Irinia felt a sharp pull on her entire body in what seemed like every direction. Only a couple of seconds passed before she felt the ground beneath her feet again. She opened her eyes and blinked. Feeling the ground and air again she relaxed. She had tensed up during their... She did not know what to call whatever they just did.

  She looked up at Croix who was taking in his surroundings. Suddenly, he looked down as if remembering something, grasped her shoulders turned her around holding her hair up.

  “Hey, what are you-” She felt her stomach turn and immediately began to vomit.

  “Happens to everyone the first time they go through a tunnel. Sometimes it takes a minute to catch up with you though. I almost forgot...”

  She knelt beside him for a moment catching her breath while he rubbed her back. “Thank you for holding my hair.” She was not feeling very lady-like at the moment. I guess I don't need to play the role of princess out here though.

  “Of course.” He looked around again and pointed down an alley. “We need to go this way. You ready?” Throwing his hood over his head he started down the alley with Irinia close behind. They passed through several alleys before they reached an open street. When Irinia stepped out of the alley she was stunned.

  In any direction there appeared to be no end to the city. Some buildings dwarfed the castle she grew up in. Smells of fresh bread, perfumes, and smoked meats hung in the air. There were trees growing all over the city. In the streets, on buildings, anywhere they could get some sunlight.

  Croix stopped under one of the trees and reached up to pluck a fruit from its branches. “Apples. They plant them everywhere here. It is the primary export, they keep the city alive.” He took a bite. “And they're delicious too.” He tossed the bitten apple to her. "Try it."

  Croix waited for her to stand next to him before he began to walk. She took a bite from the apple. It was delicious even with her stomach still being off.

  He spoke as he walked, leaving his hood up. “The people here are very relaxed. This is a great place to come and rest after a long journey.” Irinia looked around and saw that he was right. Unlike the hustle everyone had back home, these people were just walking around doing their day's work. No rush at all.

  “The inns have the softest beds and the best food. The brothels... well, they are quite popular as well.” Croix continued. Irinia looked at him with surprise. He laughed, “So I'm told at least.”

  Croix tossed some coin to a man working a bread stand and picked a loaf of bread. He broke it in half giving a piece to Irinia and taking a large bite out of the other half. “Der bread, itzo warm en soff. Dry it.” He said with his mouth full.

  Irinia took a bite. It was delicious! It must have been written all over her face because Croix looked over and grinned boyishly with his cheeks puffed out from all the bread he was still chewing.

  They continued on further while they ate until they came to a large building. Croix stopped and looked up. “Our business is in here today.”

  Irinia took another bite of her bread and looked up at the writing in the wall. Halfway up the building it said “Library”. “What would we have to do at the library?”

  Croix approached the building and opened the doors for her. “This is where you choose what you will do with the rest of you life.” He said with an overly-theatric post. He nodded toward the entrance. “Come on in.”

  Irinia walked inside. The halls were cavernous. It appeared much smaller on the outside. Croix was already heading up the staircase to her right. She had thought she would have more time to think about this. Suddenly she felt very nervous, but she followed him up anyway.

  When Irinia reached the top of the stairs Croix was standing in front of another pair of large doors. There were two torches on both sides of the door, one torch stacked atop the other on each side making. They burned with an odd purple flame.

  Croix stood before the doors and waited for Irinia to stand beside him. “You do not need to tell me your decision. You will tell the sage your choice when he asks it of you. Do not speak until you are spoken to, and just do as I do.”

  "I thought you said that people could sever the binding at any time?"

  "They can."

  "Then by the rest of my life you meant...?"

  He rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, bad attempt at humor. I've never done this before either so I'm kinda nervous myself. Once you're done with your training or when you choose to go a different path, whichever comes first, you can cut the binding."

  She found her courage and nodded to him before staring forward at the door.

  Croix took and a deep breath and let it out. “Let's go then.”

  Irinia could hear the nervousness in his voice. Whatever was about to take place was just as big of a decision for him as it was for her. He opened the doors and cool air burst out. It was dark beyond the doors, but she could see Croix had already started down the hallway so she followed him. As they walked down the corridor purple torches would ignite, illuminating a path. The few few torches that burst into flame startled her. He pulled his hood back to give her a reassuring glance. After five or ten minutes of walking Irinia looked back and realized the torches were extinguishing themselves behind them. She began to walk too fast and bumped into Croix. He just turned and smiled quietly. Finally, she could see bright torches where the corridor opened up. The flames were green – no orange – no... were they changing colors? As they approached this continued with no real pattern.

  A man who looked to be a fit man in his forties was sitting on short chair in the middle of the room at the end of the corridor. His beard was touching the ground in front of him. The man's robes were white with long wide sleeves which extended beyond the his hands.

