Gandash reached to where his robe folded below his neck, pulled it open, and dragged out two objects.

They were both pieces of jewelry attached to his neck by means of silver chains. He unclasped the chains and put the objects the table. The first was a circle of bronze that looked like a bracelet. The second was a rectangular box of dark wood, trimmed with silver.

Putting his hand on the circle of bronze, Gandash said, “This is a bracelet of holding. As all of you probably considered, supplying a force like ours during a long overland journey can be difficult. This bracelet contains water, flour, salt, and other basic necessities. If I die, ownership of the bracelet will shift focus to one of you. If that person dies, or is dead when I die, then another will gain ownership. Whoever gains ownership will sense it immediately. I was the one to decide the order of passing.

“The same goes for this.” He moved his hand to the rectangular box. “And in fact, this carrying case is far more important than the bracelet of holding. It’s protected by a spell formation linked to my soul. If anyone but me tries to open it, the case will destroy itself. Inside of it is a set of orders. Different orders than those we were originally given.

“The point of the operation, as stated, was to travel to the city of Puabi here on Jehannemid, then escort certain members of the nobility back to the Gateway. However, that’s not really what this mission is about. Once the proper conditions are met, I can open the carrying case and reveal the true nature of our mission. The basic requirement to open it involves getting to Puabi, although there are other circumstances in which I could open it earlier.”

He put the carrying case back into his garment. As he did, silence filled the small tent.

Gandash sat there, his back straight as a board, looking around at the mages as if expecting someone to speak or ask a question. When no one did, he continued, “I was told we would have a secondary mission, and that I shouldn’t mention it to any of you until after we were on the road. Thus, this meeting. There’s no need to reveal this to any of the Unsighted. And truth be told, I wouldn’t even tell you if it weren’t for the fact that the box could pass to you if I die.

“It worries me that we ran into an Abhorrent. It’s been months since the Ira starisles were supposedly ‘cleared’ of the things. Though we did know it was possible there could be stragglers, finding one only a day’s journey from the Gateway is another matter.” He frowned. “I don’t like it. However, my orders were clear. Regardless of the circumstances here, I’m to lead the company across the continent to Puabi.” Yet again, he looked around the circle of mages. “I expected more surprise from you,” he said. “Maybe some questions.”

Ningal raised her hand.

Gandash smiled faintly. “There’s no need for hand-raising. If you have questions, just ask.”

“Do you have any idea what the real mission is about?” she asked.

“Unfortunately, no. The secret instructions were given to me by Archon—” Gandash cut himself off. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter who gave them to me. The point is that I was told it’s a vital mission, and that we should make haste to Puabi. Any other questions?”

Xerxes had questions. Had Gandy been given this mission by Shabadras? Was it connected to the Eternal Father Cult? Did Gandy really have no idea what the true mission was?

But he knew Gandash wouldn’t be able to answer them, so he kept his mouth shut.

Gandash let a minute ‌pass. “In that case, this meeting is adjourned. Get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll be out of the mountains, and we’ll travel as hard and fast as possible. The sooner we get to Puabi the better.”

The mages started getting to their feet to leave.

“Lieutenant Xerxes, do you mind staying for a moment?” Gandash said.

Xerxes’ heart flip-flopped as he sat back down. He knows about Jad and Enusat, doesn’t he?

When the other mages were gone, and the tent flap closed, Xerxes looked at his friend.

Gandash was sitting there cross-legged, looking down at the ground in front of him. A moment ago, he’d seemed just like the important military officer he was supposed to be. But now he seemed to slump, and his jaw worked as though he were trying to come up with words to speak.

Xerxes thought back to when they had just lost Bel, and Gandash seemed like a husk of himself. He felt a lump in his throat. “Gandy, about what happened at the restaurant—”

“Stop,” Gandash said.

Xerxes closed his mouth. This is where it all comes crashing down, right?

A moment of silence passed.

“I was an asshole,” Gandash said. “I said some harsh things. I’m sorry. You know I don’t handle my liquor well. It was stupid of me to start pounding down that ale.” He shook his head sharply. “Wording it like that makes it seem like I’m trying to shift responsibility. I’m not. It was my fault. And I’ve even sworn off alcohol because of it.”

“Gandy, it wasn’t your fault,” Xerxes said.

“Ultimately, it was. I’m not saying that you handled yourself perfectly. But everything I said was… worded badly. And of course, some of it was wrong.” He looked up. “I’m sorry, Xerk. Really.”

Xerxes didn’t know what to say. Ever since the scrap with Gandash, he’d been worried about getting in trouble, and also second-guessing himself for getting into a physical conflict with his friend. But now, it seemed Gandash blamed… himself?

“Gandy, you don’t need to be apologizing. We’re men, right? So what if we have a bit of a yelling match and then punch each other’s lights out? It’s water under the bridge! Although, I know I was in the wrong, too. I should have just walked away, not started fighting back. Thanks for, well, you know.”