“I trust you had a full night’s sleep?” Servilia asked as Cross came to a stop in front of her desk.

Cross nodded, rubbing some sleep from his eyes. “I could have left last night and slept on the train, you know?”

“I prefer you to be alert and awake while you have the package. If you want to sleep, do it once the job it done.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Cross held out his hand and Servilia passed him the envelope. He weighed it in his hands. It was light. “Where to?”

"Vinth."

"Vinth." Cross tilted his head. "That's only two or three days away. Posters couldn't handle it?"

"Apparently not. You'll be pulling in quite a nice payment for this."

“Ah, so it’s like that?”

“Yes, it’s like that.”

"Understood. Courier Cross, package accepted. Estimated delivery: two days."

"Noted," Servilia nodded. "Do try to stay out of trouble this time. My filing really is beginning to pile up, I don't relish any more paperwork.

"It's not like I go looking for it.”

“All the same, try to be safe. Do it as a favor to your big sis, okay?”

Cross faltered, his eyes falling down to the envelope in his hands for a moment. “Yeah…”

“Cross?” Servilia peered up at him from his desk when he made no effort to move. “Is there something else?”

“I…” Cross’s brow furrowed and he nodded, but said nothing. After a few more moments he finally found his voice. “I kind of… realized something…when I was on the mission.”

“Oh?”

“Alice… Alice never bought into the whole family thing. She would joke about it, but you could tell, if you really listened to her. I don’t think she ever thought of us as family. It’s like she was always keeping everyone just out of reach.”

“Yes, I believe so too.”

“But you weren’t like that.” Cross said abruptly. “You… you were like a real sister to me, Servilia. You took care of me, you taught me, you helped me so much and I… I never really paid attention like I should have. I took it for granted. Just like with mom. I never thanked you for… for so many things.”

“Cross…”

“I just… I wanted you to know that I, uh, I’m glad you’re my sister and that I, well you know, I love you.”

Servilia slowly rose out of her seat and made her way around the desk. Cross shrunk back slightly as she approached him. She lifted up her arms.

“What?”

“Come here.” Servilia said, pulling him close and wrapping him in a tight embrace.

“We don’t have to-”

“Shut up, Cross. You’re going to ruin the moment.” Servilia hushed him as she pulled him even tighter, pressing her face into his shoulder.

Cross hesitated for a moment, before he lifted his arms up and gripped Servilia tight, resting his cheek against the top of her head.

“I love you too,” Servilia said softly. “Even if you are a little brat that causes me far too much trouble.” She gave him one final squeeze before stepping away, her delicate hand coming up to wipe away a stray tear. “I must say, I didn’t expect to ever hear that from you.”

Cross looked at the floor. “…Yeah.”

“Well, off you go then.” Servilia returned to her desk. “Come home safe.”

Cross gave her a small nod. “Will do.”

He started to make his way towards the door when the soft clink of a teaspoon against a glass caught his attention. He tilted his head to find Jiana staring at him, a large smile on her face. With a slight dip of her head, she motioned him over.

“Anything you would like to share?”

Cross shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Not really.”

“I see.” She sipped her tea. "Not going to wait for Alexis and the others to return?"

Cross shook his head as he slid the envelope into the pouch on side and secured it shut. "Probably not. It'll take them a few days to get back, at least. I'm betting longer if the military wants to interrogate them."

"I expect they will. Alexis gave a brief report to Servilia and it sounds like quite the ordeal. It's a shame you were not able to stay, I know how much you like spiders.

Cross made a face. "Of course. Can't get enough of them."

Jiana smiled. "Leaving now?”

"Yeah."

"You said two days. I believe it is three days to Vinth."

Cross shook his head. "I'll take the overnight carriage to Curan, then rent a horse or walk the rest of the way. If I cut through the Galry forest I can make it to Vinth before nightfall. Two days.

"Are you sure you want to test your luck in a forest again? You don't seem to get particularly good results when you attempt to take shortcuts." Jiana brought the cup back to her lips to hide her smile.

"I think I did a pretty decent job the last time."

"You were quite tardy."

"Yes, but there were… Circumstances."

"I know, but be safe all the same," Jiana smiled gently at his weak scowl. "A mother worries."

Cross sighed and gave a small nod. "I'll be careful."

"Good." Jiana's eyes rose up to look at the clock. "The morning carriage leaves within the hour. You should get moving or you'll be late."

"And here I thought I was having a pleasant conversation with my mother."