  Croix walked into the opening and dropped to one knee. He removed his sword and placed it on the ground before him. He did the same for his bow and a small blade that he kept in his boot. Placing both hands on the raised knee he lowered his head. Irinia did the same.

  They sat there together for a long moment before the man opened his eyes and looked up. His gaze slowly went between both of them several times before he spoke.

  “Legacy Knight Croix. It has been many years since I have seen you last.”

  Croix remained silent, his eyes on the stone floor beneath him.

  The man spoke again, “Always with your formalities. We are far too familiar to keep our relationship so. Speak, boy.”

  Did he just call Croix "boy"?

  She figured a friend would know how old he really is. Croix raised his head, but subtly motioned from Irinia to keep her head down.

  “It has been a long time, my friend. I have lost count of the years.”

  The man laughed. “Yet you look and act no different. Except...” Irinia could feel the man's eyes on her. “You bring a friend.”

  “A candidate for binding, Labrim.”

  Irinia lifted her gaze just high enough to see him.

  “You? The great Croix would like to bind to another soul? I thought that I would never see the day.” Labrim stroked his his beard. “Surely you know the consequences of such a thing.”

  Consequences?

  “I do.” Croix's eyes were serious, but he had a genuine smile. It was like the two of them were sharing some private joke.

  Labrim guffawed. “Alright. Does the young lady know of the process?" He looked to her, "You may look up, my dear. Croix here is far more formal with myself than he needs to be. There is no reason for you to be either."

  Irinia raised her head but left her hands on her knee as Croix had done. Labrim's eyes widened. “You'd bring someone so young into the Ouroboros?”

  “I know she's younger than whom we usually recruit, but she is a divine adept. A healer to boot. With the proper training she could contribute much.” He paused for a moment. "She should have an affinity to water too."

  Labrim stroked him beard again. “Hmmm. You know then that the choice is hers to make, correct?”

  Croix nodded, “I do, indeed. I have told her as much.”

  Irinia was still kneeling. There were so many details that had been left out. Aside from living forever and fighting demons, she really had no idea what this ritual about. What had she gotten herself into? Why did she leave her home and entire life behind to join a man that she had just met?

  Labrim focused on Irinia. “Young lady, what is your name?”

  “Irina.” She said quietly.

  “I am sure that you have questions. Ask them now, please. Once the ritual is performed it cannot, under any circumstances, can it be undone for one of you. We will take as much time as necessary to ensure you know all you wish to know.”

  "Croix said I could break the link at any time." She glanced at Croix.

  "You can, he cannot." Labrim's eyes flicked to Croix so quickly she would have missed it if she blinked. "There is a... direction to the benefits of a binding. We do this while new members are training to help increase their change of survival. There is no negative for you, and he was not lying to you. You can sever your binding at any time. His will still be active though."

  "It's fine." Croix interjected.

  "And you are alright with that?" She looked at Croix.

  While looking in her eyes he asked Labrim, "How many have quit once they've seen the truth?"

  "We have had one leave, ever, in our history."

  "You're too curious to give up on everything you could learn with us." He shrugged, "It's not a bribe."

  He paused for a long while and Irinia had thought he was done speaking. When he spoke again he said, “The second portion of the pact with Ouroboros.”

  She tipped her head a little to the side, a habit that should could never seem to rid herself of. “What is Ourobouros?”

  Labrim looked at Croix sharply.

  “Did you just pick up a random girl from the street and bring her here? Did you not tell her anything?” He sounded annoyed.

  Croix sighed, “I met her in Larin. She is the the daughter of my old friend Torin. Through various event I found that she is an adept." He paused a moment, but Larbim nodded to continue. "She was attacked the night of her city's festival, though luckily Toran had hired me to guard her. I triggered the Goddess Lens that I had built there and purged the city. And now here we are.” He paused a moment to read Labrim's expression. Labrim still looked unpleasant. “We came straight here. I've never been bound before so I figured you would be able to explain it better than I could.”

  Croix looked to her before continuing. "If she declines, I'll take her home right away."

  Labrim sat for a long moment stroking his beard. She could not tell if that was a nervous habit or for show. Finally, he spoke again, “You're lucky I trust you.” His head snapped toward Irinia so quickly it startled her. “Listen well, child. This tale is too long for me to tell twice. Every so many passes around the sun, under just the right conditions a child will be born. A child with abilities far beyond that of others. They look the same, they act the same, yet there is something that sets them apart. They are chosen by the gods to fight against anything that threatens to envelop all. While people can use magics with the proper training, those chosen ones can harness forgotten techniques.”

  Irinia was beginning to feel overwhelmed again. She must have made a face because Labrim raised a hand before he continued.

  “A select few have made names for themselves from learning to tap into forbidden streams of magic. Some call these techniques chaos techniques. Those who can wield them are known as Godhands amongst other names.”

