The Starlight Lancer

Chapter 102: On Murky Waters

"Never forget your values or principles—when the galaxy gets confusing and scary, and it will, you'll have something to tether you to a path forward."

—High Priest of the Orthodox Wing of Byzon Bernand Yratkia

Zaina had no desire for sleep—and even if she did there was too much to do. Now that she was alone she had to contact Xyrthe. Zaina was interested to see how things were going on the other side. Sivanya believed Deonago's attack was coming within a few days—if it was, Xyrthe had to have heard something.

Perhaps talking to her mentor would help quell Zaina's restless mind—she didn't know what to make of her meeting with Sivanya. Xyrthe had a way of cutting through the smoke and mirrors and getting to the point, which was exactly what Zaina needed at the moment.

She reached for her pocket and felt the vis-screen within; her wrist seemed empty without it. The sound of snoring from a few tents over broke her concentration—maybe this wasn't the best place to talk.

Zaina stood and poked her head out of her tent. No one was in sight; she slipped out and walked further into the forest. Her life and the mission depended on no one hearing this conversation.

The woods darkened as the sun fell out of view behind some distant mountains, leaving behind streaks of purple and jets of orange. It was beautiful, but Zaina was too ridden with anxiety to appreciate it.

When she was confident no one had followed and no one could hear, she opened her vis-screen and opened a line with Xyrthe. To her surprise, her mentor accepted immediately—a holo-projection popped up from the vis-screen.

"Hey there, kid. I was starting to worry. How's everything?"

"Everything's all right," Zaina said. "I'm in. What about on your end?"

"Well," Xyrthe said, "the mercenaries like me, but Dirzo and his guys are suspicious. They know Rymar brought me here, so they think I'm up to something. I need a little longer to earn their trust."

"Do we have that much longer? Sivanya thinks the attack is coming in the next few days."

"I haven't heard anything to that effect," Xyrthe said. "Dirzo and his personal army run a pretty tight ship. The mercs are told when to be on standby and get called up when they're needed, so they don't know anything 'til last-minute. I don't think I'm gonna get any valuable information until I get into Dirzo's inner circle."

"Well, shit," Zaina said, "that's not good."

"Stay steady and you'll be all right. Do you think she suspects anything as far as you're concerned?"

"I honestly don't know," Zaina replied. "She seems really nice—friendly, even. It's hard to read her intentions."

"What about the temple? How far along are they?"

Zaina grimaced. "Not that far. Part of the temple is uncovered, but it's still sealed. Sivanya told me what she believes is inside—a sanctuary."

"A sanctuary?"

"Yes. Apparently it's a place only the marked can enter."

"Huh," Xyrthe said. "Explains why they buried it, if it's true. Do keep in mind Sivanya might not be telling you the whole truth—and even if she is, what she believes to be true might not be."

"Perhaps relay her theory to the Order, see if it jogs anyone's memory?" Zaina said. "If the temple really is completely safe, like Sivanya thinks—shouldn't we let them dig it up?"