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CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

IN WHICH THE PARTY RETURNS TO THE ROAD

Upon landing in Solfarin, Narille took the lead once more, guiding us to a tall brick building near the center of the city.

A dwarf greeted us at the door. When he saw Narille and her guards, his eyes bugged out of his head.

After partaking in light refreshments, we were brought before an official-looking middle-aged man, an Alf like Hohem, hunched over a desk.

He spotted us, did a double take, and shot upright, tripping over his chair in his haste to stand.

“Lady Narille!” he exclaimed. “You’re alive!”

“The Lady of War smile upon you, Varalt,” the heiress greeted, offering a shallow bow. “I would share the details of our situation, but the tale is long-winded, and we are eager to return home. Oh, but these are my brave rescuers: Mar, Luthri, and Hohem.”

The official’s aquamarine gaze roamed over each of us in turn, and recognition sparked to life.

“Ah, yes. Last week’s arrivals. They were in and out so quickly, we didn’t get the chance to meet.

Glad to see you’ve returned in one piece and that you were successful in returning Lady Narille to us.

What a victory to your credit! I can’t wait to hear the whole story. ”

Silence followed his animated monologue. Is this where I contribute? “Thank you,” I said, not sure what else was expected of us. In my mind, I’d already passed the torch to Narille, prepared to sit back and become a side character. My work here was done.

And a victory, huh? If that’s the case, why doesn’t it feel like one?

As if reading my mind, Luthri squeezed my hand. I squeezed back.

Narille forged ahead, all business. “It will get around, I’ve no doubt, Varalt. In the meantime, though, I must ask you for a favor. I will need to borrow some funds for our travel. My father can take it out of Solfarin’s dues for the next quarter if you would be amenable.”

Varalt agreed right away. “Of course, it’s my pleasure. How much do you need?”

As they discussed business, the rest of us shuffled across the room to admire the art.

The town hall’s interior designer must have been related to whoever decorated Rugaveld’s grand old house, for they had the same questionable taste.

I could believe the painting of nude fauns prancing about in a meadow dotted by flowers was a curated display of fae artistry.

The one of a roughly sketched snake woman choking on her own tail, I wasn’t sure about.

Narille joined us before I could ponder the meaning too deeply.

“We are all set,” she announced, slipping a full purse into the folds of her cloak. “Unless you have other business to conduct in the area, we may move on straightaway.”

“Better sooner rather than later,” Luthri advised.

I nodded my agreement and began to catalog a mental list of needs. “All right. We ought to pick up a few things before we leave. More food supplies, drinking water, clothes?—”

“Oh, no need for all that,” Narille interrupted with a small smile. “We’ll be taking the train. It’s much faster, and they will include refreshments with our ticket. When we reach Ild Lamon, my home, my family will provide you with everything you need for your return trip. ”

I opened my mouth—and closed it. The train would be faster, not to mention more comfortable. So long as it wasn’t our money being thrown at luxuries, I could allow it. I could even look forward to it. “Good point,” I conceded. “Sounds like a plan.”

“No complaints here,” Lu added.

My gaze strayed to Hohem, who hovered near the paintings, lost in his own world. He wasn’t listening. Oh, well. He would support whatever decisions got us home in one piece. Hopefully, taking the train would bring him some comfort as well.

Eager to be home, Narille said a quick goodbye to Solfarin’s administration and swept out with the rest of us on her heels.

As we traveled the roads to the front gate, I took in the city for what might be the last time.

It might not be Munarzed at its best, all neat planters and folks navigating the streets as if choreographed, but it made for a lovely picture.

Hah. Hardly through with the meat of the mission, and already I’d begun to reflect.

We briefly stopped by the entry checkpoint to report our departure. The scribe on shift, emotional over Narille’s return, marked the day’s record as an afterthought. Narille artfully excused herself with the justification of getting on the road, and we were on our way.

As the terrain shifted, the earth growing a richer shade and softening under our feet, Yrra and Daethie came to mind.

Could we see them before heading north to the Kereti capital?

We would need to come back with their share of the reward either way, but they should know about Vyrain.

An updated timeline wouldn’t go amiss either.

I quickened my pace. “Lady Narille—question for you. Two of our party chose to stay in the wetlands on the way here. Could we stop by and check on them? We’d planned to return that way, but if the route is too winding, we can come back later.”

