Sky of Wind by Emily Deady

Chapter 26

“Solano!” Meena cried when she spotted her husband in the main bailey of the fort. He was still in the company of Jules and Younn, so she remembered to use the fake name she’d given him. But the excitement in her voice was real. She was genuinely glad to trade Ezra’s terse company for Sol’s. Keeping Ezra distracted with silly nothings was exhausting.

Hearing her greeting, Sol made his way through the busy outdoor space, a fake smile plastered his face.

Meena hoped that under the smile was at least a little relief to see her as well.

“Rainy Meena who isn’t mine,” Sol bowed over her hand as he approached.

Meena’s frustation with Ezra instantly disappeared.

“Princess,” Jules, who had followed Sol, bowed when he reached her. “You look as beautiful as ever.”

“Thank you, Captain,” she replied. She was tired of pleasantries. She wanted to speak with Sol and learn what he had gathered.

“Councilor,” Jules said to Younn, who had also followed them. “Let us leave the two lovebirds to themselves for a moment. Surely they have much to say after their long separation.”

Jules led Younn back into the crowd of soldiers and townsfolk.

“Anything?” Meena whispered as soon as they were out of earshot.

“Nothing,” Sol responded.

“Nothing?” Meena repeated, her heart falling. “Nothing at all?”

“Some small things. I know where the prison cells are. Those would be an ideal location for security, but I don’t think Gareth would want his precious cargo in close proximity to prisoners he didn’t trust. I still don’t have any idea where it could be. Our dear general and captain were quite close lipped and annoyed that I had followed them.” He smirked a little at that.

Meena slipped her hand inside his arm. “That is not nothing,” she said. “Every little bit of information gets us closer.”

“It’s not enough.” Sol’s face went back to its stoic mask.

“The night is not over yet,” Meena replied.

“The Goldenreign Feast is tomorrow,” Sol said.

“We can do it on a different night, then,” Meena replied. “The Goldenreign Feast is an ideal time, but it is not the only time.”

“I am concerned about Younn’s presence,” Sol whispered.

Meena stood on tiptoe, bringing her ear closer to Sol’s mouth to hear him better.

“He and Jules have not yet spoken about why he is here,” Sol continued.

“Then follow them,” Meena said.

Sol nodded, his eyes watching the two men they spoke of.

Meena followed his gaze to see Jules, goblet in hand, introducing the councilor to several of his higher ranked soldiers on the other side of a table of food.

“I’ll follow them if they leave to speak in private.” Sol stepped backward, hiding in the shadow of the thick sandstone wall surrounding the city.

Disappointed to see him go, Meena reached out and grabbed his wrist. Touching his hand still felt too intimate. “Try not to think about it,” she whispered.

“Think about what?” he whispered back down at her.

“The eyes. So many eyes.” Meena grinned at her own jest, recalling Sol’s comment at their wedding.

Sol smirked the tiniest smile. “Well, now I’m thinking about it,” he muttered.

As Sol melted into the shadows, Meena turned her attention to the lively bailey.

Tables of food lined the sandy ground. Lit torches along the wall shed a pleasant glow on the smiling faces. The center of the space was left empty, Meena assumed for dancing or festivities as the night grew on.

She wiggled her toes in her satin slippers. The room was filled with so many people. People she had never met, or communicated with, or danced with. Sol might be overwhelmed, but she felt a part of her heart sing with excitement. This, she could do. And enjoy.

And by keeping the attention off of her husband, she could give him a chance to observe what he needed to.

“Princess,” an older man called as he approached her. His well tailored doublet was decorated with embroidered symbols denoting his impressive rank. “I have not seen you since you were a little girl.”

Meena smiled warmly. She had no memory of meeting the Falqri soldier, but she’d spent her life meeting important people. “My father sends his regards.” King Frederich had done no such thing, but mentioning her father was the easiest way to appease important people whom she did not remember.

The soldier held out his hand. “Dance with me and tell me the news from Iseldis?” he asked.

