I join Fal for breakfast in his rooms in the morning, feeling his pleasure and relief that I am feeling better, that I am back to his Blackbird, the sister he is used to seeing. Our meal is simple, just leftover cold meat squished between cheese and bread and washed down with a cup of coffee, spiked on my part.

  “So,” I begin the conversation, “you wanted a full report from me?”

  “Mm.” Fal says, raising his forefinger, gesturing for me to wait. His mouth is full. I smirk, amused.

  “You did that on purpose!” He playfully accuses me once he has chewed and swallowed.

  “Did what?” I am all innocence.

  “Waited until I had my mouth full before you asked me a question!”

  “Maybe I did, and maybe I didn’t.” I sip at my coffee, peering at my brother over the rim of the cup, my eyes sparkling with mirth. He grins at me.

  “So, the report?” I ask, setting my cup down.

  He sobers. “Yes, I did want one, but only if you’re up for it.” I feel his mind nudge mine, looking for any sign of yesterday’s distress. Of course, there is none.

  I smile at him. “You’re sweet, Fal. But I wouldn’t do something I didn’t think I could handle.”

  “Alright.” He says, gesturing for me to begin. “Let’s hear it then.”

  I hesitate, gathering my thoughts, then begin.

  “Daniel is the linchpin of it all.” I tell Fal. I have no wish to have Daniel and Fal at each other’s throats, but I must tell the truth. I have to make this report, and then…

  ‘And then’ will take care of itself.

  I continue: “If he is taken out of the equation, it will all fall apart. He is the one thing holding together the High Clan Lords’ alliances. I’m not saying that the Lords like him, but they do tolerate him and they need him, and that’s what counts. During the time I traveled with him, he received many missives from the Clan Lords and sent missives in return. He thinks that you’re evil and that you need to be dethroned. He’s trying to rally the Lords against you and, for the most part, he’s succeeding. I don’t know how many lesser lords are with him; I didn’t get to see him in action in Vezgaxur, but I’m guessing that he’s not in very good standing with the lord of that city, given the situation in which we met. And obviously he didn’t get anywhere with Amyry and Azaes.”

  “Obviously.” Fal remarks, crossing one leg over his other knee and pensively tucking the tip of his forefinger between his lips.

  “I’d advise extreme caution in dealing with the paladin.” I tell Fal a bit sternly. “More caution than you’ve shown to date. He’s more powerful than you think and, Fal, his God fights for him.”

  Fal snorts in amusement. “Come now, Blackbird, you can’t really believe that?”

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  “I do.” My tone is dead serious. “I have seen it, Falkirk. I have seen this God actively intervene for His followers, I have seen Him completely destroy a tiefling mage, a full company of soldiers, and a demon in a virtual, giant fireball. I have seen Him power mage shields indefinitely, give His followers supernatural speed and resilience during battle, and I have seen Him bring people back from death.”

  Fal scoffs lightly, still amused. “Really, Ava, when have the gods ever been useful or important?”

  “You don’t understand, Fal. This God is important, somehow. He protects His own. You might not even be able to get close to the paladin. Not to mention, Daniel’s friends are powerful as well. Even if you could best their combined might, let alone that of Daniel himself, I don’t see how you could best Elhim.”

  Fal is silent at this, regarding me with a coolness I have never seen directed towards me by him.

  “Just… be careful.” I say, nearly pleading with him. “I have no wish to lose you.”

  Fal smirks at this. “Don’t worry about me, Blackbird. We’ll see just how well Daniel and his God do when they face me. I seriously doubt they would be a match for me. I’ll be fine.”

  Eliana’s healing flashes into my mind, along with my own, followed by the images of Divine fire and charred corpses. But I bite my tongue and make no other comments, frustrated though I am. I know I could never change my brother’s mind on the subject. I shove the memories aside and continue my report.

  “Daniel is currently en route to Tyrhyld, Antony’s home. It’s apparently been attacked by pirates.”

  “Mm.” Fal remarks.

  “From there I have no idea what he plans to do or where he plans to go.”

  “And how did things end up in Azmal?” Fal asks. I tip my head back over the rim of my chair and stare at the ceiling. A sigh pushes itself from my lungs.

  “Daniel is basically lord of that city now. Like I said, he’s powerful. I don’t know if he’ll stay on as ruler of Azmal; he’s not really one for thrones and such, but I just don’t know. When I left, he was making Azaes’s men stand trial.”

  “I see.” Fal sits, staring off into space for a moment, lost in thought.

  “Fal,” I venture to ask, “Do you know what happened in Ciliren? The town is a mess and the people are suspicious and hostile.” Fal looks at me, a faintly amused smile curving his lips.

  “We might have had a skirmish there.” He tells me.

  “Oh.” Is all I can think of to say.

  “They repelled us. I’ll be returning back there, though. Soon. This time they won’t be denying me.”

  “I see.” I reply. And I do. This piece of news only reinforces my decision. I watch my brother as his thoughts wander once more and his attention turns entirely away from me. I drain my coffee to the dregs and set the cup on the table with a soft clunk.

  “Fal.”

  “Hm?” He looks at me.

  “I’m excusing myself now, if you don’t need anything else. I’ve got some other stuff to get done.”

  He regards me for a moment, still searching for the distress of yesterday. I offer him a reassuring smile. After a minute he nods.

  “Of course, Blackbird. If you need me at all, I’ll be around.”

  He gives me a smile as I leave.

  I head immediately to my own rooms. Once there I change into more practical clothing than the gown I’m currently wearing. I then slip into my jerkin and make sure I have all my weapons and that my pocket-of-holding is packed with essentials. Then I dig my marble out of my pocket and look at it for a moment, rolling it gently between my fingers. Studying how its dark-grey slate drinks up the sunlight and reflects nothing back.

  I need to leave. I— I need some time to get away from everything and just think. My head isn’t on straight at the moment, and I need it to be. I desperately need it to be.

  I— I just need some time alone. Away from everyone. Even Fal.

  But what about—?

  So many scenarios and things that could go wrong in my absence swirl inside my mind. Doubt rises in me. Am I truly doing what I need to? Is this the right thing?

  Before I can talk myself out of my choice, I clench my marble in my hand, feeling the hard stone dig into my palm. I visualize in my mind’s eye a peaceful forest, a lively stream, and a cairn built by my own hands. And then, holding the image in my mind, I tap into my marble’s magic. The world around me fades to white.

  And I feel Fal’s sudden, frantic alarm.