Page 87 of Of Blood & Stone

“Sylzenya?” The innkeeper, Helena called through the door, “You have some visitors.”

Elnok turned to her, confusion set in his face.

She seemed just as confused as he did, which meant meeting with someone in the dead of night wasn’t some Estean cultural expectation. They both glanced at the compass, and then back at each other.

Panic sliced through his skin as he grabbed the compass, motioning for her to say something—to stall Helena.

“Um, Helena, so sorry, I’ll be right there,” she said, her voice sounding as if she’d just woken up.

“Please hurry, dear. They wish to see the prince as well.”

They dressed quickly. Elnok took down his rope and attached it to his belt, giving Sylzenya the compass, which she pocketed in her bloodied Kreena robe. Heart racing, he took Sylzenya’s hand before she opened the door.

“We should run,” he whispered.

Sylzenya shook her head, squeezing his hand. “If we tried, they’d suspect something. The best thing we can do is present just as we have the last few days. If they ask about the healingpool, we lie, for no one saw us. Even Kharis doesn’t know where we collected the compass.”

“This is a gamble.”

“It’s this or fully expose ourselves by running or hiding. We’d inevitably get caught, and there would be unavoidable consequences. At least in this we have a chance at keeping the compass hidden and sticking to our plan for tomorrow.”

Elnok’s instinct still screamed for them to run, but Sylzenya was right. Outside of this kingdom, hiding was simple. There were villages and ships, factions of people who opposed or supported one another, more land that stretched the distances and with it, buried names. But here, there was only the temple, barracks, village, and forest. The High One’s rules were obeyed by all.

They were trapped.

“Very well,” Elnok replied, letting go of her hand as Sylzenya opened the door.

Helena wrung her hands as two people stood on either side of her: a woman with dark hair and pale skin, her Kreena robe decorated with fresh blood, and her golden eyes downcast; a man donned in Dynami armor, his golden hair tied in a topknot, and the orodyte on his chest glowing a bright yellow.

“Nyla,” Sylzenya whispered.

“Kharis,” Elnok breathed.

“Yes, um, they’ve requested to speak with you both,” Helena said, motioning to the only two people in all of Estea who had any information about what Elnok and Sylzenya had been planning. “There are sweets and various drinks in the breakfast nook.”

Kharis coughed.

“Oh, yes,” Helena said swiftly, “And wine, of course.”

“Sylzenya, Prince Elnok,” Kharis said, “If you would join us.”

Elnok snarled at the glass of wine Kharis poured for him.

All four of them sat at a wooden table decorated with bright flowers and white doilies, Helena’s breakfast nook a well of pastel colors and fanciful designs.

Elnok traced the hilt of his hidden dagger.

Kharis folded his hands as he asked Elnok, “Are you still in possession of the compass?”

Strained silence stretched between the four of them.

“We plan to see the High One tomorrow for the treaty revisions,” Elnok finally answered. “It’s during that time we’ll give him the compass to do as he sees fit.”

“I see.” Kharis unfolded his hands. “I think the matter of the compass is far more dire than either of you realize, so, I’d urge us to go meet with the High One and discuss it with him now.”

“Now?” Elnok laughed, “Kharis, it’s the middle of the night.”

“What do you mean adirematter?” Sylzenya interjected.

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