For a little while, neither of them spoke. Calenelda remained seated beside Talia, their shoulders touching. Her fingers were still intertwined with Talia's, and every so often her thumb brushed gently across the back of the paladin's hand. The conversation had left something behind. Not awkwardness. Not quite. Something softer. Something neither of them had a name for yet.
Then Calenelda's expression brightened. "I have an idea."
Talia immediately became suspicious. "That sentence has never ended well."
"I can find your armor." Calenelda sounded almost as bright as the sun overhead.
Talia blinked. "My armor?"
"With the magnetism." Calenelda looked down at herself.
Or, more accurately, in the general direction of herself. She was still dressed in little more than the linen underwraps she had been wearing since the temple. Most of her proper clothing had been torn away during the escape, and what remained had hardly qualified as clothing anymore. Talia looked at her. Then at herself. She was in much the same state.
"Your armor," Calenelda repeated. "You left most of it somewhere around here."
"I know."
"Then I can find it."
Talia looked toward the dunes. "You've never done that before."
"No." Calenelda's grin widened. "So it'll be interesting."
"That isn't reassuring."
The Diviner rose. Talia watched her stretch, apparently without the slightest concern about the state of her clothing.
Talia's cheeks warmed. "You're really going to walk around like that?"
Calenelda tilted her head. "Like what?"
Talia gestured vaguely. "This."
Calenelda glanced down again. "I don't see the problem."
Talia stared at her. "That's because you don't see anything."
Calenelda's grin became positively mischievous. "I see plenty."
"You know what I mean." Talia groaned.
"I do." Calenelda stepped closer. "And I think you like it."
Talia's face immediately turned red. "I do not."
"Is my righteous paladin blushing?" Calenelda teased.
"I am not."
"You so are." Calenelda laughed.
Talia folded her arms. "Why did I fall for this impossible woman?"
Calenelda's smile softened. "You did?"
Talia froze. She had walked directly into that one.
Calenelda's head tilted toward her. "You said it."
"I was speaking rhetorically."
"Too late."
Talia groaned and covered her face with one hand. Behind them, Stonefang released a long, suffering sigh. Both women looked toward him. The direwolf was lying beneath the shade of the ruined wall, his injured leg stretched out before him. His eyes were closed.
His ears, however, were pointed directly at them.
Calenelda laughed. "Even Stonefang thinks you're terrible at hiding your feelings."
"He's one to talk."
Stonefang opened one eye. Calenelda's expression softened. She walked over and crouched beside him. Her hand moved through the fur along his neck.
"You're still uncomfortable."
Stonefang's ear twitched. Talia followed her.
"He's been like that since the temple."
"I know." Calenelda said with a hint of worry in her voice.
"You think it's because of you."
Calenelda paused. "I think it's because of something."
Talia frowned. "He's worried about you."
"He is." Calenelda's fingers slowed. "But that's not all."
Stonefang's breathing changed. Barely.
Calenelda felt it beneath her palm. "There."
"What?"
"He did it again."
Talia knelt beside them. "Did what?"
Calenelda moved her hand farther down the wolf's neck. "His muscles tightened."
Talia studied Stonefang. "I don't see anything."
"You wouldn't." Calenelda smiled faintly. "It's subtle."
Stonefang shifted his head away from her.
Calenelda's smile disappeared. "He doesn't like being touched there."
Talia frowned. "Since when?"
"I don't know." Calenelda ran her fingers lightly through his fur without pressing. "It started after the temple."
Talia glanced at the wolf. "Maybe he's reacting to what happened to you."
"I thought that too." Calenelda sighed.
"But?"
Calenelda looked thoughtful. "He reacts differently when I'm reckless."
Stonefang's ear twitched. "He gets angry. He tries to stop me. Sometimes he physically gets in my way." She paused. "This isn't that."
"What is it?"
"I don't know." Calenelda's hand remained on his neck. "It's like he's listening to something."
Talia's expression tightened. "Listening to what?"
"I wish I knew."
Stonefang suddenly lifted his head. His ears turned toward the desert. All three went still.
Foxglove, who had been resting nearby, opened her eyes. "What is it?"
Stonefang stared into the distance. Calenelda felt his heartbeat quicken. Not fear. Recognition.
Her brow furrowed. "There."
"What?"
"He heard something."
Talia looked toward the empty dunes. "I don't hear anything."
"Neither do I." Calenelda slowly stood. "But he does."
Stonefang remained perfectly still. Then his head turned toward Calenelda. For a moment, his amber eyes met hers. There was something almost pleading in them.
Calenelda crouched again. "You don't know what it is either, do you?"
Stonefang gave a low whine. She placed her forehead gently against his.
"We'll figure it out."
The wolf relaxed slightly.
Talia watched them. "You're certain this isn't just because you've changed?"
Calenelda considered the question. "No." She looked toward the horizon. "But I don't think it's only that."