  Irinia thought she saw Labrim's eyes flick towards Croix, but it was so fast she could not be sure.

  “Alas, I digress.” Labrim continued, “To state it simply, we are charged, by the gods, to protect the Chain. As well as all residents within the Chain. You are familiar with the Chain, yes?"

  She shook her head.

  "The Chain is... let's take a step back here. I will use some terms that may be unfamiliar to the people of this world, but please listen..."

  Labrim continued to explain what The Chain was. Her world was a planet moving around a star. The star provides light and energy to her planet. Her planet is one of countless planets. Generally, these planets are grouped together into solar systems with move about galaxies. Of which there are many as well. These all exist in a single universe. However, there are many universes as well. There are situations that cause cause mass destruction events within a universe and that can effect adjacent universes as well. The Chain was everything. It encompassed all things, in all worlds, in all universes.

  She nodded. While she did not fully understand, the explanation made sense at a high level.

  "When you make your pact with Croix, you will agree to uphold the pact. You will be tied to him, you will be each be a part of one another. If something happens to one of you, the other will feel it as well.”

  “So if he gets cut by a blade I will feel it as well?” Irinia interjected.

  Labrim laughed loudly. “No, no, my dear. You feel it emotionally. Yes, that would be the best way to express it. If he gets hurt you will be a sad. When something great happens to him you will be happy. He can feel your emotions as well, but not as strongly as you will feel his.”

  He continued, "Just know there is a small side-effect to the Binding. Emotions can be shared across the mana membrane that will connect you two. If you feel sad he will be able to feel it as well. The works for him toward you."

  Irinia thought the idea of having some other person's emotions intrude on her own seemed like a bad idea. She looked over at Croix, his eyes still ahead. He looked over to her. “Again, the choice is entirely up to you. I would be happy to escort you back home you can continue on with your life. Life with me will be difficult to say the least. You will meet new people, travel to many nations, see whole new worlds. You will take lives and protect them. Keep balance in the multiverse. This is the stopping point. Here is where you truly choose."

  Croix's appeared sincere.

  She inclined her head and closed her eyes. She still could not place it, but she felt oddly comfortable with him. Besides, she had always thought that she was meant for more than just sitting around in some castle telling people what to do. She did not want to be a queen. With him she could help not only her world, but others as well.

  “I'll do it.” She said.

  Croix's smile widened which made her giggle.

  Labrim held out his hands and stood. To Irinia's surprise, Labrim had not been sitting on anything at all. He had been floating over the ground!

  “Since you have both agreed to this we shall proceed with a short ceremony.“ Labrim motioned down the corridor that they had entered through. The torches and burst into bright flame in alternating colors down the hall – red, green, purple, blue. Like when they had entered, there was no order to the colors.

  Croix stood and started down the hallway. Irinia looked over to Labrim to see what she should do. He flicked a wrist telling her to go down the hallway. She stood quickly to comply and chased after Croix. When she looked back Labrim was quickly closing the gap even though she was half running.

  “Left.” Croix said abruptly as he turned and passed through the wall. Irinia stopped in front of it not thinking what she saw was real. Then again, her entire perception of reality had been changed in the past few days so why not.

  She did not have enough time to decide to go through the wall before she heard Labrim, “No need to think, just go.” He gently pushed her through the wall. Off balance, she stumbled into a vast domed room. Without any light you could not see the other side. That is until the torches simultaneously lit up.

  Croix was sitting near the middle of the room inside of a large circle engraved into the floor. As Irinia came closer she saw that it was not just one circle, rather it was several concentric rings laid in one another. Intricate symbols and runes were carved onto the floor in between each ring.

  Labrim gestured to the ground across from Croix. “You need to sit there.” He said.

  Irinia looked around the room. Similar carvings were on the ceiling. Looking at the floor then back up to the ceiling she noticed that the patterns matched. The symbols looked familiar, but she could not remember where she had seen them.

  Irinia sat across from Croix in the center circle, the seventh circle. She began to feel a little nervous.

  “Does this hurt, Croix?” She asked him.

  “Just one part, but it's not bad. It will heal in a couple of days. Don't be tempted to heal yourself. It is part of the binding process and it needs to heal on its own time.”

  Labrim approached the circle that was separate from the rest. Irinia was unsure if there was significance in the separation or if it was just a place marker to remind him where to stand. Probably both. He cleared his throat. “Shall we proceed?”

  Croix and Irinia looked up at each other. “If you're ready.” Croix said.

  Irinia bit her lip. Then she nodded. “Yes. If this will allow me to help others – if I can make a difference and see all these amazing things then I will gladly join you.”

  Labrim clapped his hands together in front of himself once. “Let us begin.” He gestured toward Croix. “You lead.”

  Croix removed his blade from its scabbard and slammed a quarter of the blade into the center of the circle. Irinia's eyes widened at the sudden appearance of the weapon.