Meena smiled, dropping her hand into his. Sol was on her mind, but she had to remember he naturally was quiet and sneaky, like a real cypher. He would do better without her drawing attention to them. Laughing, she let herself be carried away into the dance.

After chatting with the older soldier, Meena took a moment to herself, searching the room for Sol.

Younn and Jules were still standing by the food and draining their goblets.

Sol was standing just outside the perimeter of the dance floor. Another soldier was speaking to him. Sol seemed to be listening intently, but Meena could catch the way his eyes scanned the room. He was waiting for Jules and Younn to make their move.

“My lady?” A young man bowed in front of her. “Are you lacking a partner?” He held his hand out hopefully.

With a final glance at Sol, Meena accepted the young man’s hand. He seemed to have the situation under hand.

Her young partner spun her around dizzily, and she basked in the lights and movement and music.

“Thank you,” she said at the end of the dance, dropping the young man’s hand. She glanced around the room, looking for Sol, hoping he had made progress. She could not find him immediately, which bode well. She also could not find Jules or Younn.

Her heart beat rapidly from the exercise. She hoped Sol would remain hidden and not put himself in danger.

“Another?” The young man held out his hand again, and Meena smiled up at him. He, too, was breathless, and clearly enjoying the night. She reached out to place her hand in his, when a floppy mess of dark curls caught the corner of her eye. She stood up on her toes to peer over the crowd.

Sol was standing near a table, nodding along as another old soldier talked his ear off.

Meena dropped back down on her feet. “Thank you, that was delightfully fun, but I must see to my husband before your old superiors bore him to death.” She squeezed the young soldier’s hand.

He laughed as she dropped their contact. “Between you and me, that is highly possible.”

Meena wound her way through the crowd, using the tired but courteous smile she’d perfected when she needed to get past people who wanted to speak with her.

Approaching Sol, Meena could hear the desperation in his voice. “I really must find my wife,” he said.

“Of course, my boy,” the soldier—also highly ranked—responded. “You must introduce me to the princess.”

Sol had no response for that, but Meena slipped her hand into his arm, letting him know she was present.

Sol started slightly at the contact, but dropped his head, smiling down at her with true relief.

The smile Meena gave back to him was not fake.

“I was just looking for a dance partner,” Meena said, smiling at the soldier. Though, upon closer inspection, she had no desire to spend time in physical contact with him. His eyes were dull and his smile flat.

“I would be happy to dance with you,” Sol said, missing her meaning.

“Thank you, my dear.” She patted his hand, emphasizing the term of endearment which Jules and Ezra frequently used for each other. “I was hoping you could introduce me to your friend here.”

“Oh, yes, of course.”

Before Sol could actually make the introduction, Meena held out her hand to the soldier. “A dance?”

“Yes, Princess.” The soldier took her hand, his bland eyes opening wide.

Meena used her free hand to subtly push Sol away.

She did give herself the liberty of a satisfying eye roll behind the soldier’s back as they walked to the dancing area.

Sol woundthrough the inner halls of the thick wall, moving in the direction he had seen Jules and Younn go.

With the number of people flowing in and out of the area—word about welcoming the councilor had spread fast—Sol did not feel conspicuous exploring the fort.

Hopefully, the night of the feast would be even more crowded.

Assuming that the two men had gone to speak somewhere in private, Sol tended toward the less populated areas. The luxury of the furnishings also made it easier to guess which part of the fort the superiors would inhabit.

Sol caught a glimpse of a door closing and instinctively rolled under a bench right outside it.

“You asked to see me, Councilor?” Jules’s voice sounded through the door. “I apologize that your welcome was not what it should have been. We received no word of your coming and to be honest, it took us by surprise.” Jules’s voice sounded strained.

“Do not worry, Captain,” Younn replied, his voice big without being loud. “You’ve only been at your post here a few months. My aim is not to criticize you.”