Talia nodded slowly. "Then we'll figure that out too."
Calenelda smiled. "You always say we."
"Because I mean it."
The Diviner's smile grew. "That's becoming one of my favorite things about you."
Talia sighed. "Please don't start again."
"I haven't started anything." Calenelda's smile grew mischievous.
"You're smiling."
"I smile a lot."
"You have that particular smile." Talia sighed.
"What particular smile?" Calenelda tried to sound innocent.
"The one that means you're about to make me regret saying something."
Calenelda stepped closer. "Maybe I just like seeing you blush."
Talia's cheeks warmed again. "I knew it."
Calenelda laughed. "But…" She reached up and gently touched Talia's cheek. "I also just like being close to you."
Talia's expression softened. That answer caught her off guard.
Calenelda lowered her hand. "Besides, I don't really think about what other people think of me."
"I've noticed."
"I spent most of my life being told what I should be. How I should behave. How I should look. What I was supposed to represent." She shrugged. "I'm tired of it."
Talia looked at her for a moment. "So this is you being yourself?"
"Yes." Calenelda smiled. "Mostly."
"Mostly?" Talia didn't entirely trust that sentence.
"I also enjoy making you blush."
Talia shook her head. "Of course you do."
Calenelda laughed. Then she extended one hand. "Now."
Talia looked at it. "What?"
"Your armor."
"Oh." Talia began looking around. "I left my breastplate near the western ridge, I think. The shoulder guards were closer to the temple."
Calenelda closed her eyes. She took a slow breath. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the air around her seemed to change. It wasn't visible. But Talia felt something faintly tug at the metal buckles still attached to her remaining gear.
Calenelda's expression became focused. "I can feel it."
"The armor?"
"Yes." She turned slightly. "There's something else."
Talia waited. Calenelda's brow furrowed.
"Metal under the sand."
"How much?"
"A lot." She smiled. "Your armor isn't the only thing you've lost."
Talia sighed. "Of course."
Calenelda stretched out her hand. A faint vibration passed through the sand. Somewhere beyond the dunes, something metallic answered. Calenelda's eyes widened. Then another piece answered. And another. The sensation was faint, but unmistakable. Her new ability was not simply stronger earthsense. It was something different. Something she was still learning to understand.
Calenelda smiled. "Found them."
Talia looked toward the dunes. "You're going to bring all of it back?"
"Eventually."
"Eventually?" Calenelda's grin returned. "I'm still figuring out how to do it without accidentally throwing your sword at your head."
Talia stared at her. "You did that once."
"Technically, it was only near your head."
"Calenelda."
The Diviner laughed and started walking. Behind them, Stonefang stood. He looked toward the empty desert once more. His ears twitched. Something was still calling him. Something he could not understand. And somewhere deep beneath the strange magic that had been placed inside him, something seemed to answer. He remained like that for another moment before finally following. The others were already moving ahead, their footprints slowly disappearing beneath the windblown sand. Stonefang lowered his head and padded after them, but every few steps he glanced back. Whatever had called to him was gone now. Or perhaps it had simply learned to wait.
Talia watched Stonefang for a long moment while Calenelda was busy finding her armor. She had learned it was impossible to stop her when she had found a new challenge. And that was exactly what her new found ability was. Something new. Something intriguing. Something… challenging.
Talia found it curious. She had never read about someone being able to use magnetism before. It was something she would have to investigate when she got back to Tan'Thalon. Especially with Calenelda's double awakening. What was she getting into? Who was she in love with? Then she saw Stonefang looking North again.
"He's doing it again." Talia said quietly.
Calenelda nodded. "I know."
"Looking north."
"Toward Tan'Thalon."
Talia waited. "And?"
Calenelda's expression tightened. "And I think whatever was done to him is waking up."
Foxglove's ears lowered. "You believe the city is responsible?"
"I don't know." Calenelda looked toward the distant north. "But I've never trusted that city."
Talia sighed. "That's not exactly evidence."
"No." Calenelda reached down and touched Stonefang's neck. "But he is."
"The council still wants proof of Ba'Ham's corruption in the desert though." Talia stated.
"Isn't the temple enough?" Calenelda sounded a little agitated.
"The temple sank itself." Talia sighed. "We can't prove it except for the two of us."
"So then what? We keep wandering the desert for proof?"
Talia pondered for a while. "Foxglove. Haven't you seen anything or anyone acting weird here?"
"Oh, I've seen two humans acting really weird." Foxglove answered before she could stop herself. "They keep flirting and teasing each other right after imminent doom."
Talia just stared. Calenelda burst into laughter at Foxglove's honesty. Foxglove just smirked.
"I walked right into that one." Talia blinked.
"Honestly though." Calenelda began. "Whatever is plaguing Stonefang, is in Tan'Thalon."
Everyone agreed on that. Stonefang gave a soft whimper.