"Mother first, Guild Mistress second, now get moving," Jiana said, waving him off with her hand. "And remember your phoenix stone this time."

"Yeah, I got it.” He held the stone between two of his fingers he half-heartedly waved over his shoulder as he exited the guild.

xXx

The morning air was crisp enough to take his breath away in a puff of steam and Cross quickly lifted his scarf up to cover his face. As he made his way to the carriage station he considered returning back to the guild for a pair of gloves and a heavier coat but he could already see the coachman of the carriage puling himself into position and calling out to the horses.

"Right, then," Cross said as he approached the driver. Rising a hand, he caught the man's attention.

"How far?" the driver called down.

"Curan." Cross pulled out a silver coin and tossing it up to the driver. The man caught it deftly and held it up to his eye for a moment before nodding his head.

The inside of the carriage was empty, which was a bit unusual for a morning carriage, but Cross wasn't going to complain. The less people the better. With no one to take up the space it meant he would be able to stretch his legs out along the bench and take a long nap. He felt a slight twinge of guild as Servilia’s disapproving face ran through his mind, but he was able to push it away with a little effort. He had just closed his eyes when the door to the carriage opened and a blast of cold air filled the coach. Cross shivered and pulled his coat tighter around his body as a hooded figure pulled their way into the carriage and shut the door behind them. Cross cracked his eye open as the newcomer took the bench across from Cross and settled in quietly.

The coachman slammed his fist against the carriage as a warning and spurred the horses into action. Cross slowly shut his eye and again fell into an easy sleep, rocked by the gentle movement over the cart over the well-traveled road. He wasn't sure how long he slept, but it was still far from enough when he felt the phoenix stone begin to vibrate. With a groan he reached down and pulled it from his pocket, letting his hand fall down to the floor with the tiny stone clutched between his fingers.

"What?" Cross kept his voice low.

"Were you sleeping?" Lexi asked.

"Why?"

'It's almost sundown. Even you can't be that lazy."

"I wasn't." Cross cracked his eye open and noted the distinct lack of sunlight. "Home?"

'Not yet. We just finished with the Voy military, now we are waiting to deal with the Dumas representatives.'

"Government. Fun." Cross yawned.

'Quite. You are headed to Vinth?'

"Curan first. Then Vinth. I'll be back by the weeks end."

'Good.'

"Mmmm"

'Well… Good luck, Cross.'

"You too." Cross pulled his arm free and slowly sat up. Off in the distance he could see the last rays of the setting sun. "And good work on your first official job, Lex. Sorry I couldn't be part of it"

'Don't worry. You'll be part of the next one. Though Banksy said he would like a break before we do anything else.'

"Well, that's your call, though I wouldn't mind one either."

'Perhaps a break would be nice. Ah, the Dumas representative have arrived.'

"Don't keep the nobles waiting, Princess."

Cross smiled as the connection ended and sat up with a small grunt. Rubbing at his face he looked over at the other passenger. She had removed her hood and was staring blankly out the window. She turned to look at Cross.

"Sleep well?"

"Could have been better," Cross said as he leaned his head against the window. The glass was cool and his breath fogged the glass.

"It's going to be a cold winter, it seems," she said. "They say first snow will fall within the week."

"Do they?" Cross said. He glanced up at already dark sky. "Dumas?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Are you from Dumas?"

"I was born there, but I have lived in Voy most of my life. How did you know?"

"Accent. My… friend, he's from Dumas. Pretty good at recognizing the accent, even if it's faint."

"I see," she leaned forward and held out her hand. "Avril."

"Cross," he took her hand. She had a firm grip and lightly callused hands.

"You're heading to Vinth?" she gave a timid smile. "Sorry, I couldn't help but hear."

"Cross nodded. "Mhmm."

"I hope you don't mind my asking, but how will you get there within two days? I thought it took three, or four days travel at least?"

"Looking to visit?"

Avril smiled. "Not any time soon, but I admit I am very curious. I am not overly fond of travel. Being alone on the road makes me somewhat nervous so the quicker I can reach my destination the better. Forgive me for asking if it is too bothersome."

"No, it's fine." Cross waved her off. "Though if you don't like traveling alone, I don't think my route is going to do you much good."

"Oh?" Avril tilted her head, her ash blonde hair cascading loosely down her shoulder.

"The carriage routes go around the Galry forest. That's what adds on the extra day. If you cut straight through the forest you can make it in less than a day."

"Isn't it dangerous?" Avril asked, her eyes growing wide. "Kilkraths live there."

