Kitaya read over the message one last time before rolling it up and tying it with a black ribbon. A letter for Eriani. The Queen needed to know Kitaya may not make it to the summit. Finding Aldeheid took priority over entertaining a horde of stuffy diplomats.

She gazed over the town one last time. Despite not being as extravagant as Kon, this place had a charm of its own. The rules of the backlands weren't complicated—do what you need to do without causing trouble for anyone else. The lawlessness of these lands appealed to the rebel in her. But her bloodline kept it far out of her reach.

She rose from her bed and shouldered her bag, giving her room an inspection to ensure she left it tidier than she met it. The only eyesore was her used bath, but the attendants would take it away as soon as she left.

The town hall stood quiet at this hour, with only the gentle thumps of her boots against the wood filling the silence as she headed downstairs. The scents of tea and cooked fruit lured her to the dining chamber, but she found it empty.

Silver and porcelain accoutrements sat on the low table, awaiting those who would use them, and the bustling of productivity leaked in from the kitchen. Perhaps she'd underestimated how early it was.

Kitaya left the dining chamber and wondered into a hall she'd never ventured before, stopping in front of a set of high double doors. One side was slightly ajar and the sound of conversation wafted into the hall.

"I'll be right out, Kitaya," Ade called.

She frowned. How? More forbidden magic? Dear gods she hoped not. Too much of that drove men to insanity, and the thought of that happening to Ade turned her gut on its side.

Ade emerged from the room and eased the door shut behind him. His eyes landed on the bag on her shoulder and a trail of fog escaped his lips, curling up to the ceiling. "You're leaving."

Kitaya avoided his gaze and raked a hand through her braids. "Indeed, I... I was wondering if you knew anywhere else the Vidaldi may be? Other towns nearby, perhaps?"

"I do." He leaned back against the door and crossed one ankle over the next. "There's a town south of here that reported a sighting a few weeks ago.The guild has a safe house on the outskirts you can use."

She thought of all the dubious looks she'd earned from the guildmaster and cringed. "I don't think that would be wise."

"Forget what Oshun thinks about Konian royals. It's the least we can do after you and your friends helped us weed out those Vidaldi scum."

"Speaking of friends, can you direct me to Jayer and Jetei's room? I need to drop off this message before I leave."

"Ah, they're not here. They left early to search the facility again." He folded his arms across his chest. They should be there by now."

Kitaya swore softly. "I see. Well, what about Fukami?"

"He's outside."

"How do you keep track of everyone? Is it..." She didn't let the words escape her lips.

Ade shook his head. "I have my methods and I'd rather not disclose them. But I make it my business to know who is here, why they are and what they are doing at all time."

"I see." As much as this new Ade disturbed her, she couldn't find the gumption to confront him on it. She didn't know what events had led him to this life, and therefore had no right to judge him.

He stood proper and stretched his arms over his head. "There's something I'd like to show you before you leave. If you'd indulge me. It will only take a minute."

She opened her mouth to deny him, but the eager look in his eyes, softened her heart. "Alright."

Ade led her past the dining chamber, further down the hall she'd come from. At its end was a heavy metal door. He pushed it open and stepped inside, brushing aside stray bits of metal and wood with his feet.

A workshop, like the one they'd spent so many days in when they were younger. Kitaya would sit in the back, lamenting the woes of royal life while he worked wood and metal into deadly creations.

Kitaya trailed her hands over the wooden workbench where a wooden head sat with a half-done helm on its head. Tools hung in a neat row above it, and sealed barrels stood in neat stacks beside it. On the far wall, mounted weapons and armour pieces sat like trophies.

"This is it." He crossed to the back of the room and took a dagger down from amongst the many weapons. The sheath was stained black and begilded with flowers and leaves cut from gold leaf. He held it out hilt first and nodded for her to take it.

She turned the weapon over in her hands, admiring the braided leather grip and pommel fashioned into a flower bud. Ade never failed to impress with his workmanship, but the level of detail on this piece was the best she'd seen from him.

Kitaya unsheathed the blade, and marveled at the black metal, lips parted and eyes wide. Single-edged, sharpened to a razor's edge, a beautiful sight for one who favoured daggers. "Ade, this is incredible."

"It gets better. Here." He placed two fingers on the blade and a spark of magic tingled in the air.

The dull edge of the blade thinned, and the tip morphed into a deadly point. What was once a single-edged blade became double-edged.

A memory flashed through Kitaya's mind of them in his workshop on a rainy day. Her watching the rain while feeling guilty over something stupid she'd done. And him speaking animatedly of wanting to make a blade that could change its shape. She was wrong; he was still her Ade. A little warped, like a blade worn down from many battles, but it was still him. He'd never lost sight of himself, or his goals.

She smiled, her heart swelling. "By the gods, Ade, you did it. How long did it take you?"

He grinned, looking like his old self again. "I figured out the right mixture of metals ten years ago. And spent another five years perfecting the enchantment."

"It's even more amazing than I imagined." She slipped the blade back into its sheath.

"Keep it." He gave a wave of dismissal. "I have others, and that dagger suits you. Just promise you won't be a stranger."

"It was good seeing you again, Ade."

He held her at arm's length. "Best of luck. I'll let you know if we hear or see anything." He flicked his head towards the door at the back of the shop. "You can leave through there. Follow the cobblestone out of the gate, then you'll find a winding dirt path that leads to the next town."

"Alright. Take care." Kitaya gave him one last hug and left the shop. Outside, the first light touched down on the savanna. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and followed the cobblestone as Ade instructed. The damp morning air and crisp breezes did nothing to dull the edge of worry plaguing her thoughts.

She rubbed her marked hand, her throat tightening. Aldeheid, where are you? Her mind kept conjuring images of him in a dark chamber, hurt, aching, alone. He couldn't have come out of that battle with the Vidaldi unscathed.

He could be panicking and terrified just as much her. But perhaps he was fighting just as hard as she was, looking for a way out of the Vidaldi's clutches. Perhaps utilizing all the training he'd gone through in the last three hundred years. If that was the case, she would meet him halfway.

"Leaving so soon?"

Kitaya startled and looked up to find Fukami longing on his bag. "You can head back to Kon, Fukami. I'll keep looking for Aldeheid."

"You do not want myassistance anymore?" he asked with a frown.

"Do you truly wish to help or are you only interested in slaughtering every Vidaldi in sight?"

He was quiet for a long moment. "Both? You are my friend and you are in distress. Therefore, I wish to help you. And the Vidaldi. Well, that's my own, personal agenda."

Kitaya frowned. "This agenda of yours... Will it get in the way of what we're trying to accomplish."

"Of course not. That would make me a terrible friend. Which is the opposite of what I am." He floated down in front of her. "Which is why, if you prefer to shoulder this burden alone, I will respect your wishes, but I will ask where you are headed so I may check of you if I get worried."

Kitaya sighed but couldn't help the smile that graced her lips. "South. Ade said there's a town down there the Vidaldi has been lurking around. It's half a day's walk. But I plan to cut that time down with a run."

"That sounds fun. But I think I'll stick around Kon for a while longer. I can let Sora take you to your destination should you wish."

She shook her head. "Thank you, but I need to walk. To clear my head. But there's something else you can do for me." She held up the letter. "Take Jayer and Jetei back to Kon with you. And deliver this to Eriani."

"As you wish." He plucked the letter from her hand. "Good luck, my dear. And shout on the wind should you need my help." With that Fukami floated up over the trees, and Kitaya waved to him as he flew out of sight.