Rayla was sitting next to Callum on a broad, almost leafless branch near the top of a very old, massive Mallorn. Its golden leaves were rustling above and below them in a strong but surprisingly warm wind. He was busy drawing while she attempted to place their location on her map. Zym was scampering around at the foot of the tree.
The mountain range she had noticed at the cracked boulder still seemed far to the north east. Scanning west, she could not find any sign of Larwein. In fact, there was nothing remarkable in that direction safe for maybe a tiny speck moving in the clear sky, bobbing up and down. A nearby bird, most likely.
"Veltis-Tiram is at least two weeks of travel from here on foot. Probably longer", she said.
Callum nodded absentmindedly.
"What's wrong?", she asked.
"The night's still haunting me", he said.
She glanced at his work. Scenes of battle.
"This is gonna take a bit.", she said, extending a calming hand, "We need to try and keep goin', but you need to be nice to yourself, too. If drawin' helps, do it. If talkin' helps, I'm here."
"I know you are. Thanks", he said, leaning over to kiss her.
She sighed and folded up the map. "I think I know where we're goin' now." She pointed at the snow covered mountain range. "It's about a week to the foot of the mountains and a week to the city from there, dependin' how quickly we can get through them. The map shows a pass across but it's bound to be well-traveled."
Her boyfriend closed his sketchbook and shrugged. "Not like we haven't climbed mountains before"
She shook her head. "That was summer. Mountains are even more dangerous in the fall and winter. Plus, these are all higher than the moon nexus."
"Great", he said with fake enthusiasm, descending the tree.
Once he reached the ground, his heart skipped. Zym had been drawing pictures.
There were three of them this time.
Leftmost was Viren, running.
Then came a picture of an elven weapon, crossing a sword, superimposed on the crest of Del Bar.
At this point, Callum yelled, "Rayla?! You need to see this! Right now!"
The next picture showed a woman, wearing a circlet. She bore the insignia of Evenere. The entire picture was crossed out.
Rayla came to have a look and her face got grimmer with each picture.
Suddenly, there was a cracking sound overhead and a massive winged shape broke through the canopy. It was an armored Peryton. These stag-like animals were used in lieu of horses by Rayla's people and rarely born with wings. Those exemplars were often reserved for high officers of the Auxilia.
At this time, it bore two elven riders.
Azymondias ran for cover. Rayla brandished her blades. Callum planted himself next to her, drawing fulminis.
From the back of the creature came bemused yelling. "Spending time in tall, small-leaved trees! During the daytime! How careless! How helpful!"
The Peryton landed with a thud and one of its riders dismounted, gingerly.
"It is good to see you, Sicarius Rayla, Prince Callum. I was concerned we would not be able to find you. Then you climbed that tree!"
"Helmond?", gaped Callum. Rayla's mien and blades sagged.
"The same. This is my son, Legate Templar Torlan and his steed, Kandras. We have dire news."
"You died!", Callum cried, pointing accusingly, "He killed you! You're an illusion!"
"A valid hypothesis, young man", Helmond said, "I will tell you something that Torlan does not yet know as proof. You sat with me at Larwein inn and we clinked glasses to show our good spirits."
Callum's mien was still one of confusion, but his posture relaxed.
A flash of realization crossed Rayla's face. "I thought your strike in the town square looked strange, Torlan. Thought it was because you were nervous, but you actually just knocked him out and sliced into his shoulder!"
Torlan had gotten off his ride and taken off his helmet. He was a handsome, younger version of Helmond with high cheekbones and strong eyebrows. His templar cloak and armor were only emphasizing his muscular build.
"It was as you said.", he said sheepishly with an annoyed, sidelong glance at Helmond, "But, you are also correct with your first assumption. I was worried I was going to kill my estranged father with a misplaced blow to the head. How do you know about that, anyway?"
Callum exploded. "You killed a lot of other people during that fight! That doesn't bother you? And for what?"
Torlan faced him with an icy expression. "The bounty hunter killed a great many of my people and we took our revenge on him, yes. It was bloody but necessary."
"What about the town guard?"
The Templar's mien softened into contained dismay. "My unit can never know that my father survived. At least until Chalise is deposed or dead. I instructed them to fight defensively. That is the best I could do. Had I known that my father was the `rogue officer` Chalise sent me to kill, I would have never followed the order in the first place."
Rayla placed a calming hand on Callum's arm. The public touch made both Helmond and his son squint.