  She asked, “What is that for?” He put a finger to his lip signaling for her to be quiet. She pressed her lips together, more nervous.

  Labrim raised his hands in the air and began to speak. His sleeves slid up his arms exposing more muscle than she had expected. He was speaking a language she could not understand, like nothing she had heard before. The air around her began to feel charged. Similar to the feeling right before a strong thunderstorm. The rings in the floor behind Croix begin to glow. The outer ring was red. Then the second ring from the outer ring began to glow purple, the third was brown. When she looked down the ring surrounding both her and Croix began to glow blue. Then the circles began rotating.

  Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  Croix reached up and wrapped his hand around the blade. He nodded for her to do the same. Hesitantly, she reached out and wrapped her hand around the blade. Croix squeezed and slid his hand down the blade slightly. Blood began to flow slowly down the blade, over her hand.

  Croix nodded again. It reassured her for some reason. She placed her trust in him and slid her hand down the blade until she felt the steel bite. She winced. Her blood mixed with his as it traveled down the rest of the blade and pooled on the floor. Their blood mixing together was rather gross if she had to be honest.

  Labrim's voice was getting louder and tendrils of color began to rise up from the light in the circles around them. All seven rings were active at this point. Red, blue, green, brown, yellow, white, and one that seemed to absorb all the light near it. The tendrils wrapped around her arms, legs, waist, and her torso. Each felt different; the red tendril was warm, the blue cool, the yellow, white, and dark one did not really feel like everything. She was not concerned with the tendrils until one wrapped around her thigh. Watch yourself. Croix was covered in tendrils from the neck down. His face had hardened though. It looked as if he were in pain. She could see sweat dripping from his forehead.

  The blood pooling on the floor began to flow into the circles. As it did the light in that circle would grow darker. Croix removed his hand from the sword and reached out toward her face. She did the same. His fingers and palm were covered in his blood. He placed the side of his thumb on the bottom of her jaw. Moving his hand in an upward arc he created a crescent of blood from her jaw to her brow. She repeated this for him as well.

  Alright, we're both messy and disgusting. Now what?

  Croix reached up. Labrim was still chanting, but now the words had changed. At least she thought that they had. Nothing that he was saying made any sense. She looked up and realized she must have not been paying attention because Croix's arm was bent at the elbow to hold his hand in the air in front of her. He nodded toward his hand. She grasped his hand and the tendrils snapped around their hands, holding them together, feeding on the blood flowing from their wounds. It felt like he was shaking slightly.

  The place where Croix's blood was smeared on her face began warm. The blood on his face was glowing faintly, the colors changing randomly between the colors of the tendrils. He was looking increasingly uncomfortable. He winced and lowered his head, and suddenly she felt a surge of energy through her entire body. It started in the hand that was tied to Croix and extended to her arm then her shoulder. When it reached her heart it exploded out to the rest of her body. The sudden sensation caught her of guard and she gasped, almost falling backward. Croix gently pulled her toward him to give her some balance.

  Tendrils spiraled up his blade pulling the blood up with it. Each rune that it passed lit with a fierce glow. The light flowing up from the runes as if it were smoke. When the tendrils reached the hilt there was a bright flash. Labrim was silently looking at Croix. His grip on her hand was tight. When the process was finished he released her and fell onto his side breathing heavily.

  “I thought you said that it didn't hurt.” Irinia said shouted. She moved to Croix but Labrim stopped her.

  Labrim smiled, “Not for the one being bound. He who is being bound to however-”

  “Feels like he is being slammed through damn stone wall...” Croix finished for him. He was still breatheing heavily.

  Labrim shrugged. “It is different for everyone. It depends on how powerful the mind and will is with the subject. As well as the size of the mana well...”

  Croix composed himself pushing the pain back. He sat up to face Irinia, “How do you feel?” He breathing was still hard.

  "Like I need a shower..." Croix and Labrim both laughed.

  She felt great, however. She had more energy than she knew what to do with. She could probably run back home from here. There was something else though, something in her mind. She had the feeling that she would get when Mina was sneaking up on her. She knew that someone was there even though they could not be seen.

  “I feel fine, but my head feels...” She searched for the word. “Strange.”

  That's me.

  Irinia's eyes widened. She heard Croix speak, but his mouth did not move.

  Labrim spoke, "Connected through the mana membrane, remember?"

  So that's what that meant...

  Croix stood slowly. “It has its uses.” He said aloud. “Speaking to each other through our minds gives us a bit of an edge. Enemies can't hear our plans, we can communicate over long distances, and we can share private jokes without anyone knowing.”

  I mean look at him always stroking that beard. Trying to make himself look all wise.

  Labrim shot a glance at Croix when she giggled before sitting down in the circle that he had been standing in. “Now that that is done where are you two off to next?”

