Yu Rael sighed, sitting on the low tea table within her tent. Her boots were covered with the pale dust of Darahem, and her hair was damp from the long walk back from the inner camp. The sun had not been kind to her today, but her temper was already dark enough without the desert's help.
Three damn years. She was still not over Vaen staying so long in the mountain with that old relic. Any man should go crazy from boredom.
And yet, here he was. Standing like some old sword unsheathed, sharper, stronger, and more massive with presence.
"Tarun can join the mercenary crew," Vaen declared in a matter-of-fact manner as he sat across from her, voice as low as ever. "He's good and loyal."
Yu Rael glanced at him. The lad was out there, pacing up and down like a pup on its first patrol. A little rough around the edges, but his eyes were good. Foundation Establishment stage 5, huh? Not too bad.
"Okay," she said. "I'll mount him on someone reliable. He messes up, you deal with it."
Vaen nodded, self-satisfied.
She poured herself some watered wine. Her fingers brushed the porcelain, and for a moment she stared into the cup like it held some answer.
He finally asked.
"And the job?" he said, direct as always.
Yu Rael chuckled under her breath. "You're not one to beat around the bush, huh?"
She set the cup down with a soft clink.
"I'm going back to my clan," she said. "They've got something I need to get back. Something I took out of that secret realm, recall?"
His eyebrow twitched. Subtly, almost not at all. But she caught it.
"The Corpse Spirit Flower," she went on. "Heaven rank alchemy material. The kind of thing people murder over."
Vaen's eyes performed a rapid flicker. But, as expected, he didn't inquire as to why. No "what are you doing with it?" or "who is it for?" As always, he just listened, waited for what mattered.
"We're bringing it to an organization," she went on, idly swirling wine.
"They call themselves the Immortal Organization."
Even so, no question.Sharp as always.
She breathed deeply. "It will be a long journey. Will likely have to fight. May face old hounds who would want what isn't theirs."
"Good," Vaen said. "When do we leave?"
She smiled. Gods, this man.
"Not curious, about where and whom?"
"Not so much," he said. "I simply want to know what to protect."
Yu Rael hesitated.
Sometimes she forgot just how different he was. Not just strong though yes, he was getting dangerous, that much was clear; but calm. Like the eye of a storm. It annoyed the shit out of her. And yet.
She looked him in the eye.
"You'll have to wear something more presentable," she said. "My clan's not some roadside tavern.
"You're the one who's asking a blind man for a diplomatic escort," Vaen deadpanned.
She blinked. And then laughed hysterically.
"Damn, you got jokes now?"
He cracked the ghost of a smile. That didn't happen often.
"Fine. Keep your crazy cloak. Just don't scare the elders."
She looked at the flap of her tent, where Tarun still paced outside like a lost chicken. She bellowed.
"Kid! Get in here!"
Tarun jumped and walked in. Yu Rael looked at him one more time.
"Welcome to the crew. You'll be helping with some logistics, running things around the camp. No fighting unless ordered. Got it?"
"Yes, Lady Rael!"
She rolled her eyes. "Don't call me that. Just 'Boss' is fine."
He nodded rapidly.
Yu Rael turned her gaze back to Vaen.
"We leave in three days," she said. "Get ready. I'll handle the arrangements."
Vaen nodded, stood up, and left without uttering another word.
Yu Rael remained seated. The wine had gone lukewarm, but she still drank it.
Something in her gut churned over. It wasn't the mission. Something was bubbling beneath the surface, and it wasn't the flower or even the organization.
It was him.
She got up slowly, pushing a piece of hair behind her ear.
Three days.
Then they'd discover just how far this fellow from the edge of the world had really traveled.
.