CYRDEL SONASSON, heir apparent to the Alkaran Throne, is a budding inventor against the wishes of his father, the King. But when a friend from the Inventor's District needs help, he has to drop everything and come to their aid, even going as far as...
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2410 Crescin 17, Briss
Ravalee sniffed, waving her hands in front of her face as they walked down the same road leading to the fields. This time, Selva's manwari wasn't going to the rescue so they were left on their own. Not that Cyrdel minded, though. It's not a lonely walk.
"It's a miracle Airene let you out of her sight," Cyrdel crossed his arms, watching Ravalee's face scrunch up in his periphery. "She wouldn't have agreed to you going to Penleth on your own."
That's because she doesn't know. Ravalee signed, a mischievous grin stretching her lips wide.
Cyrdel's eyes widened. He whipped towards Ravalee. "What do you mean Airene didn't know? What are you doing here the?"
What? You asked for my help, Ravalee rolled her eyes. She planted her foot on the ground and frowned. You could say it was a royal summon.
Cyrdel blew a breath, having stopped walking himself. His fingers massaged his temples as he braced his hip with his other hand. "Gods, Airene's going to kill me," he muttered under his breath loud enough for Ravalee to hear. That's right. She needed to feel guilty. After all he and Airene did to keep Ravalee in Depandes, here she was. "Shouldn't you be out on your own? How did you even get here so fast?"
The smile in Ravalee's lips widened. I hitched a ride as soon as your message came through, she signed. You have no idea how nice brownie merchants are.
"Okay, that's it," Cyrdel gripped Ravalee's arm before she could move and began hauling her back to the guest hut Selva had stuck the both of them. "You're staying in the hut. Don't go out until Airene tracks you here."
He resisted the urge to look back. If he saw what Ravalee was probably signing, it would make him stop. Suddenly, a spiking pain seared in his temples, sending him stumbling forward. He clutched his head. What in Nira's name—
That's what you get for telling me what to do, Ravalee's mental voice speared in Cyrdel's thoughts. A shiver ran down his spine. Okay. That's creepy. You asked for my help so now I'm here. What's the problem?
Cyrdel closed his eyes and took a deep breath, stilling the panic, worry, and frustration swirling in his gut. Why must Ravalee be this stubborn? "I was hoping to appeal to Airene to bring you here. It's not supposed to encourage you to go gallivanting on your own."
And it did. You failed on that part, Ravalee signed, her face a mixture of boredom and annoyance. Now, what did you say the issue was?
Cyrdel blew a breath, running a hand on his sand brown hair. "I really am not going to hear the end of that conversation, am I?"
No, Ravalee added a sweet smile. Will you tell me about the problem now or would I have to pry it from your cold, dead hands?
By instinct, Cyrdel stepped back. "Do I really need to die?"
