Page 20 of Disillusioned (A Lay of Ruinous Reign #2)

“The Midraal Market is a nomadic caravan that can only be accessed by Daemons and magic folk,” explained Adelaide, her oche eyes brimming with fascination.

“It brings a variety of arcane goods—armor, spices, weapons, magic—from their origin in the east and other magical realms to the western kingdoms and occasionally overseas.”

“Why can’t mortals access it?”

She shot Lilac an annoyed glare. “Because they don’t serve or sell to mortals. Could you imagine what trouble the world as we know it should fall into if humans had access to magic they themselves could not harness?”

“It would be like giving a small child a blade,” Lorietta added. “But I hear they are talented Conjurers from an ancient bloodline, and I’m sure their market is warded heavily. It’s the only way they’d be able to make it across the continent without being attacked.”

Lilac’s throat went dry as they all looked at her. Could not be accessed by mortals . “Well, it’s a good thing we’re stealing from them, then.”

Lorietta and Batsion looked uneasy, while Garin’s eyes flickered in excitement.

Even Adelaide’s perpetually irritated expression molded into a reluctant grin.

“Speak for yourself. I’m willing to pay or trade, depending on what they carry.

Their meticulous schedule brings them throughout Brittany every three hundred years, and they were last here on their merchant pilgrimage in 1340. ”

Lilac could do the simple math. “It’s over a century early?”

“Precisely.”

“So… is that good or bad?”

Adelaide shrugged. “Depends on who you ask. I assumed they wouldn’t be stopping to sell to clients this time around, but I figured if I caught up to them I could ask to view their wares. Or beg. Whichever they prefer.”

“You have a point,” Lorietta said slowly. “It seems by Kestrel’s request that the market is in the area acting as courier, and he’s having you intercept it for him.”

Worry flooding through her, Lilac couldn’t help but feel extremely ill-prepared. She barely defeated the slow-moving revenant on her own. She groaned inwardly and looked down at herself, hoping the damage wasn’t too great—and gasped.

“When Garin told me he’d gotten your clothing made with fortifying and anti-staining charms, I laughed,” Lorietta scoffed, an edge to her tone. “I stand corrected.”

“I also asked for a subtle agility charm, but this was denied.”

“Asked who?” Lilac asked, marveling at the like-new kirtle. She looked up at both witches.

“Don’t look at me,” Adelaide said, while Lorietta shook her head. “I don’t waste my time with Alteration. ”

He grinned. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”

He could keep his secrets. She’d charm it out of him eventually, because she could definitely do with more of these fine dresses.

“It’s probably the reason she’s still alive,” Bastion mused, hands on his hips. “Right, well, I do hope you all have a fantastic rest of your evening. Stay safe, now. Don’t upset the minions of some eldritch goddess and sink our tiny country into the sea.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” asked Lilac as he slinked toward the shadows.

The vampire turned halfway. “I’m not going to this Midraal Market, that’s for certain.” There was a defensive edge to his uneasy tone. “I’m going to go do what I do best.”

“Complain?”

He shot her a furious glare that said he’d slap her again if Garin wouldn’t drive a stake through his body. “ Eat .”

Adelaide snickered, tucking the front of her long fringe behind her ears. “Are you sure? I think it would be interesting.”

“I’m not risking my neck for interesting .”

“He’s right,” Garin murmured, regarding his brother with a knowing look.

“He shouldn’t come. We don’t know how long this will take, and he has no defense against the sun.

He’ll stay here for now.” He silenced Bastion’s protest with a glare.

“They could use the help in my absence, especially with what just happened with the revenant.”

Lorietta made a reluctant noise. “I suppose I can find him a room.”

As Garin gave Bastion a short set of instructions of what to do at the bar, Lilac turned her attention to Adelaide. “You said only magic folk can find the market. Does he count?” She gestured with a thumb at Garin.

The witch swept her dark hair over her shoulder and snorted.

“They will likely be warded this time if they’re transporting cargo.

From what I understand, their main clientele includes magic folk and the Fair Folk.

Vampires usually don’t practice magic, though I have heard of a couple who study just for the sake of understanding their condition better at the Ambleside Sanctum.

Either way, they typically wouldn’t have interest in magical weaponry or ingredients.

” Adelaide trailed off as Lilac looked at her expectantly. “What is that chipper look about?”

The truth was, Lilac didn’t hadn’t known vampires held the ability to practice magic, didn’t know what or where the Ambleside Sanctum was, but the heady rush of fear and adrenaline she’d felt before escaping her tower weeks ago had suddenly returned.

She had not accomplished what she’d set out to do this evening, and she wouldn’t get the Accords fully drafted or signed tonight.

That much was clear. But now that they had an out of Kestrel’s original bargain so long as they successfully retrieved his chest—which, they would—Lilac felt a little better about returning home and devoting more of her time and attention to drafting the Accords.

She would perfect her decrees and keep an eye on France.

But for now, adventure called.

Lilac was hardly surprised that Kestrel had asked her and Garin to track down a market they could literally not find, but she would not pass up the easy solution before her.

“We need to get to the market but won’t be able to find it without someone like you.

You need to get to the market but don’t have a ride.

You’ll come with us, won’t you? I’m being serious,” she added when Adelaide answered with a rotten scowl.

“I’ll get you your horse—I’ll have a stable built near your cottage. But we’ll find the market together.”

Adelaide hesitated, still wearing her suspicious sneer. Lilac was just about to beg her when the witch scoffed.

“Whatever. I’m riding up front.”