"They aren't too bad. If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone… Mostly," Cross reached down and rubbed his leg. "Plus, it is winter so they're much more relaxed. The real danger is getting lost. There isn't a path through the Galry really. There are some markers, but if you don't know what you're looking for it's really easy to get turned around."

"I see. Well, I don't think I will be taking that route then. It is interesting though… I never would have thought to go through the forest. You must travel quite a bit to know about it."

Cross tapped the leather pouch strapped to his side. "Courier. Time is gold and our Master really loves gold."

"I think most people do." Avril smiled. "So, you're in a guild. It wouldn't happen to be the Sleeping Dragon, would it?"

Cross's eyebrow went up. "It would."

Avril waved her hands quickly. "Sorry, I hope that didn't seem strange. Your guild is the only one that I know of that is still active around here. The only other one I can think of off the top of my head is… is it called Setting Sun?"

"Rising Sun." Cross corrected. "They're located more south, though."

"I see… Have you been in the guild long?"

"My entire life."

"Oh?"

Cross nodded "The Mistress of the guild adopted me. Kinda just fell into place that way after that."

"I see." Avril's left hand drifted to her lap. "Do you think more guilds will be appearing soon, with the sudden surge in magic?"

"Probably. Helps that we're still active right now. First crack at all the clients."

"It’s still markets itself as a magic guild, doesn’t it? Do you have any abilities?" Avril asked, her eyes lighting up with interest.

Cross reached up and tapped his temple. "Clairvoyance."

"Oh?" Avril shifted in her seat slightly. "I'm afraid I don't know much about that."

"I don't really either," Cross said. "Sometimes I see things, sometimes they happen, most of the time they don't."

"I'm sure you're just being modest."

Cross smiled but said nothing and gave a small shrug.

"I'm sure you get this all the time but… Can you tell me my future?"

"Sadly, I'm not that kind of Seer, really. Sorry." Cross tilted his head. "Though I do know we're almost to the first stop."

Avril opened her mouth to speak when the driver knocked three times and the carriage began to slow down.

"Clairvoyance?" Avril asked.

Cross tapped his nose. "Smell. There is a bakery in Brunes that specializes in cinnamon, town always smells like it. This is your stop. You should visit in the morning."

"I'll do that," Avril said before pausing. "I don't believe I told you I was getting off in Brunes."

Cross smiled and leaned back in his seat, resting his head against the window. "Did you not?"

Avril hesitated for a moment before letting out a laugh as the carriage came to a stop. "Well, it has been wonderful talking to you, Mr. Cross. I wish you safe travel on the rest of your trip to… Curan… And then to Vinth?"

"Through the Galry forest." Cross nodded.

"I will keep that in mind if I ever find myself going that way," Avril said as she exited the carriage. "Goodbye!"

She waited on the road as the carriage pulled away, a smile on her face as she waved her hand gently. As soon as the carriage drifted out of sight her hand fell down to her side and the smile slipped from her face. Reaching into her pocket she pulled out a phoenix stone and held it tightly in her fist.

'Avril?'

Despite the late hour Avril was still unprepared for the overwhelming weariness that hung in the Queen's voice.

"My Queen, I am sorry for contacting so late."

'Have you found him?' Cassandra asked, ignoring Avril's concern.

"Yes. I have."

She heard Cassandra suck in a deep breath.

'Are you sure?'

"I am. He has the Sight. He is the proper age and… He… He looks as I would expect."

'He did not suspect you?'

"No, my Queen."

'Good. Good.' Cassandra was silent for a long time and Avril was just about to speak when the Queen let out a long sigh. 'Avril?'

"Yes, my Queen?"

'Return to the Capital.'

Avril nearly recoiled. "What?"

'I am rescinding your mission.'

"Canceling?"

"Yes. I never should have asked this of you. It never should have been an option in the first place. I have made a mistake. The order is withdrawn. Return home."

"But…"

"The order is withdrawn, Avril." Cassandra snapped, her voice sharp as a whip. "Return to the Capital at once."

Avril was silent for a long time, the bitter cold whipping at her clothing and her head ducking slightly. Slowly she nodded. "As you command, my Queen."

With numb fingers Avril let the stone fall to the ground before lifting up her boot and stomping on it with a snarl. As the gem shattered beneath her heel, she let out a low whistle and Moon came trotting out from the darkness. Taking in a deep breath Avril let her hand fall down to the comforting grip of her pistol.

"I will protect you, my Queen. Even if it is from yourself."