The Sorcerer's Dragon (Book 2) (11 page)

She began talking excitedly in his ear, telling him about all the things she was going to miss about him and how she’ll do her best to keep the shop from burning down. At first, Milo was visibly annoyed. The deadpan expression on his face said it all. But as she continued to speak, it began to soften, and after a minute had gone by, he found his arms wrapping around her waist, hugging her back.

Arianna let go of him and he did the same, but the distance between them didn’t grow. She continued to chatter on, talking about nothing in particular. But Milo let it go, and since he was willing to listen, no one in the group interrupted.

She went on for ten minutes, talking about the new inventions she would create, what kits she had packed in his suitcase, what the humidity was doing to her hair and what she would do if another shop sprouted up in Virga that competed with theirs. She talked about everything and nothing, but he didn’t say a word.

And when she was done, he still didn’t respond.

He simply smiled, leaned forward, and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

She beamed in delight, jumped up slightly and then rushed back into the shop, closing the door behind her. Milo took a deep breath and then began heading toward Virga’s gates. Ian chuckled to himself and punched Milo playfully in the shoulder.

“Aw, that was cute. I’m surprised you didn’t yell at her and tell her to go away.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Well, you know, because she’s annoying.”

“Crazy annoying,” he laughed. “But, you know, she’s also my sister. And sometimes to show her that I care…it means keeping my mouth shut and letting hers yap on.”

There was no opposition to them leaving Paragon, and it wasn’t surprising considering few knew who they were. If anyone did, they would jeer and laugh, wondering what a band of misfits were doing inquiring about the Sorcerers. It was foolish, and at best, a waste of time.

A young Sage, a warrior, a tailor, a mechanic, a farmer, and whatever Remi was supposed to be. This was the hope of Paragon. This was what the King was staking his land’s future on, and the notion was as ridiculous as the mission itself.

But Remi didn’t care.

She was no longer alone.

And with that, came a whole new host of responsibilities.

For now, if she did find a hostile human weapon or one of the Sorcerers, there were lives under her care that weren’t her own. And how was she going to protect them? How was she going to ensure that they didn’t get captured like Kace had been? If one of them died, how was she going to convince the rest to keep moving forward?

They all had their reasons for being there, and it wasn’t necessarily because of Remi. Milo wanted to get away, Ian wanted to pursue new ventures and forage for new materials. Harlan was looking for someone. Eckard would go wherever Olivia went, and Olivia herself? Why, she was the most unreliable of them all, for as soon as she got the opportunity, Remi was sure she would leave for greener pastures. But yet, she knew that she could get a lot further with her close by. She was a traitor, but she was also a valuable ally, and that both calmed and scared her.

She wondered if the Sorcerers would offer Olivia something in exchange for Remi. It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.

“Has the beam gotten larger?” Harlan asked. Remi lifted her head to see Olivia at the front of the group, raising the red shard high over her head.

“Can’t you see it from back there?” she snapped.

“No,” Harlan retorted. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have asked.”

“We should stop for food soon,” Ian laughed. “Everyone’s getting grumpy.”

“It has been twelve hours,” Milo yawned. “And I feel like my arm is going to pop out of its socket.”

“No one said you had to put a corpse in that suitcase.”

“Yeah, but it keeps me company,” Milo said, sticking his tongue out.

“You guys are getting weird again,” Harlan stated as Olivia let her arm down.

“Let’s stop,” she said. “It’s not like we’re going to reach our destination tonight.”

“You sure here is good?” Milo asked. “In the middle of a dense forest at night?”

“It’s fine here,” Ian said. “Not many nocturnal beasts. You’ll get bit up by bugs though. I would keep your face covered as much as possible.”

“Great,” Milo said, throwing his suitcase down. “I knew I should have packed a tent.”

“I’ll start a fire,” Harlan said. “Anyone want to help me gather some wood?”

“I will,” Eckard said. Olivia raised an eyebrow as she watched her boy toy walk off.

“Well, that’s surprising,” Olivia said, sitting down in the crunchy grass. She fidgeted in her seat, rubbing her butt against some dirt and twigs.

