Page 15 of The Immortal Covenant

Instead of giving in to his desire, Sarilian said, “Thank you. For showing me this.”

The barest hint of a smile flickered over Malorg’s lips. “This? This is only the beginning. Come.”

He offered his hand again, and Sarilian took it without hesitation, relishing the strange chill the contact sent radiating through him. He could no longer tell if that was an effect of the duskflame or simply his reaction to Malorg’s touch.

Sarilian let his eyes rove around as Malorg led them deeper into the city. There was so much tosee, each new building or street a grand monument onto itself. The overall effect should have been discordant. Yet somehow, engulfed in the perpetual darkness of the Dusklands, it conveyed ephemeral beauty instead of madness. This wasn’t the purposeless chaos of the Void but freedom of expression—a testament to individual wills with competing visions that nevertheless united to create something greater than their disparate parts.

“Is it me, or are the streets too empty?” Sarilian murmured to Malorg. He’d spotted only a handful of Infernals, most of those glimpsed from afar on balconies or rooftops.

“Oh, there are plenty of us here. You simply need to know where to look.”

Squinting, Sarilian performed a more careful survey of their surroundings. The street appeared deserted save for them and the shifting patterns that coated every surface.

“I don’t—” he began to say, cutting off when an Infernal suddenly materialized right beside them. Sarilian tensed, bracing himself for a fight, but the Infernal gave them only the barest of passing glances before continuing on her way, vanishing through a door Sarilian hadn’t even noticed set into a nearby wall.

Duskwalking, he realized, his eyes widening as he took in the countless shadows flitting past. He’d assumed them all part of the magic of this place, but many must be Infernals using their duskflame to quickly travel from place to place. That also helped explain the narrow streets and even narrower alleys. There was no need for anything wider than a crack when you could sink into the shadows at will.

“Doesn’t all that duskwalking get exhausting?” he asked, watching a dark blur rush past them and vanish up the side of a building.

A couple of steps ahead of him, Malorg shrugged. “Does maintaining your armor and spear wearyouout?”

Sarilian considered the question as Malorg led them down an alley so tight, they had to turn sideways to fit. “I suppose not. Only when I’ve already exhausted my magic. With a full reserve, it’s as easy as breathing.”

Malorg shrugged again as if to say,Well, there you go. “Same for us with duskwalking. It’s the first thing new arrivals are taught: a method of travel and defense both.”

Sarilian snorted, brushing a hand over his tunic. “Personally, I’d prefer armor to blunt a voidspawn’s claws.”

“What need is there for armor when you can simply avoid getting hit?”

Sarilian rolled his eyes at the Infernal’s back, but before he could reply, they were out of the narrow alley and into… Once again, Sarilian found himself at a loss for words, only capable of staring.

Malorg kept walking for a moment before he realized Sarilian had stopped. He looked back, eyes questioning. “You coming?”

Sarilian swallowed, slowly scanning the area. “Whatisthis place?”

The corners of Malorg’s lips twitched. “This is the Market.”

Hundreds of Infernals filled the cavernous room, browsing stands erected in no discernible organization. Like a tiny version of Twilight itself, each had a unique style, some curved and low, others towering over the crowd.

Sarilian’s eyes locked on one of the stalls, and he pointed. “Hey, that one looks like Daybreak!”

Malorg tracked Sarilian’s indignant finger to the black-spired stall, faint amusement plain on his face. “So it does. Rather improved though, don’t you think?”

Sarilian grinned. “Hey, not everything needs to be a wild mess to be engaging! Daybreak is spectacular enough just as it is. It…”He trailed off as he fully registered what Malorg had said. “Hold on. How doyouknow what Daybreak looks like?”

In an instant, Malorg’s mirth vanished, replaced by his usual stoic mask. “Let’s go.” He resumed walking, cutting a path through the crowd. Sarilian hurried to catch up, cursing the unfair advantage Malorg’s ability to slide in and out of the shadows offered him.

Just when he’d given up on an answer, Malorg said, “I visited as an emissary once.”

“An emissary?” Sarilian prompted when Malorg didn’t offer any more.

Malorg gave a curt nod as he slipped past a pair of chatting Infernals. “It was a long time ago.”

Sarilian tried to follow and ended up bumping into them, apologizing profusely while they berated him for not watching his step. The irate Infernals fell abruptly silent when they noticed Malorg glowering at Sarilian’s side. Their eyes widening with fear, they stammered apologies of their own before fleeing into the crowd.

Sarilian watched them go before turning to Malorg. “Do you know them?”

Malorg’s lips pressed into a thin line as he resumed walking. “Twilight is a small place.”

---