VIII

Shunavar was nearing the coast, and the terrain in these parts had changed a great deal. What was desert far north of Aevalin receded into lush fields of grass, palm trees and sandy mountains.

Yoreno had known there were deserts to the north, but he didn’t know they were like this. There was something vast and epic about these lush plains, now. Like the plants and the sands had covered what had once been vibrant civilizations, now lost because of the Age of Darkness.

“I bet there’s treasure to be found all over out here,” Lev said. “Once we find Dantera and that damned assassin, maybe we can send some expeditions out this way. I would like to explore these lands further.”

Yoreno nodded absently.

“I wouldn’t be against that,” Dell said. “Still, there’s plenty to explore and rediscover in and around Aevalin. But out here… it’s like… it’s like an—“

“Untouched wilderness for adventurers to pluck the ripe fruits from,” Sorika said.

“You know,” Dell said flippantly, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you use that many words at once before, Sor.”

She smacked him on the upper arm.

“Thank you, I had an itch just there.”

Sorika glanced at Dell with a sidelong look.

They were riding through the hills now, passing trees and streams and fields of crops. Further to the north were the mountains, and as Yoreno had said earlier, would certainly take them a few days to reach.

And then maybe they would find Dantera.

Yoreno hopped so.

The damn fool.

She should have allowed him to go with her in the first place. He was her protégé. Nothing changed that—not even being banished from the kingdom.

After the king’s assassination, Dantera had left during Princess Neslyn’s coronation ceremony. Yoreno had wanted to pursue her immediately, but with all her lands and titles having been bequeathed to him—unknowingly at that time—he couldn’t just leave the kingdom.

He had responsibilities to take care of her possessions. And they were hers. Yoreno had no want or belief that those titles were now legitimately his—not even if the queen acknowledged those things.

It had taken several weeks to get everything in order, but then Yoreno had left Yorinius in charge of the Roaming Lions and his father John to be the caretaker of her other assets.

There weren’t many, but there was a substantial parcel of lands and an impressive manor that had originally belonged to the Brennovos since before the Age of Darkness.

Yoreno’s father had no idea how he felt about it all and he was somewhat disappointed when John Brendara had set upon the title deeds with glee.

But at least Celine had had the heart to “confront Yoreno” privately. She had been quite surprised when he readily agreed with her thoughts on the matter—that her lands and other titles should be given back as soon as she regained her noble status.

“Hey,” Mai said. “Yoreno, are you all right?”

He looked at her. She smiled. “I’m fine,” he said. “Just thinking. About… all of it.”

“I know,” she said. “I think about it too—all the time. But it must be different for you since you’re her protégé—and since… all her family possessions went to you.”

“That was exactly what I was thinking about.” He smiled incredulously. “How did you know?”

Smiling again, she said, “I do read minds after all.”

That made him chuckle.

“Once we help her find the king’s assassins, and we—“

“Kill them?” Yoreno asked.

She nodded solemnly. “Once we return, what will you do?”

He paused for a long moment as their horses trotted long. Finally he looked at her and said. “I haven’t decided yet.”

Of course, he meant to give everything back to Dantera. The Roaming Lions, her lands and other deeds. It wouldn’t feel right keeping them.

“Really?”

Instead of answering her question, he simply smiled and winked. That made her smirk as she understood what he was intending to do.

“Well,” Lev said from behind, “if it was me, I would keep it all. Sure, make Dantera a caretaker or something. I mean, she lost it in the first place because of—“

“Shut up, Lev!” Dell said.

“Oh,” he said, genuinely taken aback. At least it looked that way. “Sorry, Yor.” His words were not flippant. He had realized the misstep his joke had made.

None of them blamed Dantera for the king’s death. Really, if she was to blame, then most of them were as well.

Of course, not Lev, since he hadn’t been involved in any capacity whatsoever.