  Croix picked two wide bracelets off the floor. He held one out to her after sliding one onto his wrist. "This is what will keep the link outside of this room. If you want out, or once your training is done, don't wear it for a few days and the effects will fade."

  She held out her hand and he slid it on her wrist. It was heavier than it looked, but nothing unbearable.

  Irinia held her wrist out in front of herself to get a closer look. It was circular with seven smaller circles evenly spaced around the outside. The entire piece was made of what she guessed was silver with not one blemish. She was no expert smith, but it was expertly crafted so far as she was concerned.

  “You do not have the experience to fully utilize it yet. Telling you may cause you to try to use it prematurely.” Croix stood and approached Labrim extending his unbloodied hand. “Millenian Mountains.”

  He accepted Croix's hand and pulled himself to his feet. “Wise decision. Take what you need from my stores. Feel free to take her around the town before you leave.”

  Labrim nodded to Croix, “I wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors.” He looked to Irinia and nodded. “Young lady, treat the young legacy well. He can teach you much, and you may teach him something as well.” With that he turned and left.

  Legacy?, she thought.

  Long story..., echoed back in her head.

  After helping Irinia to her feet Croix led the way out of the room. The corridor had much better lighting on the way back. She could actually see the doorway that they had used to enter at the end. She looked down at her bleeding hand and held it tightly to attempt to ebb the flow. When they reached the door they went through. Croix turned left and reached into a cabinet producing thick bandages.

  “Wrap your hand tightly with this.” He wrapped it around his hand and tied it off expertly. She was having a more difficult time trying to tie the knot with only one hand. Croix noticed helped her tie it off. She thanked him.

  “How would you like to stay in Orin tonight before we depart in the morning?” Croix raised an eyebrow.

  She thought about it. All of the smells that she took in when she entered the city made her mouth water. Such a large city would take days to properly explore. They wouldn't have enough time for that, but least she could try some new things.

  “That sounds great!” She smiled at him.

  “We will find a place to stay before we go exploring. I'll show you around the town.” Croix laughed. “It might be fun.”

  They walked out of the library together into the street. People all around instantly recognized Croix. They greeted him with smiles, handshakes, and laughter. Several children ran from the other side of the street laughing and giggling. Croix crouched down and stretched out his arms. “Tara, Bren, Pim! You've grown!”

  The children tackled him to the ground and tried to pin him down. After wrestling around for a few minutes, the children gave up on trying to keep the man down as he stood. The girl was sitting on his shoulders and each boy was sitting on an arm. Croix tipped his head in the direction the road was heading.

  “We'll take these kids back home. They could use a good run.” He said.

  Irinia looked back to see the setting sun behind her. How long was she in the library?

  She nodded, “Alright.”

  Croix looked up at who Irinia had guessed was Tara and told her to hold on tightly. “Try and keep up!” He shouted playfully to Irinia before he broke into a fast run. Even while carrying three children he was incredibly fast. He darted in between gatherings of people, jumped over carts, and weaved through the crowd with ease. All the while the children were whooping and screeching in delight.

  “Faster, faster!” Irinia heard one of them shout.

  How could he go faster carrying all those kids? And there he goes. She completely lost sight of him as he darted into the crowd with the children cheering him on. A few seconds later she saw him jump on top of several crates stacked outside of a building with a sign displaying a loaf of bread. A bakery she guessed. He looked back to see where she was. The children were waving their hands screaming, “Hurry, hurry!”

  Croix laughed and jumped up and down on the crates until they tipped and fell, Croix falling after them. The kids toppled on top of him in the street. A baker came running outside to find the source of the commotion outside of his shop. She caught up with them then. Standing a head taller than Irinia, the baker was average height. A bit soft around the middle, but arms that showed hard work. His blond hair was cropped short to his head. His face showed wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. The wrinkles of a man who liked to smile. He looked at the fallen boxes and looked very unpleased.

  “Who did this?” He asked the children.

  They scurried backward quickly leaving Croix laying on the ground. After the last child moved out of his view and he saw the baker he grinned.

  “Bern!” He laughed and held up an hand.

  Bern's jaw went slack.

  “Croix!” Bern helped Croix to his feet. “What brings you here, you mischievous bastard?”

  Croix looked toward Irinia. She curtsied quickly, a habit at this point in her life.

  Bern looked down at her bracelet. “Well, bend me backwards.” He took her hand and kissed it gently. “Milady. A friend of Croix is a friend of mine. Please take a look around the shop and pick out something nice for yourself to eat. It's on the house.”

  “I couldn't.” It seemed as though Croix knew everyone in this town.

  With both hands Bern gestured toward the door. “I insist.”

  “I would take the offer if I were you. Bern's is the best in Orin.” He leaned toward to whisper, “In spite of the obviously ironic name for a baker.”

