Fear's Union

Chapter Thirty-One

—Xen—

Xen had stopped off as soon as the clouds started rearing up. It was one of those storms, a real bone-shaker, and there was no way she was staying out in that. The fine clothes she was wearing would have been ruined. She stroked the smooth material, and smiled. Keles had bought her this dress.

She sighed. Best not to think about that now.

The storm had passed, now just a smear of turbulence on a crisp morning horizon. But its signature was all around. The wide fields were sodden, the roads muddy, and travel was slow. Not all roads were stone-lined, and the packed earthen roads were slushy under her horse's hooves. Trees were bent awkwardly, and not a few limbs were ripped right away, leaves strewn across the ground. The world was strangely silent, which was nice. She had much thinking to do.

Altunia was coming into view by mid-afternoon, and the stone dragon dominated the skyline. It was astonishing, as it ever was, and she shivered despite the day's warmth. When she was just a short ride from the city, her peace was broken by a pair of riders hurtling in her direction. She stopped her mare abruptly and the horse objected, circling on the spot. A noise grabbed her. Someone had cried out to her. She smiled.

Anejo was galloping towards her. She couldn't wait to embrace her friend.

"Forgive me, but how exactly did you escape punishment?"

They were riding back towards the city, a Jinq private escort trotting a few lengths behind. Anejo was twitchy, looking over her shoulder regularly. That wasn't like her. Something was heavy in that head of hers.

"I have been declared as the prophesized martyr of our people. I am destined for greatness, and therefore absolved of any misdemeanours. I am untouchable." Was that really so bad? Anejo didn't seem pleased.

"And this is upsetting you because..."

"In the eyes of the law I am still a murderer! To everyone in the world I am a heartless killer, and it is on the whim of the Ranji that I am allowed to limp on."

"You are alive. Be grateful for that at least."

"Pfft. I am not alive. I am a slave to the manipulative word of the Ranji. That is no life at all."

Damn she was selfish sometimes. In those moments, it was really hard being her friend.

"Are you really going to treat such a gift of fortune with contempt? You could have been sentenced to death. It is not that hard to show a flake of gratitude."

"Oh yes, I should be grateful should I? I should never even have been on a murder charge. That man was a traitor, and he attacked me. If anything, I should be lauded for my intervention, but no. I have this instead. I have to prove my innocence."

Bloody hell! Always with the push-back. "How are you going to prove your innocence?"

"Well, firstly, I'd like to get back to the Academy. Unfortunately, my jolly companion here is making sure that doesn't happen. Aren't you?"

The guard stayed utterly impassive, and it was only then that she registered the oddness.

"Why is he with you?"

"He's holding my leash. My grandfather does not trust me anymore."

She almost scoffed, but held it. Just. This was going to really annoy Anejo. She valued her freedom above almost everything else, and now she'd thrown it away. She would need to support her friend through this. It would be painful

"Is there anything I can do?"

Anejo's eyes sparkled. It was her mischievous look. What was she letting herself in for?