Annai was huddled at the base of a tree, surrounded by thick bushes that both obscured her from sight and blocked the cold wind.

It was a weird feeling. Quilla knew that well before she could see Annai, and no one told her it. But she could almost see through Annai’s eyes.

It was also weird feeling Annai’s joy when she realised Quilla and Vern were approaching. Was this what Felitïa felt all the time? Probably, but why the hell was she thinking of Felitïa? Fuck Felitïa.

Annai rose from her hiding spot as they got closer. She was definitely a sight for sore eyes, even if she wasn’t looking her best. Her parka was torn in several places, and she was laden with bags and waterskins. Dropping several of the bags, she ran forward and threw her arms around Quilla. “Oh gods, I’ve been so worried about you.”

Quilla hugged her back, and they maintained it for some time.

Eventually, Annai stepped back. “You look terrible though.”

Quilla scowled. It’s not like they gave me a chance to bathe.

“Oh, no. Of course not. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”

It’s okay.

“Sorry, I also can’t do the head speaking thing. I’ve tried, but it won’t work. I can hear you, but… Vern says the bond isn’t as strong with me. She can still defend me though. You should have seen what she did to some of the Darkers that tried to stop us getting here. It was…” Annai gulped, and Quilla felt momentary disgust from her. “Well, not pleasant. I’m sorry. I’m babbling, aren’t I?”

Quilla nodded.

Vern came up beside Annai and put an arm around her shoulders. “Annai.” She pointed with her other hand.

Annai turned her head in the direction Vern was pointing and her eyes widened.

Jakka bowed deeply. “Your Highness, you are a sight for sore eyes.”

Annai’s hands shot to her face, as she gasped. “Jakka?”

Jakka bowed again.

Tears were forming in Annai’s eyes. “I...I thought you were dead.”

“Never, your Highness. I live as ever to serve you.”

Quilla rolled her eyes, and even though Annai wasn’t looking at her, Annai elbowed her in the ribs.

Then Annai ran forward and hugged Jakka, practically smothering him. When they separated a moment later, she held up her nose. “You stink though.”

“Whereas you, your Highness, are as lovely and beautiful as ever.”

“Oh, don’t be silly. I’m a mess. I look awful.”

Jakka held up his hands. “Perhaps the ‘as ever’ is a bit of an exaggeration, but your mess is far less than mine. Compared to me, you are an angel.”

Vern nudged Quilla. Why don’t we give them a little privacy?

With a smile, Quilla nodded.

“Oi, you two!” Vern called. “We should get back to camp. Quilla and I will go ahead to scout. You two follow about a minute behind. Annai knows the way. Oh, Annai, water?”

Annai took one one of the waterskins on her and tossed it to Vern, who then handed it to Quilla.

Then Vern took Quilla’s hand and led her into the woods.

“I know what you’re doing!” Annai called after them.

Vern merely laughed.

Is it safe? Quilla asked.

After the damage I did getting to you, I think so. They’ll be trying to regroup, but it will take them awhile. Don’t worry. I won’t let them get far enough behind that I can’t run to their rescue if they need it. “It’s going to take awhile to get to camp. This might be a good time to talk if you want.”

Quilla removed the cap from the waterskin and took a swig. Then she nodded.

They walked in silence for a while. There was a sense of...confusion? Yes, confusion. Recognising another person’s emotions was taking some getting used to. There was a sense of confusion coming from Vern and she remained silent. Eventually, Quilla glared at her.

Embarrassment now. “Sorry. Just getting my thoughts in order. You know, it’s ridiculous. I’ve spent the last several days planning what to say to you, and now we’re here, I don’t know where to start.”

How about the part where you’re a fucking Volg?

“Right.” Vern took a deep breath. “Well, I mean, you know that part. You see, female Volgs look like humans—most of us, at any rate. There are a few outliers. My name is Morstraime, daughter of Emclenim of the Warrior Caste. I’m part of an organisation called the Arcraime, which is made up entirely of girls and women. Our purpose is to infiltrate human society and...spy on them basically.”

And your sister?