Sol could feel the tension disperse in the other room during the comfortable silence that followed.

“What can I do for you, Councilor?” Jules asked, his voice far more relaxed.

“I would like my presence to be attributed to the Festival of Goldenreign, as my real purpose here is more . . . delicate.”

Sol stopped breathing. He needed to hear every word that was about to be said.

The latch on the door squeaked and Sol’s heart skipped a beat as the door shook. Did they know he had followed them?

“You trust your men, here?” Younn asked in a very quiet voice.

“Yes, Councilor,” Jules responded. He kept his voice quiet. “Should I not? Have you discovered a traitor in our ranks?”

“I meant your men guarding the door,” Younn responded. He paused. “My information is not for anyone’s hearing.”

“Oh.” Jules said. “I did not post a guard. One moment.”

Sol heard the door open and Jules called loudly down the hall.

Moments later, two soldiers flanked the door. The one on Sol’s side sat down on the bench right above him.

Sol froze, listening as intently as he could.

“Should I be concerned about a traitor in your ranks?” Younn questioned. “Why would you ask such a question unless you were concerned about it?”

Sol could imagine the intimidating glare Younn was likely directing at Jules.

“No,” Jules responded, his voice sounding strained once again. “The fort transitioned to my care more smoothly than I could have hoped. It is the greatest honor and best assignment I have ever received. Please, tell me how I can serve you.”

Sol wanted to take back his wasted pity. Jules was a servant of the enemy, no matter how charming he seemed otherwise.

“You received a special shipment from Chendas a few weeks ago, did you not?” Younn asked after another evaluating pause.

“Yes, Councilor,” Jules responded quickly and emphatically. “The greatest care has been seen to it, and all of His Majesty’s orders regarding it have been dutifully followed. Would you care to see it?”

Sol felt his skin prickle in anticipation.

“Yes, but quickly. I have other matters to attend to,” Younn replied.

Sol had a feeling that he was the other matter Younn was referring to. “I would urge you to increase the defensive measures you have taken.”

That was going to make Sol’s task more difficult.

“Increase the defensive measures?” Jules asked. “Do you have reason to believe it is unsafe, here in the strongest fort of the five kingdoms?” His voice may have held a touch of a challenge in it.

“Captain,” Younn responded. “I will speak with you frankly. Iseldis has chosen not to align itself with our king, you may not have heard this news. The royal family is currently confined to their palace while our forces control every entry and exit into Iseldis from the Chendas border to the sea.”

“That is grave news indeed,” Jules responded. “They have made a poor choice. Except, their Princess Philomena is here in Falqri as we speak, she is staying as a guest in my home. I did not realize the situation had turned so dire.”

“It would be an unanswerable crime if His Majesty’s possession fell to the enemy’s hand while Princess Philomena is here in your fort, Captain.”

Even Sol could hear the veiled threat in the man’s words.

“I, and my men, have committed to guarding it with our lives, Councilor.”

Sol shrank deeper into his hiding place, instinctively shying away from the tension, as well as expecting the two men to walk through the door at any second.

As expected, the latch of the door squeaked again, and this time, Sol saw the door press open.

The general stepped through first.

“Councilor,” Jules said as he followed him through the door. “Was it not you who permitted the princess and her husband to come to Falqri?”

The general’s foot faltered for a moment. “You must be mistaken,” he said.

Sol tilted his head at the blatant lie.

“Woe indeed, should anything befall our king’s possession should it fall into enemy hands while the princess is here.” Jules’s voice held a hint of satisfaction, even though his words merely echoed what Younn had already said. “Fortunately for me, Princess Meena is hardly one to be intimidated by.”

“Never underestimate the power of a pretty face,” Younn said over his shoulder as they continued down the hall.

Sol bristled at the man’s callous words about Meena.

“You misunderstand me, Councilor,” Sol replied. “Anyone who has met the princess would know she is as bright as she is beautiful. But it is also clear that she has not a bone of guile in her at all. No, fortunately for us, I believe she and her prince are truly and disgustingly in love.”

