It took them two weeks to get back. Partially because they didn’t have enough supplies to last the trip back without being supplemented by foraging and hunting, which was also slowed down by the fact that Sparrow did none of that.

“You’re the one that Tiffany taught. I never learned any of that.” Sparrow said while lying back, eating chicken that Theo cooked, covering it in wildberry jam (that he also made). “Treat it like paying me back for taking you under my wing. Plus, you need the experience.” They teased, and while Theo grumbled, the pointers they gave while the two of them ran as fast as they could go made up for it.

It wasn’t that his magic improved in strength, but he was more efficient at utilising it, and taking into account things that he’d never expect in order to maximise effectiveness. His footsteps were a lot more measured now, and although he was moving slower than before, he could feel the ease of how he moved now. With a little bit of practice, he would be able to get a lot more out of what he had for the same effort.

Also, the fact that Sparrow insisted on staying in a village when the opportunity arose. It was nice to sleep in an actual bed and eat food he didn’t have to find himself, but he didn’t really feel it to be that necessary. Sparrow, on the other hand, had moaned enough about beauty sleep and tour riders that he eventually acquiesced.

The fact that they managed to pay for their stay with a single performance didn’t hurt, either. It was becoming clear not only how Sparrow managed to survive out here without any of the survival skills Theo assumed all bards possessed, and also how they were famous all throughout the lands.

But most importantly, there was no longer a sense of urgency as Sparrow was safe. Theo stretched, as he felt rather free. What other reason did they have to worry now?

---

Union City was somehow more on edge. The Woods were aggressive, but that he could have chalked up to the fact that they were coming from Etol’s direction. They calmed down almost immediately once they realised it was him, withdrawing the network of brambles and spikes that he’d helped plant.

There was even a line snaking out form the walls. It reminded Theo of getting into Etol, but he wasn’t as fussed this time.

It crawled forward, and as it did, a sinking feeling set in.

“Have you ever seen the entrance like this?” He asked Sparrow.

“No. It’s normally quite fast to get in.” They confirmed.

“…what do you think could be the cause?”

Sparrow mulled over the question, troubled. “Something big.” They left it at that.

Well, that wasn’t worrying at all.

He looked up, at the guards standing on the walls. They were dressed differently than normal. Gone were the uniforms, and in their place were suits of armour that were polished and well-taken care of, but noticeably used. Weapons were in hand, and they were actively watching over the whole perimeter.

If before they had the countenance of sleepy dogs watching over a farm with a lazy eye, they were now bloodhounds tracking everything that could potentially bleed.

It was a stressful wait, and it felt like they were under judgement from some all-seeing being. They were kept under careful watch, as were everyone else waiting in line. Theo heard a horse whinny, and a merchant had to quietly try and keep it calm before it raised too much of a fuss.

Immediately, all the guards snapped their attention onto where that sound had come from, and even from a distance Theo could see the sweat glistening on the poor merchant’s brow. It started to soak through his shirt, dark patches growing visible underneath his vest.

It had a ripple effect, as pilgrims and merchants alike stiffened and sat as presentable as possible, a wave of good posture making its way to both the front and back of the queue as people became cognisant of the supervision like an uncomfortable seat you only notice when shifting your weight.

After a few hours where the humidity was noticeably higher than it should have been, Theo and Sparrow finally made it to the front of the line.

They approached a desk, where a guard wearing the exact same equipment as the others was seated. Her hair was cut short enough to not fall in her eyes or make wearing a helmet difficult, short enough to be spiky to the touch, and there was a scar that ran from her lips to her jawline. Two more flanked the desk’s edges, and there was a spare spear leaned against the desk in arm’s reach of the sitting guard.

“Names.” The guard didn’t look up, hand busy writing something down as she scanned more pieces of paper.

“This is Theo, and I am The Dancing Wind.” There was a flicker of irritation as she looked up, that turned into surprise as she registered that yes, this was actually The Dancing Wind and not someone trying to impersonate them.

They might have been dressed in whatever clothes they could trade for from the villages they passed by, but there was something inherently magnetic about their presence, even now.

Given what he recently discovered, Theo wouldn’t be surprised to learn that their charisma was affected by literal magic.

“Stay safe out there.” No more inspection or interrogation was required of them, which resulted in more than one voice being raised in protest of unfair treatment. This was summarily quashed by another synchronised, piercing stare.

The guards returned their attention to Sparrow, saluted them, and resumed their vigil, but the way their eyes lingered and the casual glances backwards made it clear their minds weren’t entirely on their work.

As they walked back through normally busy streets that were now deserted, Theo spoke what was on his mind.

“How do you do that?”

Sparrow chuckled. “Would you accept my natural beauty?” They batted their eyelids. Theo, completely used to their antics, watched on unimpressed.

“Hey, I’ve got to keep some secrets.”

As they walked, Theo felt more and more eyes watching them. Sparrow seemed completely unaffected, while Theo was starting to understand why the guards had been so intimidating.

This continued into the College district.

It was eerie, more of the quiet that pervaded the rest of the city. There was nobody where the Arts Exchange usually sat, and the park was also clear of the people who would normally be relaxing there.

There was, however, the entire cohort of the College of War, marching in rows up and down the courtyard, silence except for the synchronised landing of their footfalls. He picked out Jenny, Bruce, and everyone else. Jenny’s eyes met his, and while they lingered for a few moments, she eventually returned full concentration to their march.

“Uh, Sparrow…” Theo began.

“Yeah, I know. Let’s hurry and find out what’s going on.”

The moment they entered the College of Song, Maria made it very clear she noticed.

“YOU HAVE SOME NERVE-“ Her voice felt like a backfire going off right next to his ear from the sheer volume.

“Murder me later. First, what happened while we were gone?” Sparrow interrupted.

There was indeed murder in her eyes, glare doubling as the intent was funnelled from her screams.

“In light of an assassination and desecration of a temple, Etol has declared war on Union City.”