Back through the city we went, following on the courier’s heels as he wound us back out of the Hunter’s Guild. By the time we crossed the gate into the rest of Linead, I was starting to sweat. What was all of this about?

I tried to keep my thoughts quiet. Speculating wouldn’t help us. We’d find out soon enough…and then we’d deal with it. It was as simple as that.

Still, my heart beat a little quicker as we turned down the grand central road, the palace rising over it. Flags waved from either side of us, ensuring I couldn’t possibly forget for a second where we were. Sure, I’d been around the palace before, but…well, Avira always handled the business of the nobility. I’d never been needed.

There was a first time for anything, I supposed.

I went a bit clammy as we passed through the main doors, leaving us in a corridor shaped from smooth, polished stone, decorated with bits of gilt and splashed with color. This place was too nice for someone like me. Way, way too nice. I’d track mud in.

To my relief, the courier turned down a side hallway, veering us off the main track toward the royalty themselves. I exhaled, brightening again. Okay. So we weren’t dealing with the really important types here. I’d take the win, however small.

He opened the door to a side room instead, bowing, and gestured for us to enter. Avira gave him a nod, just a mite frosty, and strode in. I followed on her heels, shushing Nella as she swiveled her head and chirped at the shiny molding around the frame.

Inside, a trio of figures stood. I slowed, coming to a stop alongside Avira as I eyed them. The dark-haired man out front, I’d seen before—Minister Samriel, one of the king’s advisors. He’d come to the guild before. I winced. Normally to argue with Avira.

The other pair, though…A man and a woman, dressed in sturdy leather gear, clearly weathered from the road. Fabric draped off them in swathing waves, dyed in muted colors. I gave them a long look, my mind racing. They weren’t from around here, that much I could tell.

“Ah, thank you,” Samriel said, stepping forward with hands clasped. He wore the same simpering smile as always. The expression seemed tattooed onto his face. With a nod, the courier departed, and Samriel turned to Avira. “I do so appreciate your prompt response in such a trying time, Guildmaster.”

“I know that if you would call for us, knowing the difficulties the guild is under, then it is for a matter deserving our attention,” Avira said, smiling faintly herself. Her eyes were sharp, though. Could the minister see it? I hoped not. She nodded to the foreign pair, her eyes sweeping up and down them. “And how may the guild help our guests from Talmarn?”

Talmarn. The map in my mind yawned open, calling up what I knew about the name. It was another nation, I remembered, far to the southwest beyond Deldynne. Rocky. Not a very nice place. More than that…I swallowed, shaking my head, and turned my eyes back to the pair. I’d be learning a lot today, I supposed.

The man stepped forward, his movements quick and shaky. He bobbed his head down into something that kind of looked like a bow, but turned his gaze back on Avira. “Thank you for coming so quickly, ah-”

My guide held her hand out, her face still impassive. “Avira,” she said. “Guildmaster of the Hunter’s Guild. How may we help you?” Get on with it, I could almost hear her screaming.

The man clasped hands with her, shaking repeatedly. “Guildmaster,” he said. “My name is Aron. I’m here on behalf of Emperor Nabar. From Maurana.” He shook his head, his olive skin going grey. “That’s our-”

“Maurana, capital of Talmarn,” Avira said, not missing a beat. She released his hand, sitting back on her heels, and hooked her thumbs over her belts. “I’m familiar. Please continue, Master Aron.”

“Thank you,” Aron mumbled, rubbing at his eyes. “I apologize for my demeanor. This has been a- a difficult few months.”

“I completely understand,” Avira said. A crooked grin tugged at her lips.

“Something is wrong in Talmarn,” Aron said, letting his hands fall. He took a deep breath, straightening himself. “Strange creatures have appeared on our soils. One was spotted roaming by the shoreline. Another near the sea of sand. Another-”

“Creatures,” Avira said. Her eyes were narrowing, going more intense—and in the brazier-lit room, I could see the glow they cast across her tunic brighten. “What do you mean, creatures?”

Already, my heart was sinking. I could see where this was going, too. No more. Please, no more.

“You call them fiends, yes?” Aron said, waving a hand through the air. “We believe they are much the same. We don’t- We don’t have fiends. We don’t know how you classify them. They’re large, and strong. The soldiers we sent to clear the region found nothing but the carcasses of their prey, but the tracks they left…” He shook his head, his eyes darkening. “These were not small creatures, guildmaster.”