“I didn’t lie there. Every now and then a member of the Arcraime goes rogue. It actually happens somewhat frequently. We...we live a hard life. But when it happens it brings shame and dishonour to the family, particularly the father. Ten years ago, my sister, Lacquaime, went rogue. If the carcraime—that’s what a rogue Arcraime is called—has any sisters, it becomes their sole duty to hunt her down and kill her. That becomes our…” She sighed. “My life’s quest. The only way my father can ever regain his honour is if either he or I kill Lacquaime. That almost never happens. The family live out the rest of their lives in dishonour. So you see, I didn’t lie to you. I just—”

Quilla rounded on her. Fuck you, Vern. You left out information. That’s still a kind of lie.

“I suppose it is, and I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

Vern held out her hand to Quilla, but Quilla backed away. Forgive, no way. Not right now.

Vern lowered her head. The emotions coming from her were a jumble and Quilla couldn’t quite make out what each one was. How the hell did Felitïa manage this? Oh gods, she had to stop thinking about Felitïa.

Was that a hint of amusement from Vern? Stop reading my thoughts.

“You’re broadcasting them. I can’t help it. Sorry. I love you, Quilla. I’ve only ever loved one person before and never thought I would again, but it’s true. I love you. What do I have to do regain your trust?”

Quilla scowled and looked behind them. Annai and Jakka weren’t far back. She could just sense...excitement?...something from Annai. We should keep moving before they catch up?

Vern nodded and resumed walking.

Quilla followed alongside her. How close does Annai need to be before she can hear our thoughts?

“Just a few feet. Don’t worry. The most she’ll get right now is strong emotion.”

Good. Forgiveness is going to be a long time coming, Vern.

“I understand that. I—”

No, you don’t. You don’t know what I’ve been through at the hands of Volgs. You—

Vern rounded on her, reaching out.

Quilla backed into a tree. Don’t you fucking touch me!

Vern backed up a step, digging her fingers into her palms. She hissed, “Don’t you dare tell me I don’t understand! You have no idea what I’ve been through, what every warrior caste girl goes through. Do you want to know how often I didn’t have at least one bruise, black eye, or broken bone while growing up? The answer is never. Got that? Never!” She advanced on Quilla again, and waved a finger in front of Quilla’s face.

I said, don’t touch me!

“I’m not.” Vern backed away again.

But you very nearly did. You want my forgiveness? That’s exactly how you’ll never get it.

“I’m sorry. I—”

Don’t you dare say you love me. If you did, you wouldn’t do something like that.

Vern looked at her, her face quivering, tears forming in her eyes. The emotions from her were a jumble. Anger? Embarrassment? Both? Others? Quilla couldn’t make heads nor tails of them.

“They’re catching up again,” Vern said, her voice cracking. She turned and continued walking.

Quilla waited a moment before catching up.

“Do you want me to go? If you do, I will. As soon as I get you safely off this island, I’ll end the bond and go. I promise. Just say the word.”

Quilla didn’t answer immediately. The truth was, she wasn’t really sure, and… Shit. Vern was probably hearing these thoughts.

“Yep, I am. Sorry. But I understand your confusion. I’m a fucked-up person, Quilla. You’d probably be right to get rid of me.”

Why can’t I hear your ever thought the way you hear mine?

“I’ve done these bondings before. I know how to keep my mind closed and only send out what I want. You’ll figure it out in time. I can help if you want. But only if you ask. I won’t force anything on you.”

Gods damn it, Vern! I don’t know. I just don’t know right now. Did she love Vern? A part of her did, and that terrified her. Vern was exactly what she’d said: fucked up. Bad news. She should really send her packing.

But she was also only free because of Vern.

And she would likely only stay free because of Vern as well.

Unless she went to Felitïa.

Fuck.

She didn’t want to do that, but Felitïa had a way of staying free. Felitïa was really her only hope.

“I could help you get to her,” Vern said. “Then, once you’re there, I can go. You’ll never see me again.”

With a sigh, Quilla stopped walking, took Vern’s hand, and pulled her closer to her. She kissed her.

The jumble of emotions from Vern vanished, replaced by… Elation? Lust? “I wasn’t expecting that, but I like it.”

Quorge, Quilla said. You have until then to prove to me I can trust you. Otherwise, you’re gone after that. No, worse. I’ll turn you over to Felitïa as an enemy. Got it?

Quilla was pretty sure the new emotion from Vern was fear. It sure felt like fear. Vern nodded. “Got it.”

