Fall

Kane

Bandaged and bruised, Kane, his guards, Cooper and Poppy stood before the Northern throne.

King Asher’s eyes were steel. “Who could have pulled off a vitrum attack in our own city?”

Cooper rubbed his black eye. “Strategically, it was a smart move. The farther vitrum is from the North, the weaker it becomes. If they were to use it at all against us, which they did, then it would be best at its source.”

“But who?” King Asher near roared.

“You’ll be happy to know I was able to do a brief fingerprint scan on the former jail site. Charlotte Harper’s prints have been replaced by a nondescript agent of Nora with a dog fera. I think the attack had been planned to remove Charlotte’s presence.”

Kane turned his head down the lineup. “How would they know to do that?”

“Before our meeting, I had misplaced my vitrum notes. I don’t think they were misplaced in the first place,” Cooper concluded.

King Asher fisted his hands. “There goes that edge.”

“Do you think this ends our cease-fire with the East and West?” Poppy said.

“If it was by Nora, they are not openly apart of the joint East-West. They’re a third party.” King Asher furrowed his brows. “How is our terrier team routing the vermin?”

Poppy made a small bow. “Homer has given me a report just recently, saying they are still searching.”

“We need to find the culprits of this attack immediately. Cooper, Kane, stay here. Poppy, get me Donovan and Griffin and—“ King Asher paused. “Atlas isn’t here.” He waved to the rest of the guards. “You are dismissed.”

Atlas

Afternoon light shone through the tinted vitrum over them. Atlas writhed in the shadow below.

I hate this Life-forsaken sand! Atlas threw his fist in the sifting earth. He couldn’t sleep, and he couldn’t stand. Every movement he made would wake up Skye or Milla, who had their own trouble sleeping in daylight. Punching the sand hadn’t helped.

“Atlas,” Milla said sternly.

Hudson sat a little ways away, where he shared his large vitrum umbrella with June. Temper, temper.

Temper yourself, Atlas muttered.

Hudson snorted. You’re acting churlish.

My mood has been earned, I assure you.

Has it? Hudson asked. This mission has gone very smooth in my mind. Trene fared well, along with Wisp. We have Chesa ahead, worry behind, and only have to follow the stars. And you’re worried about sand? the bear sniffed.

Hudson’s approach made Atlas simmer, and then cool. You’re right.

I am aware I’m right. Hudson put a paw over his nose. Now we can sleep.

Piper

Piper shifted her pack from one shoulder to the other. She nodded to Reine. Can’t you carry a pack, like Flint?

Reine laughed. A beast of burden? No thank you.

Maybe she could cut a strip of canvas from her bag, and add pockets to—

No, Reine said adamantly. I will destroy your belongings, trust me.

So you’re saying a horse would be more helpful.

A horse would not give you dinner. But if you prefer it over a queen, be my guest. Reine held her head high.

Piper smiled. I think it’s a little late to change my fera choice. She shivered as the early winter air sliced through her hair. The long days of summer now seemed like a dream. When had the seasons changed?

Why are humans obsessed with rhetorical questions? Reine flattened her ears. It’s annoying.

Finch kept his eyes on the gray sky. “It’s too early for snow.” It was the first time he had spoken since last night. An entire morning had passed in tense silence. Piper had eaten her dried lunch while walking.

Piper risked a glance through the thin forest canopy. She didn’t know how Finch could keep his focus both on the sky and picking through the forest floor. Then again, she didn’t know much about him at all.

Ask him a question then.

The stray thought from Reine came as a surprise to Piper. I thought you didn’t like him.

I like this silence less. The leopard thrashed her tail against the underbrush. It’s making this trip longer than it should be.

Piper jumped over a log, only to land in a pile of half-decomposed leaves. She fought back a hiss as the wetness seeped inside her boots, and plowed onwards. “Who are your parents?”

Finch didn’t hear, or pretended not to. She repeated herself. “Who are your parents?”

“Ah.” Finch looked up again. Maybe checking in with Chip, who scouted ahead for them. “My father was a professor under King Asher. He taught mathematics, but also went to the West for court cases against Northern merchants. To make sure the numbers were right in the hearings.” He scratched his dark hair. “My mother was a guard. Had an alea just like you. I used to play with it when I was little. She had Cooper put safeguards on it, so I wouldn’t hurt myself.”

Piper realized he was talking in past tense. “Do you see them still?”

Finch gave a short laugh. “No. It’s been four years.”

“Did you leave home?” Piper asked.

“No,” Finch said. He cleared his throat. “Let’s talk about you.”

“I thought King Asher told you everything about me.”

“Hm, not quite the case. The king gave me your records. But you can only learn so much from that.” Finch shrugged. “And no, it did not mention your parents’ whereabouts.”

He had answered the question before Piper could confer it with Reine.

Bird-brain’s quick, noted Reine.

“There’s not much on your records anyway,” Finch admitted after a minute. “You’re sixteen and haven’t been a wanted criminal or national hero before this.”

“I assume you have the same track record,” Piper said.

Finch shot her a sly smile. “Why do you think a shrimp like me would be working for the king? Because no one else would hire. I have a history.”

“I doubt the king would hire you just because the baker didn’t.” It was Piper’s turn to laugh. “But maybe he felt pity for a shrimp.”

“Your Reine is showing,” Finch said. “I can always tell with your comebacks.”

Piper shook her head. “No. This is me.”

Although I’m flattered you thought of me, Reine half-purred. I should be given more credit for things. Underappreciation has been my bane in life.

Their conversation fell away, but it was no longer stifling for the winter wind to be louder than them. As Piper thought and planned for their route ahead, Reine slipped into her mind.

I’ve been thinking about last night, the fera began. How Finch talked about a change that could have caused the alea to unlock.

Yes, Piper said. And?

And you may have in fact caused it. The leopard seemed unsure. It was a new experience for Piper to see her this way.

How? Piper narrowly avoided walking into a tree, and made sure to shadow Finch while she talked with Reine.

Instead of speaking, Reine poured a series of images into their link. The attack between them; the moment before they saw Woodlock; the second they met Lucy.

Three events in close succession. I think something changed within that time that the alea picked up on. Cooper once said vitrum only liked Elbens. Perhaps the alea recognized something it sees in the North.

A Northern leopard? Piper joked.

Or, Reine said somberly, a Northern girl.