“There is no need for formalities between us, Mar,” the heiress chided. “Call me Narille, please.” She cocked her head, contemplating my proposition. “Where in the wetlands? ”

“It’s a straight shot.” I indicated the general area.

“And how long will meeting with your friends take?”

“I can’t imagine it would be that long. A quarter span, half span, perhaps.”

Calculations ran behind Narille’s ruby eyes. “We could afford a minor digression. If we miss the evening train, though, it will be several spans before the night train comes through.”

It would be worth it. I shrugged one shoulder. “Who’s in a rush?”

Narille tipped her head. “Then, please lead the way.”

Admittedly, I wasn’t sure where Yrra and Daethie could be found at this point.

The wetlands spread several kilometers in either direction, covering what must be several hundred acres in total.

Had Yrra claimed the entirety of the territory, or would they keep to the areas with deep water?

Would they stick together or live separate lives as neighbors?

Despite the uncertainty, I guided the group toward the marsh our friends called home.

The distance was greater than I remembered, and the journey stretched well into the afternoon.

When we hit the first pool, I kept my eyes and ears peeled for signs of nykse .

Facing them once was more than enough. At least this time, our party was largely composed of competent women.

It would be easier for five of us to drag two men.

It hadn’t occurred to me that Narille’s type might not be keen on wading through bogs until I thought to check in. Narille showed no signs of frustration, holding her overskirt out of the way as her long legs sliced through the water, but her companions all wore identical frowns.

To hell with it. Cupping my hands over my mouth, I called, “Yrra! Daethie! It’s us!”

Luthri cast a horrified look my way, and Hohem’s indifference shifted to wariness, but I’d be ready if danger arose. I was a force to be reckoned with when well-rested.

The soft buzz of wings heralded a new arrival. My stance relaxed when a sharp female voice purred, “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the first intruders of our new home.”

Heads snapped around, but the speaker didn’t reveal themselves immediately.

“Oh, shush, you,” I retorted, sloshing through the muck in the direction of Daethie’s voice. “I won’t believe you’ve forgotten us. It hasn’t even been a week.”

A flutter of movement drew my gaze to the delicate branch of a lone, spindly tree and the tiny figure perched there. Despite her hostile greeting, joy lit the pixie’s little face from within. “Honestly, we didn’t think you’d come back. Chances didn’t look good.”

“Yeah, you know, all the missing people make sense now—it’s a wild story.”

A story that Narille’s imposing presence at my back reminded me we didn’t have time to tell. Clearing my throat, I started to address Vyrain’s absence, but the words clumped together and didn’t budge. Better to wait for Yrra, anyway, and tell them both at once.

Daethie rubbed her hands together, her gaze sharpening. “You have our money?”

“We’re headed there next,” I told her. “I haven’t forgotten.”

Her eyes strayed. “Oh, so this is that lady, huh?”

“Lady Narille,” I confirmed, looking to the sky for patience. “Who else would it be?”

Daethie’s crass manner was perhaps even more grating when combined with the haughtiness of knowing we were within her territory. Why on Earth had I missed them—some guilt-driven desire to torture myself for a perceived failing?

“Maybe Luthri got tired of chasing after your stuck-up, know-it-all ass and turned his focus to building a harem of baldies.” Daethie shrugged. “You never know.”

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Narille offered, unbothered.

I moved the conversation forward before the pixie could take advantage of the lady’s kindness. “Daethie, where is Yrra? We’d like to update you both and get going.”

“He’ll be by soon. There’s lots of work to do, you know, though we are getting comfortable. As it turns out, nykse taste like fish.” Daethie smacked her lips to punctuate her repulsive suggestion. A shiver ran down my spine at the image that came to mind.

I’d opened my mouth, lecture prepared, but a muted splash upsetting the surface of a pool nearby distracted me from my mission.

Yrra swam for us, a lithe figure cutting through the water.

As his feet reached land, he emerged, slicking back his hair with a casual swipe of his hand.

Warmth spread throughout my chest at the sight of my friend.

He looked to be in his element. Newfound confidence straightened his back, and he’d adjusted well to the land, having fashioned himself a seaweed belt more suited to an aquatic lifestyle than linen or leather. It covered the important bits, just barely.