And if you want to prove I can trust you, you will never—ever—lay your hands on me the way you almost just did.

“I won’t. I promise. It was my anger and I—”

Get your anger under control.

“I will.”

It’s going to take a lot more than that to convince me, but that is a necessity.

“I understand.”

You better. Quilla kissed her again.

Jakka and Annai came into sight, pushing through the underbrush. “So that’s why you took Quilla with you,” Jakka said with a laugh. “I would have thought you’d want to scout on your own, but now I understand.”

“Caught us red-handed,” Vern said.

Quilla stepped back, trying to look coy. It was best Annai and Jakka—especially Jakka—not be aware of the issues between her and Vern.

“I told you what they were up to,” Annai said.

Jakka laughed. “I know, but I had to say something.”

“Watch it, little man,” Vern said. “There’s only so much teasing I can take.”

Jakka held up his hands defensively. “I’ll take it easy on you. I promise.” He lowered his hands and strode forward. “Now, shall we get to this hideout of yours?”

With a nod, Vern led the rest of the way through the woods.

* * * * *

“No, this is unacceptable. We have to go to Collogia.” Jakka was seated on the tree root with his fingers linked in front of his face, his head slightly bowed.

“The decision’s already made, Jakka,” Vern said.

“You don’t have the authority for that.”

“Authority? And who does? We have our own people trying to kill us. We’re beyond authority now.”

“At the moment, I’m the authority,” Jakka said, “and I’m telling you, we’re going to Collogia. We have to.”

Quilla glared at him. Tell him he can agree or we’ll gut him and go without him.

Annai gasped. “No, you can’t!”

Quilla sighed. I wouldn’t really. I’m just telling her to scare him a little.

“Oh.” Annai looked away sheepishly.

Jakka eyed them all.

I think you’ll find Jakka doesn’t scare easily, Vern said.

“I’d say I’d stunned you with my words,” Jakka said, “but somehow I doubt that.”

“We’re just conferring,” Vern said.

“Yes, and it’s very disconcerting when you do it that way.”

“Good.” With a chuckle, Vern knelt in front of him. “We’re just debating whether to just leave you behind or kill you so you can’t tell anyone where we’re off to.”

Jakka laughed, though it sounded forced. “You won’t kill me.”

“You think I’m incapable?”

“Oh, I think you’re very capable, but..” He nodded in Quilla and Annai’s direction. “They won’t let you.”

“They won’t be able to stop me.”

Jakka looked Vern in the eyes. “Then do it.”

“Enough!” Annai yelled. “We’re supposed to help each other, not kill each other. We might as well just hand ourselves over to the Volgs in that case!”

Vern stood up slowly and backed away.

Jakka grinned up at her. “See?” He looked to Annai. “Thank you, your Highness. As wise as always.”

“Jakka, just tell us why we have to go to Collogia,” Annai said. “Please.”

He smiled at her, then stood up, approached her and bowed low. “Believe me, your Highness, if I could, I would. All I can tell you is it has to do with a passage in the Collogaän.”

“The what?”

“Collogaän. It’s a book. A very important book.”

“I’m sorry, Jakka, but that’s not very convincing. Unless you can tell us more…”

Jakka shook his head. “I’m sorry, your Highness. I took an oath. Very few people get the privilege of reading the Collogaän, and we are strictly forbidden from revealing what we’ve read.”

“But you can still tell us we have to go to Collogia,” Vern said. “How convenient.”

Jakka did not look at Vern, but just put his hands on his chest and addressed Annai. “I wish I could tell you, your Highness. I truly do. Please, just believe me. It’s for all our benefits that we go to Collogia as planned.”

Vern grabbed his shoulder and spun him round to face her. “It’s pretty easy to tell us. Just open your fucking mouth and speak. You do it all the time. Maybe make it worthwhile this time.”

Jakka’s eyes narrowed. “Threaten me all you want, Veronique. I won’t tell you.”

Vern shoved him and he fell back into Annai, who caught him and held him against her.

“Thank you, your Highness,” he said.

Vern threw up her arms and started gathering up the packs lying on the forest floor. “Fine. Quorge it is then. One thing I haven’t had a chance to tell you or Quilla is that on our way to free you, we learned a few things from the Servants in our way. They were pretty eager to tell me things, probably to stop me crushing their skulls. The embargo in Arnor City has been lifted, so we’re heading back there, where we’ll find a ship and sail to Beldrum.” She slung a pack over her shoulder and walked up to Jakka. “And there is no way in hell we’re telling Ulises we’re there, got it?”

