The air crackled with fire magic.
Faust rose to his knees and stretched his senses. “A fire stone user is nearby.” He snatched his glasses and slipped them on in a rush.
Ignas snapped his fingers, and the small campfire fizzled out. He sat up and pulled Faust with him. “We need to hide in the trees.”
Faust grabbed his swords and satchel, stumbling alongside Ignas.
Ignas hustled up a tree and reached back for Faust.
Faust hauled himself up with Ignas’s help and settled among the dense leaves. No sooner than he settled did the sounds of hooves hit his ears.
The rider stopped and pitched the horse to ride in a circle.
Faust paused. The man wore fine clothes and a heavy cloak for a rider. He looked to Ignas. It didn’t sound like there were any other riders.
Ignas motioned for Faust to remain quiet and jumped from the tree.
The rider startled and reached under his cloak only to freeze. “M-My lord.”
“Is Earl nearby?” Ignas asked.
“He is,” the rider said. “Akarvine still won’t grant us clearance, and we’ve yet to receive word if we’ll be let into Haven. The Kingdom of Roltan is wary of us as usual,” he admitted. “Sir Earl dispatched the scouts when he saw the fighter crash. He was quite surprised.”
“We were surprised as well,” Ignas said. “We got caught in a nasty storm. Does Earl have room for two?”
“Always, my lord.”
Ignas turned back to the tree and raised his arms. “We’ll hitch a ride from Earl. It will cut our travel time.”
Faust dropped into Ignas’s waiting arms, basking in his warmth a small moment before he stepped back and straightened his clothes. He finished hooking his swords on his belt and gave the rider a curious stare.
“Are you Lord Arcus?” the rider asked.
“I am.” Faust smiled.
Ignas put an arm around Faust’s waist and pulled him closer, his eyes on the rider. “Lead the way. We plan on making our way to Haven in the morning.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
Faust shot Ignas a side-glance. There was more to this ‘My Lord’ business that Ignas wasn’t sharing with him. Mercenaries weren’t addressed as lords.
“I will explain when the time is right,” Ignas said.
Faust shook his head. He’d figure it out soon enough.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ignas handed Faust a glass of water and took a seat next to him on the wooden bench. “How are you feeling?”
“Relaxed.” Faust sipped at the refreshing water, enjoying the lively campsite. Music drifted through the air, and a rather elaborate dance circled the large campfire. “I had thought they would not want to be seen.”
“Only a fool would openly attack the Guild of Smithery.” Ignas motioned to the Volliare behind him. “We specialize in weapons, particularly ones that combat Volant.”
Faust downed the rest of his water to hide his grin.
Earl moseyed over to the pair. “Would you care to join us, Lord Arcus?”
Faust considered it, but with so many people present, it would be harder to hide that he was the prince if he got carried away with Ignas. “I think I prefer to rest. Landing the Volar was no easy task.”
Earl tipped his head in a respectful bow. “I apologize. I had not thought you would fly that model. The other would have been easier to fly. The ones with fire stone starters are meant for those of Windilum.”
“I am sorry if I ruined the Volar. Let me know how much it will cost, and I will send you the coin.”
A smile grew on Earl’s face. “There is no need. You ensured your safety and the safety of one of my guild members, that is payment enough.”
“Guild member,” Faust said with a sly grin.
Earl bowed with a knowing smile. “I prepared a suitable room for you inside the Volliare. I am certain Ignas can lead you to it.”
Ignas shook his head and offered a hand to Faust. “Shall we?”
Faust set his empty glass down and took the mercenary’s hand. “I do want to rest,” he said with a shake of his head.
“You wound me,” Ignas said. He led Faust into the Volliare and down a few stairs and hallways.
Faust glanced around, his hand intertwined with Ignas’s. The airship was far more advanced than the ones Emoris allowed for transportation between the cities. His brother’s airship paled compared to this as well. The wood was a bit darker with black and grey speckled along the planks. Nothing appeared old, the paint was crisp, and the metal wasn’t rusted. If this was how Volliare were meant to look, either Emoris or Lathil was keeping them weak on purpose—but Lathil never appeared like he did much of anything in the castle. All he did was go on expeditions. For what was never said.
Ignas stopped in front of a carved door. “You don’t need to worry so much.”
Faust looked up with a shake of his head, “You brought me information I am attempting to confirm,” he said with a frown. “If Lathil is the one in charge, then why has he not ordered his people after us?”
Ignas opened the door and ushered Faust inside. “There is much we don’t know about Lathil still. But one thing is certain: he wants people to trust Emoris and the fake rule they have in place.”
Faust closed the door behind him. “Then who is the rightful sovereign?”
Ignas shook his head. “We think Emoris and Lathil know, but we’ve made a few discoveries as of late. Earl may have it here.” He moved farther into the room and searched through a desk.
Faust took the moment to observe his new surroundings. The room carried a heavy warmth to it and held much of the same style as the tavern where he’d found Ignas. The furniture was much darker, but the fabrics were brightly colored and styled. The quarters were spacious, suggesting it was either an officer’s or captain’s suite. “Is this your room?”
“And what makes you think that? This is Earl’s Volliare.”
“It feels like you,” Faust said offhand.
“I am a higher-ranking guild member,” Ignas stated and pulled out a few papers from the desk. “I have a room in many places.”
Faust frowned. There was no way a simple guild member would have all these ties everywhere, and many called him my lord instead of Ignas. He supposed Ignas would admit it eventually. For now, he would give the mercenary his trust.
“You’ll want to read these yourself.” Ignas placed the papers on the desk.
Faust glanced over them. The record documented no ruler of Alios going back over two hundred years. The Kingsley line was raised to power not long ago. Their family started with his father, and there were no ties any further back. His father spoke of Faust’s grandfather a few times to Konrad, but it was always in hushed whispers. Records on their family were kept under lock and key any time Faust asked for them. “Why are you showing me this?”
“I thought you should be aware of it. Though, I suspect King Konrad already knows,” Ignas said. “We had hoped to confirm the matter with King Konrad through Earl, but Earl didn’t get to meet with him. We also suspect that Duke Easton has more evidence, but we have yet to get our hands on it.”