Fiends—outside Aradhen. I exhaled slowly, trying to get a hold of my own shock. Nella’s claws dug into my shoulder as she squirmed, sensing the tension in the air. I reached up, stroking at her shoulder, and she quieted.

Other countries didn’t have fiends, like Aron had said. That was what made Aradhen different from the rest. More isolated, from those who feared the monsters that lived here, and stronger, through the Hunter’s Guild that was born specifically to fight them. If they were appearing elsewhere…I slipped my hands into my pockets, refusing to acknowledge their quivering. That changed everything. And not in a good way.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Avira said, her voice soft. “I’m happy to provide our insight, however we can. Perhaps we can devise a strategy for your soldiers to-”

“They’re not trained to fight this,” Aron said, shaking his head furiously. “I heard from a farmer outside Silmere, who says he saw one of these fiends of yours. He said it stood tall as three men, with its whole skin just- just sturdy as stone. Thick as your arm. Our soldiers cannot handle that, mistress.”

Avira frowned, her brows furrowing. “Then…I’m sorry to hear about your plight, but I don’t understand what we can-”

“We need hunters,” Aron said, taking a step forward as she faltered. “We need warriors such as you, who know how to fight these creatures. We need to end this threat now, before any of Talmarn’s citizens are killed.”

I heard Avira let out a hiss, and glanced her way. Her eyes were tight, lines deeply etched on her forehead. “I’m sorry,” she said. “You’re welcome to place a contract, but our hunters are extremely busy right now, and-”

“W-We can’t afford that,” Aron said, falling back again. “Minister Samriel was kind enough to show us the current contracts. There’s- There’s no way. Not while also funding an expedition across such a distance.”

A flicker of exasperation flashed across Avira’s face. “We operate by contract, Master Aron. My thoughts are with your people, but I cannot-”

Minister Samriel took a step forward, still wearing that slimy smile. “It is His Majesty’s deepest desire that we find a solution amenable to all parties,” he murmured, taking her shoulder. “Surely we can find some means to help a nation that has long been our ally.”

Oh, so that was going to be the game. My anger spiked instantly—and I saw Avira slowly lift her head, staring straight at Samriel. He jerked back, releasing her shoulder as if burned. “My apologies,” I heard him whisper.

“I cannot send people that I do not have,” Avira said. She took a deep breath, and I saw her eyes dim as she brought herself back under control. “Again. I feel deeply for your plight. But even with proper compensation, it will be difficult to commit a team to such a journey. Without it-”

“We just need a few good hunters,” Aron said, his eyes going round. He was losing his chance, and he knew it. “Our mages aren’t suited to fights like this, either. Without your help-”

“Why don’t we discuss this further tomorrow?” Samriel said, sliding back in smoothly. “We’ve sprung this problem on the guildmaster. If we put our heads together and properly consider our options, I’m sure we can find a suitable answer.”

Avira sucked in a breath, but stopped herself, glaring out into open space. I was right there with her. We can put our heads together, and We can consider our options, was it? Only, the crown wouldn’t be doing a whole lot of consideration. The answer they wanted was clear. And they’d found a new bit of leverage to make Avira cooperate. I made a low, irritated noise, and Nella warbled sourly in response.

“Just so,” Avira said, instead of whatever else she’d been about to fire off. Her lips curled back into a polite smile. “I will…see what we can manage. And then-”

“Oh, thank you,” Aron said, clutching at Avira’s hand again. “I cannot tell you how much this means to us. My people will-”

Avira tried to pull her hand free, her expression going blank. “Really, now-”

“I cannot thank you enough,” Aron said, releasing her. “Thank you, guildmaster.”

I groaned. She hadn’t said yes—only how was she supposed to turn him down, now? We’d…We’d figure something out. Somehow. There’d be an answer.

“If you’ll excuse us, we have much we should do tonight still,” I murmured, recognizing the look in Avira’s eyes. Now was a really, really good time to get out of here. I took her elbow, steering her away, and thankfully, the others backed off.

“We’ll be in touch, then, guildmaster,” Minister Samriel said, bowing to Avira as she turned for the door.

She nodded in response, managing to keep a straight face somehow. “I look forward to it.” The lie came out with buttery smoothness.

But she said not a word as we strode into the hallway and out of the palace.