Sol smiled, pleased that their ruse was working so well.

“I am not here to discuss the specifics of Philomena’s romantic entanglements,” Younn said. “Lead me to where you are keeping it while the festivities are in full swing.”

“This way, Councilor.” Jules took the lead. “Though, I don’t believe you can call their relationship a romantic entanglement if they are married.”

Sol remained under the bench until the two guards left as well, then he silently crept from his hiding place and followed them through the dim halls.

Meena smiledin surprise when Sol stepped between her and her dance partner.

He held out his hands, taking the place of her partner, and she happily accepted his wordless invitation.

Her heart pounded wildly from the exertion of the dance and from the spark of excitement she could see behind Sol’s eyes. He had something to tell her.

The music was playful and loud, laying down an infectious rhythm.

Sol spun them around, dexterously moving them away from the center of the dance floor.

Meena relished the feeling of his hands holding hers, guiding her and swaying with her to the music.

She knew he was pulling her away to discuss what he’d learned. And she was anxious to hear it.

But a small selfish part of her wanted to remain in the dance with him. She wanted to see him throw back his head and laugh with the intoxicating cadence of the rhythm.

She wanted an excuse to hold on to his hands for a moment longer.

As Sol spun them to a stop, leading them away from the dance and into the crowd of bystanders, Meena felt a stab of guilt for her thoughts.

She’d lived her life protected from harm. Protected even from the more cruel truths of the world. She wasn’t here for her own satisfaction. This wasn’t about her. She needed to do everything in her power to help her family protect the people of Iseldis from Gareth’s cruelty.

Sol still held her hand, leading her to a shadowed staircase she hadn’t noticed.

She gripped his hand appreciatively. This wasn’t about her, but she was here.

And Sol was here. Ruse or not, they had developed a friendship that was important to her, even if it was not important to him.

“What did you learn?” she asked.

“Younn knows we are here for the receptacle,” Sol replied, his voice low. “We have to move quickly.”

Meena squeezed his hand reassuringly, looking up the stairs at their destination. As they were moving away from the bright celebration below, Meena noticed the stars overhead for the first time since they’d arrived in Falqri. She threw her head back in awe, trusting Sol to lead her safely. “They’re so beautiful!” she whispered, her jaw hanging open.

“The stars?” Sol asked. “Have you never seen stars before?”

“Of course I have,” she responded. “But there’re trees and torches in Iseldis or maybe I just forget to look up.”

Sol stopped at the top of the staircase, tilting his head back as well.

“They are just so much brighter here. More intense,” Meena whispered in awe.

“Wait till I show you the stars from the western shore of Istroya,” Sol said.

Meena dropped her gaze from the stars overhead to the sparkle in Sol’s eyes. Had he just promised to show her the stars from his home?

“Meena, look ahead,” Sol whispered, his voice tickling her ear as he pointed to the edge of the wall.

Meena dropped her head. They were standing atop of the outer wall of the fortress. Directly in front of them, she could see the endless horizon of the sea. Dropping Sol’s arm, Meena ran forward to get an unobstructed view. Leaning over the stone wall, she instantly wanted to fly over the edge and become part of the sparkling blue in front of her.

“It’s so close but so far away.” The wall was built straight out of the cliff, looking over the edge of it was dizzyingly beautiful. An entire cliff side below her, the sandy beach stretched out, eventually swallowed by foaming white waves.

A bright moon in the cloudless sky reflected its light in the vast expanse of water, bouncing off the glossy surface as bright as daylight.

“There are stars,” Meena breathed. “In the water!” She turned quickly to find Sol.

He was standing next to her, the bright moon also reflecting in his open eyes as a very small smile graced his face.

It was the sweetest smile Meena had ever seen.