“What?” Remi laughed, sitting down beside her. “It’s weird to see that your little man has a brain?”

“Yeah, I guess it is,” Olivia laughed. “Usually he would ask me first if he could go.”

“He’s growing up.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“So…how long do you think it will take for us to get there?”

“I don’t even know where there is,” Olivia said, picking up a twig and throwing it in front of her. “And I would be shocked if it ends up being this easy. A simple marker. Trust me, we’ll come up against something terrible.”

“Like the Langorans?”

“No one’s scared of them, though I’m sure they’re around.”

Remi let the tip of her eidolon stick out of her shoulder and she scanned the area. “Nah. They’re nowhere close.”

“You know that thing you do looks absolutely disgusting?”

“Not as bad as seeing Eckard’s naked self running around.”

“You got me there…hey, what’s the deal with you and Ian?”

“Ian?” she asked, glancing up and seeing Ian looking right at her. He had been picking up some berries nearby when he heard his name. They stared at each awkwardly for a few seconds and then he went back to foraging, pretending as if he wasn’t listening.

“Well, that was awkward,” Remi whispered.

Olivia chortled. “It’s not going to get any better with you talking so low.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“I don’t know. Just answer the question.”

“What question?”

“What’s the deal with you and berry picker over there?”

“We’re friends,” Remi replied and Olivia slapped a hand on her forehead.

“You know he likes you, right?”

“Yeah…but what does that have to do with anything?”

“You’re not going to try him out and see where it leads?”

“Try him out? Ew. You make it sound he’s a pair of pants.”

“Listen, you’re inexperienced. You might want to see what a relationship with him is like. Even if it doesn’t work out, you’ll have some memories under your belt, and then you’ll have a better idea of what you’d want in the future.”

“I don’t know. I mean, breaking it off with Kace was bad enough.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. You broke it off with Kace? When?”

“When I left Paragon that day.”

“You’ve got more balls than I thought.”

“Um…thanks I guess?”

“I’m just surprised.”

“What about you?” Remi asked. “You and Eckard. Isn’t he the first and only boyfriend you’ve ever had? What about
you
playing the field?”

“Oh I have,” she said, her voice getting lower.

“While you’ve been with Eckard?” Remi asked in shock.

“No,” she said solemnly. “Back in our hometown.”

“Oh,” Remi said. She turned away from Olivia and stared at the dirt at her feet. “You know that kind of stuff doesn’t define you, right?”

“Who are you talking to?” Olivia snapped, giving her a look of disgust. “No, seriously? Do you realize who you’re talking to? I’m fine, Remi. You’re the one that needs help.” She pointed at Remi’s face and Remi nearly slapped her. What was she trying to say? That she wasn’t beautiful?

“It’s your face,” Olivia reiterated. “There’s blood coming from your nose.”

“Oh!” Remi replied, reaching up and dabbing her left nostril. A thin drop of blood sat on the tip of her artificial finger. “Geez, what’s that all about?”

“Who knows?” Olivia said, rising to her feet. “You stay here and take care of that, okay? I’ll be back.”

“Wait, where are you going?”

“I’ll be right back.”

Remi growled and began dabbing at her nose over and over. It looked like the outpour was getting worse, but thankfully Ian came to her rescue. He handed her a handkerchief and she put it under her nostrils.

“Lift your head,” he said and she tilted her head back. The sensation of the blood sliding back into her nasal cavity nearly made her gag.

“At least I’m good for something,” he chuckled. “You okay?”

“Don’t know where that came from,” Remi muttered. “But I’ll be okay.”

“You told me that on Terra you were sick all the time. Do you feel any different?”

“No,” she said, scowling. “And don’t you start thinking otherwise.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he laughed. “By the way, you can keep that. My first gift to you.”

“And I have nothing for you,” she said through her nasally voice. “I’m terrible.”

“You can pay me back later. A kiss would suffice.”

“I’m bleeding out of my nose and you’re thinking of kisses?”

“I can’t help myself.”

“You’re sick.”

“Then we’re more alike than I thought.”

