Saria was on the ship in the control room sitting down reading a book. Solara came rushing in the room frantically as she began speaking absurdly fast. Saria looked at her confused before raising her hand to silence her.

"Take a deep breath then exhale so you can speak sensibly." Saria said gently, causing Solara to relax a bit as she let out a deep sigh. 

"I went back to the healing center and Ava wasn't there. I asked the fairy that took care of her where she went and said a highborn knight came after I had left. When I asked her to describe him...she gave me his name." Solara hesitantly said, causing Saria to drop her book. Gradually, she stood up out of her chair trembling. 

"Vesryn?" Saria choked out as Solara nodded to confirm. Vesryn was a knight that had been to many cities around Astria doing jobs for the queen. It wasn't a surprise that someone in the city Noswell knew him.

"How the hell did he know where we were going?" Solara cried as she began to become worried. Saria looked over at the computer and frowned.

 "He saw the coordinates on the computer before he left, probably. My guess....he took Ava so she could direct him to her village." Saria mumbled with a slight hint of worry in her voice.

"Are you certain he didn't kill her?" Solara asked worriedly as Saria shook her head.

 "As long as I've known him he's never killed a woman. Although, he's definitely hurt a few female assassins before taking them into custody. Still, I'm certain Ava is alright." Saria said reassuringly as she approached Solara. 

"Well I don't know the name of her village or where it is. Do we wait for her to come back here or what?" Solara asked, still seeming to be concerned. Saria sighed as she pushed her hair back from her face. 

"I need to go home to report the failure and to let my family know that I'm alright." Saria said unhappily as she began to think about Ky. Solara stepped closer to Saria and placed her hand on Saria's shoulder. 

 "I'm really sorry about Ky and I'll accept the punishment for all the trouble." Solara said nervously but Saria took hold of her hand while she shook her head. 

 "I don't think Ky would want that despite the fact you beat him up." Saria smiled with a small laugh causing Solara to smile back. 

 "What do we tell the queen about what transpired a few nights ago?" Solara asked as Saria then became conflicted. It was clear they needed to come up with a story of what happened without the whole truth. 

 "If what Ava told us was true about tartareans coming to this land, then maybe we say they attacked us." Saria said as she placed her thumb under her chin. She bit her lip as she continued to think about what to say. "Also, Taegan after he discovered what was happening in his village." Saria said, sounding unsure of herself. Solara nodded hesitantly as she waved her hands.

"Well, hopefully, this story is believable. Let's just get going so we can quickly head back out to find Ava before it's too late." Solara said, causing Saria to snap her finger in agreement. Saria turned away from Solara and walked over to the main controls to start the ship. A part of her was dreading her return home since it would be without Ky and also Vesryn. She no longer trusted Vesryn and she had to deal with the fact she left Ky behind to die.