𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒔𝒉

𝑽. 𝒔𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔

With immune systems protected by barberry mint and cloth covering their faces, they made their way down to the base of the mountain. Nyx's movements were uneasy, the jolt of each footstep wracking her body.

"What was that about?" Cillian asked sharply.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Nyx replied quickly.

"You know what I mean, that woman clearly knew something about you. Are you hiding something?" He tried to make eye contact with her, but Nyx remained focused on the forest ahead of her.

"How you were in the mist—it was awful for all of us, but I've never seen you like that before. And I've known you for a long LONG time, Nyx." Cillian added.

Nyx stopped her heavy march and whirled to face him, her hand still clutching the cloth to her face. "Cillian, please! I'm a bit more preoccupied with the implications of political upheaval in Fanas than I am with my sensitivity to a bit of air! She's a very old woman who has lived in the mountains alone for Hesis knows how long. I am completely fine now, and I just want to figure out who is in line to become the next damn High Premier!"

She sighed and caught her breath. The others had stopped and were watching them quietly. She looked to each of them.

"Now, who's going to go with me?"

Silence. Hesitation.

Cillian scoffed. "What do you mean go with you? We have all the information we need to report back to Hesis. We are going home, Nyx."

"If we return to Earrach, the court will take far too long to come to a decision on how to move forward. The court is already divided enough as it is with the attacks on the forest creatures. It will be a long time before we are granted leave once again to find whoever is in charge of Fanas—whoever is at the root of this—and end it. It will be an even longer time if they decide to use the military." Nyx shook her head. "But we don't have time, we haven't had that luxury for a while now. None of you have to come with me, but I am going to find their capitol. And when I do...I'm going to do what we were trained to do."

She hoped her passion showed in her eyes and words. She hoped that now when the time came for action, her division would follow her. 

"You don't mean to... kill whoever claims High Premier, do you?" Finn asked.

Nyx nodded, "I do."

"Don't be ridiculous, Nyx. To do so would be an act of war without approval from Hesis or the court, they would have your head for it." Cillian said, avoiding her sharp glare.

"Well then, we will have to just hope that the deed is done before they find out, wont we?" She said and continued down the mountain. It was silent the rest of the way down.

When they finally found their horses, the mist had cleared. Nyx stuffed the cloth from her face under the leather of her belt and quickly detached her horse's reigns from Jamys's.

"I'm with you, Nyx." Flair said quietly from behind her. Nyx turned to look at her. Finn stepped beside Flair with a nod, "Me too."

Caitriona walked toward them, her cloth running against the blade of her dagger and a gleam in her dark eyes. Her lips quirked up in a smirk, "Always."

Nyx looked to Jamys who stood readjusting the pack on his horse. He gave a single nod.

Niall was already sat atop his horse, he shrugged. "I got nothin'a lose."

Nyx smiled.

Finally, Nyx chanced a glance towards Cillian. He stood leaning against a tree, his arms crossed over his chest. He shook his head, "You've got a lot of nerve, Ophirel. One day you'll have to realise that playing hero comes at a cost."