I read what he writes next.

Coal, cheap

Mountain filled with iron ore

Accelerant?

“What are you planning?” I ask.

“I’m just jotting down my thoughts. It’s nothing yet.”

Still, what does he need an accelerant for?

When Petrik and Temra aren’t together, I steal moments alone with my sister. We’ll walk ahead of the group out of hearing range or snuggle by the fire together in the evenings when we make camp. I feel stretched thin, wanting to spend time alone with her, alone with Kellyn—cramming in as many new memories as possible before the fight ahead. Before my whole world can come to an end.

“I’ve never spent much time thinking about the future,” Temra says one evening, while we’re off collecting firewood together. “I normally like making the most of the present, but I’m so excited for after the fight, when I get to return to Skiro’s Capital and begin my training as a royal guard in earnest.”

I wish I could say I’m just as enthusiastic about her future. “Does Petrik approve of your intended profession?” I ask.

“He doesn’t love it, but he loves me, so he’s willing to support me no matter what.”

“I suppose that’s good.”

“Don’t sound so gloomy. I’ll be fine. Besides, you’ll be too busy enjoying your life with Kellyn to worry about me as a guard.”

I don’t answer her right away, so she says, “You will be with Kellyn, won’t you?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Whyever not?”