Rooks’ shuttle carried them over the sea to an open beach and field.

Meladee missed the entire view. She sat in the back, away from her friends and crossed her arms. Benham sat with her.

Benham leaned close to Meladee and whispered, “Why are we all the way back here?”

“Eh,” Meladee said by way of explanation.

Benham scrunched his nose but accepted it. “While I was doing the shuttle stock, I really missed you. That was lonely work.”

“Tell me about it. That used to be my entire job on the Rime Breaker – Inventory.”

Meladee never hated inventory. At first, it was all teenage Meladee could do on the Rime Breaker, and it had given her plenty of alone time to think about her screwed up life. Meladee credited her inventory duties with healing power. They took her from a moody, grieving teen to a fun, carefree adult.

Well, carefree-ish, Meladee admitted.

Benham shook his head. “I could not do inventory all day.” He blew out a soft, whistling breath.

Meladee shrugged. “Wasn’t so bad. I had to make sure we had all the food and medicine we needed. Cook and ship’s surgeon were always complaining to me. ‘I need new pots. How am I supposed to cook with these, if they ain’t even the right shape?” Meladee used a deep, mocking tone.

“You forgot nearly half the medicines I asked for,’” Meladee imitated another man’s voice. The surgeon, who she spoke for second, sounded far more agreeable.

Benham ruffled his hair. “Do me.” He smiled.

Meladee gave him a soft bop on the arm. “No. On top of inventory, I had to keep track of the salvage we brought aboard. Just picture this, we finally find something of interest in that great frozen sea, and I’m stuck there with a clipboard, never getting to do more than write the damn thing down in a list.”

Benham grinned. “I hope you didn’t find any Ah’nee’thits or Ul’thetoses.”

Meladee opened her mouth to answer but a quick glance forward showed Meladee that Rooks listened.

Rooks wore a small smile. She looked away.

Meladee froze. She thinks we’re cute or something. She probably thinks she did me a favor by saying she was the one who ordered the silence spell. I don’t know though. It just doesn’t feel right.

“Meladee?” Benham asked.

Meladee perked up. “Best thing we ever found was a spaceship part. Had to hand that over to some historians now that I think about it. Was real cool though. Sometimes, we found treasure and random little trinkets lost in the tides. But, mostly it was slag from shipwrecks and semi-intact boats. Worst thing we found...someone’s old underwear.” Meladee made a face.

Benham laughed. Again, he leaned close and lowered his voice. “Have you talked to the Commander about what happened with your decay shield and those Finial ships?”

Meladee shook her head. “Not more than you witnessed. Why would I?”

“She seems to be okay with you again. I thought you might have smoothed things over.”

Meladee put a hand on Benham’s cheek and held him still, so she could whisper in his ear. “She just thinks we’re lovey dovey.”

Benham pulled away far enough to look into Meladee’s eyes. “What does that even mean?”

With two fingers, Meladee made a hole and stuck another finger into it. She raised her eyebrows. “That and she probably takes some credit for it.”

Benham’s eyes narrowed. “What? Why?”

Oh shit. Time to apologize.

Meladee cupped her hands around Benham’s ear. “I made the silence spell without Rooks’ input. I did it ‘cause I’m a paranoid bitch. She only said what she did to keep you all on the side of Iruedim. And us together – as a side effect.”

Benham stiffened. He sat a little straighter and turned to face Meladee. He bit his lower lip. “I kind of figured,” he whispered.

Meladee stared with incredulity. He knew? He knew her. “You’re okay with it?”

Benham glanced around the shuttle. No one watched them, but everyone sat very quiet and still.

Benham gave Meladee a short nod and put a hand on her knee. “You like things slow. I’ll do slow.”

Damn. He might be a keeper.

The shuttle landed, and Camellia followed Rooks out. The castle loomed in the distance, but nearby, a row of mages greeted them.

Like an uneven row of trees, the mages’ heights yoyo’d up and down. First, was a Tagtrumian of average height. Followed by a dwarf. Then, a half-dwarf and a tall Tagtrumian. At the end of the line, Camellia was surprised to see a hunched Groazan.

Rooks stepped forward to speak with them. She called Alim forward and gestured for translation help. Camellia took a step, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cernunnos whisper to Eva. Both outpaced Camellia and readied themselves to assist Rooks.

Camellia frowned. Why did Cernunnos take her place? Was this the way he would win Rooks? He now spoke some Ganden, and Rooks spoke some Groazan. Camellia doubted it was enough to have a detailed conversation about complex medicine...or connect over a candlelit dinner.

Camellia stayed nearby and overheard some of what was said.

“We took the sample and recipe you sent.” A mage stepped forward with a box. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t create the anti-infectant from scratch. Instead, we used duplication spells to make more of the best sample.”

The mages handed one sample to Eva, and Eva brought it close to Alim. Together, they began a field test on the substance.

Camellia watched.

“They seem fine.” Adalhard drew close.

“Yes, they do. They certainly don’t need me to translate.”

“If Eva wasn’t there, they’d need you. They’re just not availing themselves of your skills, which is fine by me.” Adalhard put a gentle hand on her arm. “In fact, why don’t we take a short walk, just to those rocks. We’ll be near enough, but not so near that they’ll snatch you over.”

“How long are we going to be here?” Camellia turned to Adalhard and looked up. She wanted to take a walk, but only if Adalhard meant it. She watched his eyes for signs.

“Long enough for a walk. I believe Eva said the stop could take forty minutes. Come on.” Adalhard offered Camellia his arm, and she took it.