Jakka scowled at her. “You’re making a big mistake, Veronique.”

“I don’t care.” She turned away from him and approached Quilla, handing her one of the packs she was carrying. “You know, I only came for you. We should have left him back in that fucking cave.”

Quilla looked at Jakka, whom Annai was still holding protectively. A part of her agreed with Vern, but the other part of her could never leave anyone in those conditions with the Volgs. Even a Darker, something she hated that she had to keep reminding herself both Vern and Jakka were. She slung the pack Vern had handed her over her shoulder. Let’s just go. Annai, he comes with us or we leave him behind. She wanted to walk away, but she only had the vaguest idea which way to go, so she waited for Vern to lead.

They’d barely started moving when Jakka called out, “I’ll tell Quilla.”

Quilla stopped and looked back.

Jakka walked forward, patting down the fresh parka Vern had given him to wear. He looked Quilla in the eyes. “But only you.”

Quilla stared at him. Surely he knows I’ll just tell the two of you right after.

“She’ll tell us afterwards,” Annai said.

“So you might as well just tells us as well,” Vern added.

Jakka clasped his hands behind his back and shook his head. “There is a way I can justify telling her without breaking my oath, but not you two. If she decides to tell you afterwards, that’s up to her. She’s never taken the oath. I, however, have, and I will not break it. Take it or leave it.”

Quilla rolled her eyes and nodded to Vern and Annai. We’ll catch you up.

Vern groaned loudly. I don’t like this. She waved a finger in front of Jakka’s face. “Lay one finger on her and…”

Jakka grinned broadly. “I’m not stupid, Veronique. You would rip me apart, and there would be little I could do to stop you. Besides, I have no desire to harm the Catalyst. We may not agree on how best to help her, but I am truly doing what I believe is best for her.”

“Fine. Annai, let’s go.”

Jakka bowed as Annai passed him. “I will see you again shortly, your Highness.”

When Vern and Annai were out of sight, Jakka went back over to the tree root he’d been sitting on earlier. “You’ve been very quiet,” he said as he sat. “In fact, you haven’t said a word since we were rescued. Not out loud at any rate. I’m aware you’ve been communicating with the other two. I was surprised to learn Annai is part of the bond. I wasn’t aware Veronique could bond more than one at a time.”

Quilla just glared at him. Now that she’d had some water, her throat wasn’t as hoarse, but the truth was, she just didn’t feel like talking right now, especially not to Jakka. He had tried to help her in the cave—that was true—but as she had reminded herself a few moments ago, he was a Darker. She couldn’t trust his motives for helping her.

“Still not going to say anything?”

She didn’t even shake her head and just continued glaring. He’d get the point.

“Fine, you want me to get to the point. Very well. As you may have gathered, we—as in the Servants of Sunset—are preparing for a new Dusk Supreme. The current one’s time is running out. He knows it and is trying to avoid his fate. He’s been in hiding for some time, trying to run things from behind the scenes, but his death is inevitable. Too many sources point to it being the case.”

She sighed. That was the most audible noise he was going to get out of her. Maybe he would actually get to the point.

He cleared his throat. “Right. To the point. There are several candidates for the next Dusk Supreme, including your sometime husband, Dyle Aderman. What none of them, including Mister Aderman, realise is that none of them will be the next Dusk Supreme. At least, not according to the Collogaän, and it has never been wrong in its predictions. I won’t tell you who it says it will be. That’s more than I can justify. But it does mention some others who will be there. Do you want to know who?”

He was really determined to get her to speak, wasn’t he? She didn’t give him the pleasure.

He smirked. “Obviously, one of them is you.”

She shrugged. That was hardly surprising.

“More accurately, it says the Catalyst will be, but seeing as you are undeniably the Catalyst, it essentially says you will be. But I can see you’re not impressed. Perhaps you’ll be more interested in who else it says will be there.”

She wanted to cross her arms in front of her chest dramatically, but they were already crossed there, so she settled for a scowl.

“It says your son will be.”

She sighed.

