Sword and Veil (Everstone Series book 1 preview)

Chapter 6

The room lay silent and bare, cloaked in stone and shadow. Ahead loomed a massive door, its surface etched with intricate symbols stretching its full height. Ancient words of a forgotten tongue spiraled within an ornate circle, every line and curve meticulously woven into the design. Dust fell as the door ground against the stone floor, awakened from its long slumber, opening into a vast space, occupied only by an enormous orb of black rock levitating in the center. Underneath the orb was a round platform, a few feet high and carved from the earth itself.

Moving closer to the orb, a faint, deep hum echoed in her chest–

"Hey, Eva!" Maya said, waving her hand in front of her friend's face. "Nine Hells girl, where did you go?"

"What?" Eva asked, dazed a bit as she focused on Maya's dark, almost black eyes.

Her hair was dyed a dark red color, contrasting her natural blonde, by using leather dye and local berries. She had been coloring her hair for a while, the natural yellow easily overtaken by the rich magenta she concocted. It was a beautiful color, Eva felt. Maya said she wanted to stand out– display a uniqueness amongst her kin.

"You spaced out. Kinda creepy." Lucas said, sitting down next to Eva on the wooden bench, mouth already stuffed with bread. The mess tent was bustling with morning breakfast. Eva took a bite of her now cold food.

"Not helpful Lucas." Maya retorted. "Seriously, are you okay?"

Eva smiled weakly, rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm just tired. I let my mind wander."

"Wander into Fairyland." Lucas said, taking another large bite of bread soaked in the broth. Eva gave him a sour glare, but Lucas just smiled. Heavens above she had missed him and his annoying comments.

As they each finished their meals, they left the mess tent and headed for a quiet walk. Eva wasn't assigned anything until night-watch, Lucas could ultimately choose his own schedule between missions, and Maya was free until a briefing later that morning.

The sun climbed over the treeline, reaching above the horizon long enough to brighten the world but not bring its warmth. Fall was approaching, and thankfully, the winters were short in Adiel. Eva hated the cold.

"Hey Lucas," She asked, as the three strolled through the long grass away from the outpost, searching for a place to rest in the morning breeze.

"Yeah?" He responded, squinting at the horizon.

"What do you know about the objects the Zentari are searching for? What are they?"

She didn't fain innocence. Lucas already knew she was asking for privileged information. Again. He slowed, glancing around to ensure they were far enough from prying eyes and itching ears.

"I'm not sure." He started, speaking softly. "I overheard Chosen Lieutenant Cooper mention something about ancient relics a few months back when I was stationed at the Duran Wall. There was an intel report of the Zentari searching for these small stones. Our spies say it's widespread, that they were all given the same order to keep their eyes open."

Eva didn't respond, her thoughts wandering back to what happened. She still didn't know how to explain it.

"Wait, the entire Zentari military is looking for these things?" Maya asked, unabashed at discussing forbidden information.

She was also a Swordsman, and thus not any more authorized than Eva. Although she was ready to be promoted to Chief, and was more recently asked, she declined. She gave her reasons, but really it was to remain at Yaqar.

Maya had very little ambition for career growth and thrived on the familiar. She grew close to Eva after their time here, and Eva liked to think she stayed for her, having come to rely on each other's presence. However, unlike Eva, Maya had many friends and thus many reasons to stay.