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A few moments later, Mavris came in and sat on the edge of the bed.
“What’s up?”He still spoke through his mind so he didn’t wake Kya.
“I need to go back to the palace. Can she handle the travel?”
He shook his head.“I wouldn’t. She needs to rest. She’ll be out for a while. I’m certain she’ll still be asleep when you get back. Likely a full day at least, if not longer.”
“I’m not leaving her,”I clipped.
“Ryker, she’ll be fine. I’ll watch over her until you return. Go do what you need to do.”Mavris gave a small smile.
He was one of the few that I trusted fully. I knew she would be safe with him. And he was right. I needed to take care of things, and I couldn’t do that here. With a shallow nod, I grudgingly agreed to let him stay with her.
Carefully, I slid out from under her and kissed her forehead.
“I’ll be back soon, little gem,” I whispered and traced my thumb over the marriage band on her wrist.
I called to Theron and he met me at the mouth of the cave. Snow had begun to fall, the sign that winter had officially arrived.
“I need to go back to the palace,”I said as I placed my hand on his scaly shoulder. He transported us and my heart sank when we appeared on the front lawn.
Facing what should have been the Oryn Palace, there was nothing left but crumbled ruins. The palace had fallen. The place that had been home and refuge and a symbol of my Lordship to my people, their protector, lay in a pile of broken stone. For nearly three-hundred years, I had lived in the palace. Memories flooded my mind. Of the first night I had stayed here after completing my challenge, dinners filled with laughter and chattering with Mavris and Hakoa and Arra. My father and mother walking the halls with their heads held high at the success of their son. My people coming and going, seeking help and guidance. My nights with Kya, warming the bed beside me.
Noavo warriors were all over, clambering over the rubble, cleaning up and assisting others, carefully weaving around the areas infected with the Glaev. A few children gasped at Theron’s menacing presence. A hand on my shoulder startled me out of my thoughts and Hakoa stepped next to me, looking at the broken palace.
“Some of the wielders tried to mend it before it fell but we had to concentrate on getting all the refugees and workers out first.” He turned his head to me. “The palace can always be rebuilt, but lives can’t be brought back.”
“Thank you. Where is everyone?”
He nodded and pointed down the hill toward the Noavo command station. “Temporary structures are being erected for shelter until the palace can be rebuilt. The ones we saved from the city will stay in the encampments or go elsewhere.”
Hakoa trailed off, burdened that we weren’t able to save everyone. My throat tightened. I hadn’t protected them.
“How many?” I croaked.
“We’re still counting. But at least three hundred from the city are missing or dead…so far.” His voice was filled with sorrow.
I took a deep breath. “We’ll give them a proper ceremony tomorrow night. Summon Deres to see off their souls.”
We were silent for several moments.
“Is anyone still in the city?” I asked.
“No. After you left, we gathered everyone in the Mosun district. Theron came back immediately and Traveled everyone out.”
“Good. I want you to bring in the warriors stationed at the Dichara Sea to help with the displacement.”
I hoped it was enough. With all the recent attacks and displacements, our resources were beginning to thin.
He nodded, and we were quiet for a moment, taking in all the destruction around us before he cleared his throat. “How’s Kya?”
“She’ll be fine. Mavris is with her while she rests. I’ll check in on her later, but I’m honed to his mind in case he needs me.”
“What are you going to do? We can’t just let that bastard roam free and hold Nikan prisoner. He has to be stopped. Look at what he did. Look at all that he’s capable of.”
“I’m going to stop him. I’ll send his soul to the depths of the After,” I growled. Then I thought of my people and all they were capable of. I needed to learn about Daegel. How and where he operated, if he had any weaknesses. The side of my mouth curved up. “Track down the Vaavi.”
Hakoa bowed his head and walked away to speak with some of the other warriors. I turned to face Theron.