They strolled, aiming for a pile of boulders. Camellia glanced back and saw several men watch them leave. Rooks gave them a sidelong glance, but nodded that it was alright for them to go. With Rooks’ blessing, Camellia faced ahead. She checked on Adalhard and received a smile in return.

Adalhard avoided the loose sand and strolled onto harder ground, guiding Camellia. As they walked, Camellia wrapped both of her arms around Adalhard’s.

“That castle is quite the amalgamation of architecture,” Adalhard said.

Camellia gazed at the castle but only briefly. She didn’t look long enough to evaluate the architecture.

“Take a look.” With his free hand, Adalhard pointed.

Slowly, Camellia raised her head and looked at the castle. They strolled, and she examined the structure.

Camellia sighed. “Well, I recognize the boxy style of Tagtrum’s first wave of colonists, and it looks like their third wave contributed a handful of upper floors, considering the swirling parapets.”

“And…”

Camellia stopped. “Oh, a Groazan tower.”

The tall, pointed spire, covered in hundreds of gargoyles, rose from the very center.

Camellia stared. “I don’t know how I missed that.”

“To be fair, the bulk of it hides behind the entrance.” Adalhard paused their walk. He smiled. “And, you do have a rather different point of view…down there.”

“Oh,” Camellia huffed, with good nature.

Adalhard resumed their walk. He gently tugged Camellia back into motion. “The foundation of the castle is dwarven. And, most unexpected, you’ll see walkways, reminiscent of those in Eastern Ponk.” Adalhard pointed and traced an arch. “See the gates?”

Camellia nodded. She studied the castle and found both elements. “I wonder…”

“We’ll have to research it later,” Adalhard said. “Dragon’s Rock is its name. Apparently called so for the rock formation high on the cliffside. From sea, it’s supposed to resemble a dragon, though I doubt we’ll get the proper view.” Adalhard pointed to the rock.

With her eyes, Camellia followed his finger. She found the rock, but it didn’t look like a dragon. It was a big, lumpy thing and sat higher in the sky than the castle.

Camellia frowned. “How did you learn all this? I thought you said you didn’t know this place?”

“I took a mage aside and asked.”

“That’ll do it.” Camellia nodded.

A long pause followed.

“Camellia?”

She stopped and turned.

“Do you remember Sorin?” Adalhard’s keen eyes focused on hers.

“How…” Camellia paused and sighed. “How could I forget?”

“I don’t mean to pry, but after meeting your father, I just want to know. Was Sorin like that?” Adalhard didn’t look her way.

Camellia found it easier – no possible – to answer him. “Why do you want to know? I was acquitted of having anything to do with his death.”

Adalhard raised his hand. “I know. I know. This isn’t about his death. I don’t think you murdered him. God knows your father would be dead if that were the case. I just want to know if he was worse, the same, or not as bad.”

Camellia stared past Adalhard. She stared past the castle and the dragon rock. “Sorin was much, much worse than my father. I almost wish I’d been the one to kill him.”

Adalhard startled. His head snapped up, and he watched Camellia. “I’m sorry.”

Camellia waved him off. “No, it’s alright. It’s funny you should bring him up. He’s crossed my mind recently.”

Because of the Obsidian Mirror.

But, she couldn’t tell Adalhard. She wasn’t supposed to have the mirror. It came from a kind of black market, a dark gift.

Adalhard put tentative hands on Camellia’s shoulders. “I was going to say that if Sorin hadn’t been around...”

Camellia turned away. “If Sorin hadn’t been around. That’s something I think often. My life would have been so different without him.” Camellia looked over her shoulder. “But, we’re not talking about him, Adalhard. Not now.”

“Let me begin again.” Adalhard approached. He didn’t circle around to face her but crept towards her back.

Camellia shook her head. “No. Nothing should follow words about Sorin. Nothing good. He taints everything he touches.”

Adalhard stopped. “I see. Well then, I’ll say it later.”

“That would be best.”

Adalhard sighed. “Things seem to be wrapping up.” He looked back at their party and watched as mages began to load their shuttle. “We should get back.” Adalhard offered his hand.

Camellia took it. She longed to ask him about the Cernunnos thing, but the whole situation had gone sour.

Her hand in his, they started for the shuttle. Silence passed between them for several steps.

“Camellia, I would like to see you more...just like this,” he said quietly.

“I had noticed. It’s a change,” Camellia answered.

“A good one?”

Camellia opened her mouth but paused. It really depended. “I’m more wondering about the why.”

“The why?”

While the mages loaded supplies, Eva ventured away from the group and stalked around the perimeter of the area.

“Why are we coming all the way out here?” Sten asked. “Can it be you want me alone? Possibly to continue our discussion about the other Lurrien synthetics and their lack of souls? Or, maybe to discuss our apparent ownership of the elusive quality?”

When they had completed their discussion of obstacles and cleaning procedures, Sten and Eva had resumed their discussion about souls, much to Eva’s dismay. Eva reluctantly admitted that she believed Sten possessed one. Now, he wanted to talk of nothing but his similarities to Chrysanthos and Eva’s relationship with the deceased synthetic.

Sten continued, “Maybe, you would like me alone for a similar reason that Benham and Adalhard seek solitude with their counterparts. I must admit that I’m hopeful…”

“Quiet.” Eva held up a hand. “Do you hear that?” Eva searched the horizon, but flat plains stretched far in the distance.

“Oh no.”

Eva faced Sten. He looked up, and Eva did too. Strange beasts flew in the sky, and atop their backs, rode cultists.