"Torlan is decorated but inexperienced.", Helmond started and Torlan stared daggers at him, "Do not look at me crooked, young man, you know it to be true. You should have scouted, but didn't. I may be senile but even I would never run into a forest clearing when facing an unknown foe."
Torlan's expression turned to pride. "Yet I beat you handily."
"With a force better trained, equipped and three times the size of mine? Child's play."
"HEY!", Callum yelled, startling Rayla into dropping one of her blades and interrupting their bickering, "Figure out your issues later! What are you doing here? Who is Chalise?"
"I am here at the bidding of my father. I agree with him on assisting you even if…"
Helmond simply started talking over him. "We are here because I needed to talk to you for a moment. Large scale fighting has started at the border and I must go to prevent those battles from spreading while you complete your mission. The Interpreter, Chalise, who is in command of the troops at the border follows her own agenda. I must depose her."
Callum and Rayla gave each other meaningful glances. Their mission was no longer about just preventing a war, now it was a question of stopping it.
"What do you need from us?", Callum asked.
"I needed you to know that you now have allies in Xadia. I can argue your case to the Auxilia Senate. Lunaris Regem has ordered you delivered to him. Interpreter Chalise tried to kill all of us, meaning she is now in secret defiance of the Dragon Canon. I do not think it wise to bring you there with me. I do not know what the atmosphere is at court."
"I will keep the Templarii off your tracks", Torlan said, "At this time that is the best I can offer. I have no authority over regular Auxilia units. My father will take Kandras to Bastion Korhal to try to prevent further bloodshed in the short term. We have some rapport with the Sunfire commanders. Here.", he handed a small quiver containing eight normal and four hawk arrows and a bow to Rayla, "Use these to keep us updated on your progress. I will recommend you send your messages to me rather than my father since he may fail his mission, exposing all of us."
Helmond nodded with a glare at his son's back, "Prudent, if impertinent."
Rayla slung the items around her, shaking herself until they rested comfortably on her shoulders. "Thank you. It's a relief to know we're not in this alone now."
Helmond shook his head. "Do not thank us yet, Sicarius. The more people know of a secret the less safe it becomes."
With that, the officer climbed the Peryton's saddle, painfully grabbing at his shoulder where he now bore two wounds. "For now, farewell and good luck."
He spurred the animal and it ascended through the hole in the canopy, blowing leaves and debris at the four remaining below.
Torlan looked after him and lightly shook his head. Then he focussed his gaze on Callum. "Human, I feel your heart beats the right rhythm. At first I was sceptical about my father's decision to help you, but you are right to chastise me for my actions. So is my father. He is a large part of the reason why I am here. May I share a secret?"
Callum motioned him to continue. With a sidelong glance at Rayla, Torlan stood, waiting. When she didn't move, he cleared his throat.
"Oh. You want to tell him, not me. Sure.", she blinked and turned to leave, then stopped and faced the Templar, an impish expression on her face, "You know he's my boyfriend. He's gonna tell me."
"`Boyfriend`? I know he is male. I also know of your improper relationship. If this is how humans treat their `friends`, they really are a strange people. Why would you even draw attention to this? Have you no shame?", Torlan said, blushing, waving her off.
Rayla's mien sagged and she walked off. His words had struck her a little but she was mostly disappointed to not have annoyed him.
When she was out of earshot, packing bags, Torlan leaned in and whispered, "My standing was advanced through the ranks because my father has many admirers in the Senate. His feats are legendary."
Callum nodded, confused. "That's good?"
Torlan stepped back from him, looking as though he had expected more of an explosion of expression from the prince.
"He and Soren could become the best of frenemies", Callum thought wryly, out loud he said, "Helmond is a good man but he didn't seem sure of himself as a father."
"Oh. Well, I will not share more secrets of our family with you at this time but suffice to say he has not impressed my mother. Nor me. Nor my sister. Not as a father. As a soldier, I am thoroughly amazed by the man.", he stretched excessively, then pointed over his shoulder. "Regardless, I will have to reassume my command over my Templarii and face the shame of losing a battle against my steed, who flew away. Ooh. Woe me! Until we meet again, Prince Callum."
He winked at Callum and started walking westward.
Rayla slowly slid back into place next to Callum, watching the heavily armoured knight waddle off. Both of their faces were twisted by incredulity.
"Did he just wink at you?"