She turned back to the sea, her eyes dancing over the sparkling blue stars which erupted by the thousands whenever a wave hit the sand. Like tiny pinpricks of bright blue light, they shimmered over the surface of the sand and along the line of the crashing waves. Unlike the stars, however, the sparkling lights faded after a few moments, giving their brightness to the next wave of explosive blue.

Footsteps sounded behind her, and another couple walked by on the lonely wall.

Sol stepped behind her, placing his arms around her with his hands on the railing at her side.

“What is it?” Meena asked, relishing the gift of his closeness, and happy to speak of the waves until they were alone once more.

“No one knows exactly what causes it. Something in the water reacts to pressure, creating the burst of light.” His voice rumbling over her ear made the moment more magical than she could have imagined.

“Is it always here in Falqri?” Meena asked. “Have you seen it before? Does the sea do this on—” Meena caught herself in time, though the other couple was likely out of earshot. “On the shores of Allys?”

“No, not in Allys,” Sol responded, his hands nudged closer to hers on the railing, brushing his arms down her shoulders. “But I’ve seen it in other places. It only takes place during goldenreign.”

Meena wanted to ask him if it was a product of magic, but she remembered to keep that question for later. Instead, she relaxed, letting her back close the small distance between them as she leaned into his chest. “I love it,” Meena said.

“I think it has something to do with the warmer weather,” Sol said. “The changing temperature of the water allows for new organisms to grow.”

Sol stood back, removing his closeness. “They’re gone.”

Meena instantly stood up straight, twisting around to face Sol.

Sol had merely been doing his part to keep up their ruse. He had not leaned closer to her to be, well, closer to her. She needed to stop getting so distracted. “What else did you learn?” Meena asked, her voice serious.

Sol glanced around, as if to ensure they were truly alone before he spoke. “It’s in the cellar.”

“The cellar? Below the kitchens?”

“Yes,” Sol said.

“But wouldn’t that bring too much attention to it? I’m assuming the kitchen is very busy,” Meena asked.

“That was my exact thought.” Sol sounded impressed with her reasoning. “There’s a separate entrance up one of the canyons in the cliff.”

“Oh,” Meena made a sound with mouth, to let Sol know he had been heard. She just did not know what his revelation meant.

“I’ll go out again tonight and scour the northern cliff side. We can still carry out the plan tomorrow night.”

Meena’s hands suddenly felt clammy. “Sol, we don’t even have a plan. There will be guards, and locks, and more guards.” Meena’s voice trailed off. She didn’t want to think of Sol being hurt. Suddenly, this adventure was getting too real.

“We will have made contact with Neven by tomorrow night, hopefully,” Sol added. “A secret entrance from the side should not be heavily guarded and between the two of us, with our magic unleashed, Neven and I should be able to take them down and empty the magic receptacle.”

“You know how to do that?” Meena asked, her fears not assuaged by his confidence.

“You displace the chaos magic with harmony magic. I’ve practiced on small items when I got the chance.”

“Won’t that require an awful lot of harmony magic?”

“Yes, but harmony is the natural antidote to chaos,” Sol explained. “The more chaos you displace, the more effective the present harmony is.”

Meena nodded. “And what is my part in it?”

Sol paused, a little of his confidence leaving him. “I need you to keep Jules and Younn busy so they don’t notice anything amiss.”

“Are you sure you won’t need more help than that?” Meena asked, slightly disappointed in her role, though she wasn’t surprised.

“If anything goes wrong,” Sol said, leaning down a touch closer to her. “I don’t want you anywhere near.”

“I’m not here to remain safe,” Meena said. She wanted to feel touched by his words, but she didn’t. She felt protected, but not in a good way.

“It’s not because I don’t trust you,” Sol said. “It’s just that . . . if you are there, I will protect you.”

Meena could no longer see the moon reflected in his eyes. “I am not another one of your responsibilities,” Meena whispered. He did not want to create ties. “I will keep Jules and Younn busy or whatever else you need me to do.”

She swallowed, hoping the darkness was enough to cover her face.