  “I heard that.” Bern grinned and punched Croix in the shoulder. Croix let his hips sway to take the impact.

  “Alright, I'll go find something. Thank you very much.” Irinia said with a smile. She waited for Croix to join her.

  “Croix, Croix!” The children shouted in unison. They had almost been forgotten in the reunion of friends.

  Croix rubbed the back of his head. “Ah, yes. We should be getting you home now shouldn't we?” He asked a silent question of Bern with his eyes.

  Bern carelessly waved his hand. “Of course, she can wait here.”

  Irinia didn't want to be left alone in the city. She was still uncomfortable being away from home and Croix was the only familiar person here with her. Croix gestured to his wrist. “You won't be lonely. I promise. Bern is good company, and by time you find a good loaf of bread for us to share I should have returned.” He looked down at the children. “Come on, kids.”

  "Hey pretty lady!" One off the boys shouted. "Are you Croix's wife?"

  She felt her whole face turn red. Croix smacked him lightly on the back of the head. "Ow! What?"

  Croix walked off down the street playing with the children as they went. Bern watched the group disappear down the road shaking his head with smile. He chuckled, “Come inside and find something to eat.”

  Leading the way into his shop, he made a sweeping gesture across the room. “I have all kinds of bread – recipes from every nation. Recipes of my own creation that are not available anywhere else.” He said with a smile.

  “Which ones are yours?”

  Bern pointed to the back corner. “I keep them back towards the back since most prefer something familiar.”

  “I would like a recommendation. Which is your favorite recipe that you created?” She was looking around at all the shelves. There were so many options. Breads with different toughness, color, and texture.

  Bern grabbed a thin white cloth and wrapped a loaf of bread before handing it to Irinia. “This one is my favorite. I eat it with every meal.” He said.

  She held the bread close to her nose taking a deep breath taking in the smell and smiled.

  Bern habitually wiped his hands with a towel while leaning against a bread rack. Third rack from the back on the right. “What brings you to Orin? We don't get too many people passing through here.” He paused for a moment. “And I don't see anyone traveling with Croix. He is usually quite the loner. You're the first I've ever seen with him.”

  “Really?” She asked and Bern nodded. “We met in Larin. I was born and raised there.” She was trying her best to not mention her royal roots. Croix never told her how she should approach her past with others. She looked down at the bracelet. It gave her comfort – made her feel less lonely – as though Croix were here with her. Why did she feel such an attachment to him all of a sudden? She made a mental note to ask him later.

  Bern straightened. “That man has helped us in more ways than we could have ever expected. The children love him, he helps everyone around town with anything they ask. He doesn't come here as often as he used to, but when he does the whole town celebrates.” He looked down at his feet for a moment. When he looked up, he continued, “Any of us would do anything for him. He's been alone a long time. I hope you can stick with him for a while.”

  “I think I will.” She pulled a piece from the loaf in her hand and ate it. She looked over to the door just as Croix entered the bakery. She waved since her mouth was full.

  Croix slapped Bern of the back. “How have you been my old friend?” He received a punch to the arm in reply.

  “I have been well.” He gestured around the store. "it's grown a bit since you've visited last."

  The two men conversed and caught up with each other for an hour while Irinia munched on her bread. After they said their farewells Croix and Irinia departed the shop, walking out onto the street. It was dark but the torches and lamps illuminated the city enough to see clearly.

  “What do you say we go and get dinner?” He looked down at half-eaten loaf of bread in her hand. “That is if you are still hungry.”

  “Please. I would love to sample the food here. Everything smells so good.” She looked down the street. Truth was, she was still hungry. Not seeing anything of interest she spun around to look in the opposite direction. She noticed a shop that had looked particularly good – and smelled wonderful too. “That one?”

  “Vilnic's place. He has no chefs working for him. The wait is a bit long, but it's worth it.”

  "He makes all the meals himself?" She asked. Croix nodded.

  “Where is he from?”

  “Vvindar. You can usually tell because everyone from there has names that start with 'V'. Bit of an odd custom, but it works.”

  Irinia had never heard that before. An odd tradition indeed. They approached the door. A thick wooden door polished so heavily that gleaned even in the lamp light. A large triangle was carved in the door pointing downwards. Croix traced the sides of the triangle, down and up.

  “See? Anything that could possibly represent a triangle they revere.” He pointed a thumb to the door. “And stamp on everything.” They pushed through the door and Irinia was surrounded with many delicious smells. She could see unfamiliar foods on a buffet. The smells though, so new. She had to try some.

  A man was hunched over a counter in the back of the restaurant cutting fruits, vegetables, and meats. Eyes close to his work as he cut each piece with accuracy, each equally sized. He must have felt them staring at him because he looked abruptly in the middle of a cut. As he stared, the beginning of a grin began to spread across his face.

