Torchkye was silent with the first whispers of sunrise when Iliya appeared in the Wyving compartment.

Without sleeping, the ride was shaky and disorienting, leaving her gasping for breath. She stood quickly and dusted off her dress assuming there would be others around, but the facility was empty.

With a flash of light Noah appeared behind her, walking as if the entire trip was a doorway from one destination to another. He smirked at her breathlessness.

"You need to get out more," he chuckled.

Iliya grumbled and shoved into his arm. "Like you're one to talk."

"I'm the appointed Diplomat for Azuris, you know," Noah said, raising a brow. "I've been Wyving since your mother took the throne."

She tipped her head, considering his words. She'd never asked. "Diplomat?"

He laughed again. "Did you think I just followed Sorein around for fun?"

Iliya's cheeks heated. "I wasn't sure to be honest," she said, scratching the back of her neck. "I didn't know humans could Wyve until today either."

Noah smirked, his shoulders squaring proudly like a cat. "They can't, but being an immortal does have its benefits. My body can withstand fast travel."

"Oh," Iliya hummed, smiling. "That's fascinating. Is there anything else you're capable of?"

He thought for a moment, his brows pulling together. "No one has asked me that before, I suppose I'd never bothered to test the theories," he said. "I can wield weapons crafted by the Gods, I've been allowed to touch a few. But other than that, I don't know."

She found it hard to believe he'd never tried anything, Iliya knew she would have been testing her thoughts all over in his shoes. Though, she didn't know his story or why he'd been so secretive for so long.

Her lips pursed in thought as they walked out of the building and into the less than comforting streets of Torchkye.

She watched Noah edge a step in front of her, his gate friendly and warm with a menacing edge. So friendly it was terrifying.

"You do realize I am trained just as thoroughly as any Guard, right?" Iliya asked, her gaze sliding over the shaded strangers bickering down an alley. They didn't seem to miss her presence though, pausing to stare as she passed. She swallowed uncomfortably and continued.

Noah snorted, choking down a laugh. "Ah, yes. Though I don't suppose you're shaking because it's cold outside?"

She grinned her sharp white teeth in his direction, licking the points of her canines. "Would you like to find out?"

"Oh, I really am going to like you," he answered, laughing and resting a hand on her shoulder. "But you'd be surprised, your highness."

Iliya raised a brow, crossing her arms.

Waiting.

"I fought in Nynoli's last civil war," he explained, attempting and failing to retain the joy in his brown stare. "I'd give you a run for your throne."

Her snort was less than graceful, bleeding into a chaotic and breathless laugh. "Please do," Iliya said. "With Rhydian taking his time to court Elosea, I'll need a new strategy to avoid ruling."

Noah sighed, shrugging as they walked the lengthy stretch of bridge across the Yinae and into the outskirts of Chiori Faire.

"Have you ever been to Taeori Rainne, Iliya?"

She shook her head, minding his careful tone and noting the seriousness.

He paused halfway through the bridge and looked out at the vast churning waves. "They have been through a lot as a country, with a horrific accident quickly taking both their King and Heir. Elosea was the only survivor. Your cousin was in Taeori when Mt. Agonii was ambushed, not that I think he'd ever mention it."

Iliya had always wondered, praying Rhydian might one day open up to her about his experiences in the Therian continent. She'd been denied twice when given the chance to go and both were suspiciously torn from her grasp by him.

He'd been afraid of loss ever since then, especially protecting her.

Frowning, Iliya sighed and came to stand beside Noah.

"I think I'm out of my depth."

He nodded. "We all are occasionally," he agreed, smiling down at her. "But we learn and I am quite looking forward to a world where someone as open minded as you might rule."

Their comfortable silence grew again, soothing the bitter edges of their conversation. Iliya knew this would change the second they stepped foot into the city, so she embraced what she could, grateful for someone who was willing to speak to her openly.

"Will you find Sorein when we arrive?" She asked, turning back to the road.

He shook his head. "No, Sorein will find me when he's ready."

Iliya knew that to be true. Pressuring the Prince into anything usually ended in flames. Whether it be metaphoric or otherwise.

"I don't want this to come across wrong," Noah began, watching his hands as they rubbed one another. "But I would like to keep this... this side of me, between us. My father wished I would attempt something useful with my life and serving Sorein is as great a privilege as I can find without serving the Nynoli crown."

She truly understood, nodding along. "Of course," Iliya replied immediately. "You don't have to talk to me."

The words hit her like a knife to the heart, but she buried the emotion deep.

Noah's brows shot up, his hands parting defensively. "Heilos, that's not what I'm saying," he said, words tumbling out in rapid succession. "You are my friend now, Iliya."

She blinked, the feeling in her chest foreign. Perhaps this was acceptance or joy. It was odd and fuzzy.

"But the mask you see will be there again," he seemed to warn her. "I only wanted you to know so you might not take it personally."

Iliya's grin grew, realizing how much she'd wanted to hear those words. Even if she knew they might bring her pain, she was excited by the prospect of experiencing such friendship.

"I don't see why I would," she mused, following as they made their way into the city.

He chuckled softly, patting her back.

Iliya considered the strange torments and pleasures waiting for her at home while Noah mentioned various facts he'd recently learned about the wildlife of Chiori Faire. He told her the wisps made different sounds along the coast and the lake when her mind wandered to Ezre and pointed out a restaurant he wanted to try when she considered the Infirmary.

The restaurant in question stood on their left as they walked down the heartline of the city. Violet Tendencies. She giggled a little at the name but logged it for later.

When they stood outside the Estate's gates, Iliya sighed. "Jeremy should be waking up for his medicine now," she recalled, gauging the sun's height in the sky. "I think it'd be good if he had some company."

Noah looked confused for a moment but nodded. "Have you been to see him?"

"I spent most of the week in the Infirmary," she replied smiling.

"Ah," he said, wincing. "So you know more than you'd let on."

"Go see him," Iliya said again with a knowing smile. "He's healing well."

"Good," Noah sighed with relief. "I'll head down now."

She stared after him as he walked through the gate, the tall lean frame slipping past everything with hands in his pockets.

"Hey Noah?"

"Hm?" He glanced back over his shoulder.

"If you find Qudja, will you tell her I'm looking for her?" Iliya asked, fidgeting with her rings.

He grinned and nodded, slipping into her home with ease and disappearing from sight.

She didn't know why she chose not to follow him, slowly spinning in a circle to take in the dipping sun and empty streets. People were still rattled from the attack. Her own body felt leaden with exhaustion, a heavy heart and lack of sleep finally consuming her.

Iliya snuck to her room quietly, hoping beyond hope no one noticed or stopped her.

On the landing outside of her room, she stared out over the empty foyer and toward the library. The Estate had become lifeless after the attack.

Iliya frowned, turning to her room and yawning.

Her sheets and bed had been made up in her absence, a fact Iliya only noticed because of an awkward dip in the center of her bed. A tiny sprite had settled on the edge of a leather bound book.

She admired the soft green aura fluttering around it before gently scooping the journal into her arms.

The sprite popped up unexpectedly and startled her into dropping the book on the floor. A card flew out, skating across the floor.

Iliya groaned and bent over to pick up the scrap of paper.

I heard you might be in need of new reading material. Tread carefully, Ifinka.

Happy Solstice.

D. R.

She'd never seen those initials before.

Iliya vaguely remembered the unique word in Zaverian texts, but her brain continued fogging over with thick fatigue she couldn't shake. Her gut begged her not to pick up the book, fearing it would impede her sleep.

Her curiosity got the best of her, robbing her until she couldn't keep her eyes open anymore.