Remi laughed and shook her head. He was so freaking weird, but at least he made her laugh. Still, laughter wasn’t going to be enough for what was to come. Not by a long shot. And after the lavish life Ian had lived back in Paragon, there was no guarantee that he would stay so chipper. It was part of the reason why she didn’t feel right leading Ian on. He was cute, funny and sweet, but she had a lot more to worry about, and besides, Kace was still in Cimmerian, most likely being tortured while she giggled with the boy next door. The thought made her sick to her stomach.

“I want to be alone,” she said, and Ian bowed and took his leave. He didn’t question why, and she was happy for it. She had to stay focused.

*              *              *

With the help of Ian’s foraging and Harlan’s knowledge of outdoor living, they had a relatively easy time making it across the terrain. Though Remi had been inclined to ask about the Sorcerers back in Paragon, now she realized that the more knowledge they kept to themselves, the better. To the outsider, they looked like a band of kids heading toward a new adventure, kind of like the bands of young Quietus that Kace used to tell her about. They weren’t trying to bother anyone. They were just looking for their version of sport.

Of course, this wasn’t true, and there were some that stared at them with suspicion. But they gave them little reason to pursue. Whenever they passed by a city’s walls or a town’s gates, they kept their eyes forward and continued on, as if they had passed by those places a hundred times. It had been Olivia’s suggestion to avoid as many as possible, and since she seemed so confident in her beliefs, they listened attentively.

The days turned into weeks, and the weeks quickly became months as they walked along, wondering if they would arrive at their destination. At times it seemed like the shard was leading them of its own pleasure and volition, as if it had no intention of taking them where they needed to be. But since they hadn’t seen all of Terra, they continued along, having only each other for company.

For most of the journey, they kept to themselves until they sat down for the night, but once the shard’s light made a sudden sharp turn and told them to go west instead of south, it was like all of their spirits had perked up. Remi wasn’t sure if it was because the change in direction felt like new things were ahead or because they would end up back in Paragon if the shard made one more directional shift.

Whatever the reason, the walks became livelier. Milo would entertain them with tales of his sister and all of the crazy schemes and inventions she would come up with. Harlan would talk about the different creatures that dared to attack his crops, and Ian would speak in detail of the majestic and wonderful things he had seen in the deep countryside of Paragon. After hearing of such wonders, Remi began to hope that they would end up back in Paragon, if only so that she could one day see them.

Eckard actually started to get hyper, asking questions faster than they could be answered until Olivia finally told him to shut up. And as for Olivia herself? She wouldn’t say too much, but Remi could tell that she enjoyed the stories and banter. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t hide her smile.

Remi admired Olivia in that moment, though she wouldn’t dare admit it. Though Remi had been deemed the leader, it was Olivia that had taken over the role, usually choosing the appropriate place to camp for the night, or asking if everyone was still feeling well enough to complete the journey. Though they were all hungrier than they cared to be at times, they were all in good health.

Except for Remi.

Sure, she had the nosebleed in the beginning, but then a whole month had gone by without incident and so she chalked up the moment to an isolated occurrence. When the exhaustion began kicking in, she figured it was because of all the walking they had been doing, but when she compared her stride to that of the others, she saw that that wasn’t the case. She was getting slower while they remained the same. Her hair was beginning to lose a bit of its color. Her hands ached occasionally, and in the third month, Olivia had to start waking her up in the mornings. If she hadn’t, Remi suspected that she would have kept sleeping for quite a few hours more.

She wasn’t what she had been, but that girl was slowly returning.

And that only put in her mind a renewed sense of urgency.

Though she was the most tired of them all, she pushed for them to go on a couple hours more. Whenever she could, she took the lead with the shard so that they were forced to follow at her pace. She did whatever she could to make up for her failing body, but it was only a matter of time before someone noticed. Before someone got concerned enough to ask.

And she wanted the journey to be over before then.

Long before.

“Who’s up for a jog?” she shouted with red shard in hand. Olivia rolled her eyes.

“What for?” she asked, but Remi ignored her. She took a deep breath and began sprinting forward.

Milo fumbled with his suitcase. “What kind of jog is that?” he yelled as she laughed maniacally and kept moving. They all caught up to her easily and she found that a bit disconcerting, but she wasn’t about to let them know.