  “Croix!” He threw his arms up releasing the knife. It hit the ceiling with a thud sticking deep into a beam. “It has been years! Where have you been?”

  “Many places. We were hoping for a meal. I trust you still make the best Vvindi food in Orin?”

  “We?” Vilnic peered behind Croix. Irinia wiggled her fingers for a short greeting. He nodded. “I see. Of course, it's still the best. I can't believe you would ever doubt it... It's easy to be the best when one is the only person in town that is actually from the country.” He tipped his head back and laughed.

  “I will make you two a meal to die for.”

  Vilnic strolled back behind the counter and pushed through a set of doors. They were cut diagonally instead of down the middle like the doors that she was accustomed to. The triangular doors swung back and forth in tandem on their hinges after him.

  “Is there anyone is this city that you don't know?” Irinia sat down in the chair that Croix had pulled out from the table for her. “I only ask because every street, every shop, and every secret room we have visited someone has enthusiastically greeted you.”

  Croix shrugged. “I spent a lot of time here during the war. Because of this city's location it is very simple to guard and made a formidable base of operations. The entire army of the east was commanded from Orin.” He looked around the restaurant with distant eyes. “I sat in this very room and ate before I went into each battle. I shared meals with many men and women. Many of which were their last meals. “

  He quickly recovered, "I liked it so much I used to visit and stay here all the time. Life has kept me away recently though which is likely the cause of the enthusiasm you see."

  He leaned back in his seat abruptly and tapped the table rapidly for a moment and a forced smile spread across his face. “I can't wait for you to try this food. It's delectable.”

  Vilnic emerged from the kitchen balancing several plates on his hands and harms. It was obvious that he had been doing this for a long time. Skillfully he weaved around the counter and stopped in front of their table. The large plates held their food did not tip or jingle. Irinia wondered if the platters were tied to him. The plates were set down before them with precision, directly in between the silverware already on the table. There was a cooked meat that Irinia did not recognize beautifully decorated with sprigs of odd herbs. She pulled her hair back and leaned in for a closer look. The aroma coming from the plates made her mouth water.

  "Would you have the time to eat with us, old friend?" Croix gestured to the open chair at the table.

  Vilnic looked around the empty dining room and out the window at the sun. He sat in the chair resting his arms on the table, "Certainly, it's still a few hours until the dinner crowd will even head to the streets. Eat late here, they do. What brings you back to Orin? I haven't seen you in a couple of years."

  Croix recounted the reasons they had come to Orin, the binding ritual being on the top of the list. He was quiet for a moment. "I have also come here in hopes that you have any information to go with this wonderful meal."

  Vilnic sighed and looked down at Irinia's bracelet. He raised his eyebrows in what she could only guess was surprise and nodded his head approvingly. "Never thought I'd see you with a student of your own. What news I have is not the greatest news, but it is news nonetheless."

  Croix took a bite of meat from his fork and a swallow of mead. He motioned for Irinia to eat. She had been listening to the conversation instead. She began to eat as they began their conversation.

  "The daem have been on the move again..." Vilnic began.

  Croix nodded, "I noticed. When I went to Larin the city was attacked by sentinels. Full assault, like they had planned it. Their Lens is currently inoperable so I'm hoping they don't regroup too soon."

  "They have made their way so far south already?" Vilnic said, surprised. Croix nodded again, his face serious. "Usually when the daem recover their progress is slow. This only helps to support my suspicions. There is something different about this Shadow... The daem are far more aggressive than they normally are this early on."

  "New leadership perhaps?"

  "Perhaps, but I don't think so. To me, this looks like desperation. I was hoping you would be able to tell me more. You've been hunting them down for centuries. I had figured you would have a better idea."

  Croix took another bite and offered some to Vilnic who politely refused. He waited a moment before he responded. "I worry they have found a new method to move about. There is no way that they could have made it to Larin in a few weeks' time. Not on foot at least."

  "Could they have used the same method to get to Larin as we did to get here?" Irinia offered quietly.

  "The daem can only travel through their own gates, and they can only have one open at a time. If they were using ours, we would know." Croix said.

  Vilnic nodded in agreement, "That is true, but the girl has a good point. If they found a way to do this on their own, then they could appear anywhere at any time. Remember their behavior at the end of the last Shadow?"

  Irinia smiled, pleased with her suggestion.

  "Then if they really are jumping around then..." Vilnic looked at Croix expecting an answer.

  Croix shrugged, "New breed most likely."

  Irinia realized she was leaning forward onto the table. "They can create different breeds?"

  "Every once in a while, a new kind of daem will appear with a new and unique technique that sets it apart from the others. Up to this point you've probably only seen sentinels. There are all kinds of them though." Irinia nodded. Croix took another bit of his dinner before continuing. "A new kind of daem that can teleport others around is a dangerous idea. I'll do what needs to be done."

