Erith could feel the Warden’s gaze pressing down on him. Stern. Unflinching.

Despite the cool evening air, heat crept into his face. The tremble in his hands refused to settle.

“The Captain here and his men are more than equipped to handle a barrier of this type. Wouldn’t you agree?” Cerus raised his hands slightly, addressing Saryn with that same infuriating calm.

“There’s nothing in there we can’t maintain,” the Warden added, shifting his attention to Saryn. “The city’s barriers will soon run as if they were new, High Illuminary.”

Cerus smirked, clapping a shoulder onto the Warden. “Garst is the captain the Pining Frost Expedition needs in a time of uncertainty. Estorath would be proud to see his Warden taking on the role.”

“Then I suppose we’re in luck,” Saryn replied. “A barrier this old needs careful attention. We’ve been trying to stay ahead of the cracks forming along the outer shell. Simply put, healers are better suited in the Soliri than mending Kaida containers, regardless of what tradition has held.”

Cerus’s grin didn’t waiver, but gave a faint tilt of his head. “It seems unlike Loradun to let a relic like this fall into disrepair.”

“And it hasn’t. Enough care is given,” Saryn said, her voice firmer. “This drought continues, Cerus. Velmoran is one of the few northern settlements we have across the Dead Plains. Like Aldarath, we put our resources where they are most needed.”

Erith’s heart pounded. Cerus kept his eyes on Saryn, but the feeling was unmistakable. Beneath the surface of the conversation, his attention tightened around Erith like a noose.

“Well then,” Saryn said, seizing the silence. “We’ve nothing more to tend to here.” Her eyes flicked toward the guardhouse. “I presume your men have their own quarters?”

“Saryn… Saryn.” Cerus gave a shallow laugh. “We are not here to take the town. The Pining Frost have their accommodations. They won’t be using your guardhouse.”

Saryn turned slightly, placing a hand on Erith’s arm to guide him away. “Of course. Then if there’s anything you need, you know where the Soliri is.”

“Ah. One more thing,” Cerus called after them. “A curiosity—who is the boy? I recall seeing him by your side in the Soliri. And here he is again, beside the Healer Primaris of the Soliri. Simply on a stroll at dusk?”

Erith’s pulse thundered in his chest.

Saryn paused only a moment before glancing at him, then back at Cerus and the Warden. “I don’t have time to introduce you to every one of my family members Cerus—nor do I have time for strolls. Now, if I am not needed here, I’m certainly needed elsewhere.”

She tugged Erith’s arm, turning him fully before starting toward the alley stairs. As they moved, Erith risked a glance over his shoulder—just enough to see the satisfied expressions on both Cerus and the Warden.

He knows. They both know.

“They’ll take the Soliri by dawn,” Saryn whispered. “We must hurry.”

“Cerus knows that I’m—”

“There is no question of it,” Saryn cut in, quickening her pace. “I suspected the High Illuminary was staying in the city this long for a reason. There’s no doubt now—he knows you attacked the Morvath diplomats.”

“Then why take the Soliri?” Erith whispered, trying to keep pace. “Why not just take me right there?”

Saryn let out a dry laugh. “Tal says you’re sharp, but maybe modesty’s your flaw. You infiltrated a fortress and brought it down. Alone. Wielding Mura like Murasi from stories too frightening to be believed.”

She looked back at him. “You’re not someone anyone simply takes.”

“But if he can corner you in the halls of the Soliri with an army behind him…” Her voice lowered. “Then maybe the scales might feel balanced.”

“An army? Erith asked, slipping around a bend in the alley. “Wouldn’t that mean Aldarath stepping right into open war with Loradun?”

“It would,” Saryn said with a reluctance in her words. “If I hadn’t already given them a reason to be there.”

The alleyway opened up to the main road before the Soliri entrance.

“Taking the Kaida barrier wasn’t by chance. My father was the Healer Primaris before me. He too helped Loradun in the way he could. We smuggled Kaida—through the Soliri.”

Her pace slowed as they entered the lantern-lit paths of the Soliri gardens. The scent of faintly crushed herbs crept through the air down the gravel path between the hedges. “It wasn’t much of a secret, more like a necessity for all the kingdoms…until this opportunity was worth more than the need.”

Her steps faltered. She turned sharply toward Erith. Even then, her expression remained measured—but in the dim moonlight, Erith could see the fractures of unease beneath it.

For a moment, they stood in silence, until Saryn shook her head.

“There’s no other way,” she murmured, rummaging through a pouch at her waist, until she pulled out a small iron key.

“Cerus passes through Velmoran from time to time. He might find healing just as wondrous as Kaida and Mura.” She gazed back at the cityscape before turning her attention back to Erith.

“I’ve come to know him over the years. Curious. Calculated. Clever. Seizing our city’s Kaida barrier is as good as declaring his intentions to take the Soliri.”

A small breath escaped her. “I’m worried our next steps aren’t our own—but I don’t see another path. You must go. Gather the others and pack. Wait for another hour before leaving the lecture hall.”

Her voice grew firmer. “Speak to no one. Make sure you are not followed. Take the alleys to the city square—it’s around the corner from the barrier garrison.”

“Are you coming—”

“At the northeast end of the square, there’s a small shop. I have a room above it.” She grabbed Erith’s arm and placed the key within his hand. “The stairs up are behind the shop in the alley.”

“But—” The word barely left Erith’s lips before it was lost to the rapid pace of Saryn’s plan unfolding.

“At dawn, someone will knock. Only answer if they ask for Tal. They will escort you to the docks and will take you to Moranthal—it’s a small village a bit down the Caelor river. A caravan was meant to meet us here… to guide us through the Dead Plains. I have to reach them before they arrive in Velmoran—or I fear what awaits them.”

She closed Erith’s hand around the key. “I will meet you in Moranthal. We will cross through the Dead Plains from there.”

Erith’s voice faltered. “You’re leaving the Soliri?”

Saryn turned. Her gaze lingered on the Soliri, its pillars etched in shadow against the night.

“The Soliri has been in the hands of Loradun since history first fell to ink, but the pages of history have turned. ”

Her voice softened, but the words struck with finality.

“Loradun is retreating from Velmoran.”

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