Page 25 of Grave Situation

~Yes~

Dammit.Did you just say that because I asked you to?I refuse to fuck up this task just because I don’t like the cold.

The flick of contempt from the stone assures me that’s not going to happen.

“South it is,” Master is saying. “We should get you on the road as soon as possible.”

“Tomorrow,” one of the healers suggests, and I commit her face to memory to add to my list of sworn enemies. “I’d say tonight, but he needs more time to properly rest after being healed.”

How very generous of her.

“Not tomorrow,” I insist. “I have some matters to settle here, including my students.”

“This is urgent,” Master Leng begins. “The champion must?—”

“The champion will be found when the stone wants me to find them,” I point out. “It can lead me from here directly to them if it so chooses. We could even ask for some help from a dragon rider and be there in mere hours.”

There are far too many surprised faces for my liking. Did that thought not occur to any of them?

“Could… could a dragon take him directly to the champion?” Master Leng asks the stone cautiously.

~No~

The murmur of disappointment makes me want to bash some heads together. They really, truly hadn’t already considered it? Not even the dragon riders? I look over at Hearne and am relieved to see the frustration I’m feeling mirrored on his face. At least someone’s not lacking their wits.

“Will it matter if Talon delays a day or so?” Master asks the stone.

~No~

Well, thank all the gods for that.

Master’s next question is inspired. “Does he need to travel alone?”

~No~

Relief settles over me like a blanket. I hadn’t even thought of that. Master Cranch gestures. “Who would you like to take, Talon?”

I meet Master’s gaze, and he shakes his head slightly.“No. I’m needed here.”

“Tia.” I say it firmly. I would have argued to take both of them, but if Master won’t come, I won’t go without her.

~Yes~

The stone’s confirmation sets the councilors to murmuring again. Most of them don’t know who I’m talking about, but it’s Master Gao who finally asks, “Who is Tia?”

“Tavia Silverbright,” Rider Kanesha answers, and Hearne smiles.

“Leicht’s rider?” He nods. “An excellent choice.” Pause. “Silverbright? Any relation?”

“My sister.” Here it comes.

“A mage and a rider from the same parents?” His surprise is evident. It’s not uncommon for different Talents to run in families, but usually the same Talent manifests within a single generation. Siblings with different Talents, like me and Tia, are rare.

“They’re twins,” Rider Kanesha adds. There’s a flurry of gasps, and anyone who wasn’t already looking at me like I’m a bug they want to study is now. If siblings with different Talents are rare, twins with different Talents are like golden eggs. Tia and I looked it up once, and the last time it happened was about twelve generations ago.

“A lucky omen,” I hear someone on the healer side of the room say, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

“Is there anyone else who needs to go with him?” Master Cranch asks briskly, trying to get the situation under control.

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