  Croix set three gold pieces down on the table. Vilnic waved them away. "Nonsense, I cannot accept your coin. The meal is a gift."

  "I appreciate it, my friend, but you know I have little need for money. You have a business to maintain." Croix smiled, "Consider it a gift from an old friend. You gave me a lot of support back then. Not only that, but you've always managed to provide me with the most useful information that the city has to offer." He clapped Vilnic firmly on the shoulder.

  Vilnic placed his hand on the coins showing acceptance. "Thank you. You should be on your way if you are to find a suitable room for the night."

  "And you have a city to feed."

  Vilnic chuckled, "My business is not quite as good as that, but there will be a crowd tonight." He reached out a hand. "Good luck. May the gods keep you from harm and guide your blade." They shook hands and Irinia said her goodbyes. They left with full bellies to find an inn to stay in for the night. The streets outside the restaurant had calmed since they had entered. The sun was lower in the sky, less than an hour left of sunlight perhaps. Croix gestured and began to walk to another alley. Irinia fell into step alongside him.

  "Vilnic said he was expecting a crowd tonight," she looked around, "but there don't seem to be very many people out."

  "Folks here tend to work until sundown in order to take full advantage of the day. As soon as the sun goes down, these streets will fill up."

  "We should hurry to find an inn then?"

  Croix laughed softly. "He was just being polite. There is only one inn in the city and the number of travelers here is few. We're almost there."

  They rounded a corner and the alley opened into the city center. I large round area lined with various shops and stands. This must be like the town center like back home. The inn was directly across from where they entered. There were tents pitched around the front with fires burning next to each of them. Irinia noticed that the tents and fires were separated evenly so that a strong wind wouldn't set any of the tents ablaze. She looks over to Croix. He was rubbing the back of his head with his hand.

  "Well then," he said.

  She laughed quietly to herself. How do those words taste?

  Croix laughed. "Quite bitter with a dab of surprise."

  Irinia stopped suddenly, surprised. Had she said that out loud? She remembered the mental link and realized she would probably need to be more careful about what she thought.

  "Let's go see if they have any open rooms." Croix walked through the tents with Irinia close behind. She saw a man in a deep blue shirt sitting alone inside one of the tents. He looked very unhappy. When they reached the doors covered in intricate drawings and carvings, Croix pushed them open. She let her hand pass over the wood and was surprised by how smooth it was. She didn't even feel the carvings beneath her fingers, rather the surface felt flat. The carvings were there but were under something. She shrugged and decided to ask Croix about it later. She saw that he was talking in hushed tones to the attendant at the desk. As she approached, she could hear what they were saying.

  "...told that you were in town. Please don't let anyone outside know, but I saved you a room. It's the least that I could do after-" The attendant stopped speaking abruptly as someone knocked on the door. Then he noticed Irinia standing next to Croix. "I'm sorry, sir. I was expecting you to be travelling alone. The room has only one..." He trailed off again.

  "It's the only room available?" Croix asked.

  "As I said sir, when I heard you were in Orin I hid a key away so that..."

  "What is going on? King's caravan?"

  The attendant shrugged, "Something like that, but I'm not too sure why they're..."

  "I understand,” Croix reached out and grabbed the key from his hand. "Thank you. I'll repay you somehow."

  Croix led Irinia to a staircase on the east side of the room. He stopped and gestured for her to go first. She went up the stairs and stood in a narrow hallway.

  "We should get to bed. We have an early start tomorrow." She heard Croix's voice from the stairs behind her. He looked down at his key and walked to the seventh door on the right. Using the key, he opened the door. "He always knows which room I'd like." She heard him say from inside.

  She stepped into the room and saw ornate patterns in the wood, fine carvings around the windows, and-one bed. The bed had large, padded pillows and several comfortable-looking blankets covering it. Croix took several of the pillows and tossed them to the floor by the window, followed by one of the thick blankets.

  "Croix, I don't think I could sl-"

  "It's fine," He interrupted and pulled the blanket on the bed back for her a bit. She paused for a moment wondering where this was going. She was not ready for that sort of thing. However, before she could finish her thought Croix dropped onto the floor by the window. He laid his head on one of the pillows he had taken from the bed and covered himself with a spare blanket. Now she felt bad for assuming.

  "Croix..." He turned his head slightly toward her in acknowledgement. "There's plenty of room up here for both of us."

  He waved a hand dismissively, "The lady gets the bed. I usually sleep in the woods anyway. You, princess, will grow used to it in time. For now, enjoy the bed. Have a good night's rest." He looked back out the window, staring out at the night sky.

  Irinia went to the end of the bed, bringing a pillow with her to see what he was looking at. All she could see was a few stars, one brighter than the others in the eastern sky. She had not travelled so much before. Her eyelids quickly grew heavy and sleep quickly took her.