“Once again, it technically mentions the Child of the Volgs, but seeing as—”

“Get to the fucking point!”

“So you can still speak.”

That had been stupid, but he’d pulled just the right strings. Oh well. She couldn’t go on never speaking anyway. “Please get to the point.”

“Your son is about to be captured and taken to Collogia. Might even have happened already. If you go to Quorge, you won’t be reunited with him.”

Corvinian in Collogia? After everything they’d done to find him, he was going to be caught again? No, it couldn’t be. “The Volgs had a prophecy that they were going to kill him in Ninifin last year.”

“And they were wrong.”

“And maybe your prophecy is wrong too.”

“As I said, the Collogaän has never been wrong.”

“There’s a first time for everything. How do I know you’re even telling the truth?”

Jakka slapped his thighs and stood up. “You don’t, but can you afford to take that risk?”

“I take just as much risk going to Collogia and finding out you were lying the whole time.”

He shrugged.

“So tell me, if this is true, how is it you can tell me and not break your vow?”

“Clever interpretation of the exact words of the oath. That’s all I can say.”

She forced a laugh. “Not very convincing, I’m afraid.”

He grinned. “I didn’t really expect it would be. But I had to find a way to tell you something. Let me try a different approach. If you don’t go to Collogia, things will happen that will cause even more squabbling between the Servants. Your son will be in grave danger, especially if the Volgs get involved. Eventually, someone will get their hands on the Collogaän and they will learn what it says and they will be very incensed. They will come after you, and they’ll use your son to get to you.”

“Sounds like I should go to Quorge then. It’s the safest option.”

He shook his head sadly, and placed a hand on her shoulder, which she pushed away. With a nod, he stepped back. “That is, ultimately, your choice. But it’s one you will regret.”

“You’re so full of shit.” She turned from him and walked away. Nothing he said was going to make her turn back.

“I truly am trying to help you, Quilla.”

She didn’t reply.

“Well, at least I got you talking.”

She still didn’t reply and kept walking. He could follow if he wanted. She didn’t care. She needed to catch up to Vern and Annai. They needed to know what he’d said.

* * * * *

Do you believe him? Vern asked.

I was about to ask you the same question, Quilla said.

She, Vern, and Annai were walking along the road towards Arnor City. To their left, the sound of the surf crashing on the shore almost drowned out the howling wind. It was bitterly cold, but Quilla was really starting to enjoy the cold.

Jakka trailed along a short distance behind them. They had given him the heaviest packs to carry while they conferred amongst themselves. Given he was small and not very strong, it was amusing to glance back every now and then and see him struggling to keep up.

I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him, Vern said. Which, admittedly would be pretty far if it was in defence of you, but… Annai, thoughts?

“You’re actually asking me?” Annai said.

Vern shrugged. I figured you’re the most likely to believe him.

Annai glanced back at Jakka. “Well, I don’t.”

Really? Vern said.

Annoyance flashed from Annai as she glared at Vern. “Yes, really. Sure, I like him. Sort of. He...he’s nice to me.”

Vern laughed. And you think he’s sincere?

“I don’t know. Maybe. Probably not, but I don’t care. I like the attention, all right? I just…” A jumble of emotions flooded from her. Some, Quilla recognised now—embarrassment, annoyance, lust—but there were several others that were hard to identify. Was one of them nostalgia? Longing?

It’s all right, Vern said. I don’t mean to tease. Well, I guess I kind of do, but I’m sorry for that. I get it. You’re used to being pampered and it must be hard being away from that.

“Yes. I think.” Confusion was pouring from Annai now. It was clear she didn’t know what to make of Vern’s statements.

I think it’s pretty clear none of us really trust Jakka, Vern said. I say we go to Quorge. We’ll get a ship in Arnor City to Beldrum, then continue overland.

Wouldn’t sailing to Porthaven be faster? Quilla asked.

It would, but that’ s the route they’ll expect us to take. It may take longer, but Beldrum will be the safer route. Agreed?

“Agreed,” Annai said.

Going to Beldrum instead of Porthaven was going to drastically increase the travel time, but what Vern said made sense, so Quilla nodded and smiled. Agreed. She was glad there was no disagreement between the three of them. That left Jakka powerless. He could spew his bullshit all he wanted. She would be reunited with Corvinian in Quorge.