"As much as I dislike the city and the council, I need to find out what is wrong with him."
Talia gently put her hands on Calenelda's shoulders. "You keep saying I. You're not alone in this. We will help."
"And perhaps on the way, you'll find your proof." Foxglove pointed out.
With the decision set, Talia was helping gather what remained of their supplies when she finally turned toward the Diviner.
"Before we leave…"
Calenelda looked up. "Yes?"
Talia hesitated. That hesitation immediately made Calenelda suspicious.
"You're going to ask me something."
"I am." Talia confirmed.
"Is it going to be annoying?"
"Probably."
"Then ask."
Talia gestured toward Calenelda. "You need to wear something more appropriate when we get back to Tan'Thalon."
Calenelda looked down at herself. Then back toward Talia. "Why?"
Talia stared. "Because you can't walk into the city dressed like that."
"Why not?"
The ease with which Calelenda said that baffled Talia. "Because you're practically wearing nothing."
Calenelda considered this. "I have underwraps."
"That isn't clothing." Talia sounded like she was fighting an impossible battle. And she was.
"They're comfortable."
"They're also transparent in places."
Calenelda's grin slowly appeared. Talia immediately regretted the conversation.
"I mean it." Talia said stern.
"I know." Calenelda's grin grew wider.
"You'll be walking through the Lower Rings, the Council district, probably half the Iron Vanguard's barracks—"
"Mm." Calenelda's grew even wider.
"And everyone will stare."
"I don't mind." Calenelda shrugged.
"I mind." Talia's voice was louder than she meant.
Calenelda tilted her head. "Why?"
"Because—" Talia stopped. Calenelda waited. "Because people are going to look at you."
The Diviner's smile became unbearably pleased. "Oh."
Talia's face warmed. "Don't."
"I didn't say anything." Calenelda held her hand up innocently.
"You didn't have to."
Calenelda laughed softly. "So you want me to dress properly because you don't want everyone else looking at me?"
"That isn't what I said." Talia tried to defend herself.
"It sounded like it."
Talia crossed her arms. "Please."
Calenelda's expression softened. "Fine."
Talia blinked. "Fine?"
"I'll wear something."
"You promise?"
"Yes."
Talia relaxed. That should have been the end of it.
It wasn't. Calenelda wandered away toward the remains of the supplies they'd recovered from the ruins. Foxglove watched her rummage through the bundle of salvaged clothing. After a moment, the Nyxir's enormous ears tilted forward. "What are you looking for?"
"Something appropriate." Calenelda kept rummaging.
Foxglove's expression became suspicious. "That sounded dishonest."
"It wasn't."
A few moments later, Calenelda returned. Talia looked at what she was holding. Then stared. It was technically clothing. A long, dark garment made from soft desert fabric, open along the back and sides and cut far lower than anything Talia had seen Calenelda wear before. It would cover enough to satisfy the most generous interpretation of the word appropriate. Barely. Talia's mouth opened. Then closed.
Calenelda smiled innocently. "Well?"
Talia pointed at it. "That is worse."
"How?"
"You know exactly how."
Calenelda held it against herself. "I think it looks comfortable."
"You haven't even put it on." Talia realised this was another battle she couldn't win.
"I can tell." Calenelda smirked, running her fingers along the soft fabric.
She looked very pleased with her newest conquest. Foxglove covered her mouth, unsuccessfully hiding a laugh.
Talia turned toward her. "Don't encourage her."
"I wasn't."
"You're smiling."
"I find your relationship fascinating."
Calenelda looked pleased. "See? Someone appreciates my fashion sense."
"I appreciate your ability to cause problems." Talia blurted out.
"That's basically the same thing."
Talia rubbed her forehead. "Why did I fall for this impossible woman?"
Calenelda's expression softened immediately. "You keep saying things like that."
"Forget I said it."
"No." Calenelda stepped closer. "I like hearing it."
Talia's expression softened despite herself. "I know."
For a moment, the teasing disappeared.
Then Calenelda smiled again. "But I'll wear it."
Talia narrowed her eyes. "You're enjoying this."
"A little." Calenelda's smile grew as innocent as she could muster.
"A little?"
"A lot."
Talia sighed. "Of course."
They resumed their journey soon afterward. Calenelda had, in fact, put on the garment. Talia wasn't certain whether she regretted asking. It was certainly more substantial than the underwraps. It was also somehow more distracting. Calenelda seemed perfectly content with it. She walked barefoot across the sand, the fabric shifting around her legs with every step. Her hair had become hopelessly tangled during their ordeal, and the sunbleached tips caught against the dark cloth whenever the wind picked up. Talia tried very hard not to look, but every time her gaze floated to Calenelda she caught a glimpse of exposed boob or a flash of bare back. Or even just the fabric sliding down her leg. She couldn't help but admit that Calenelda was extremely attractive now, though she'd never tell her that out loud.
Calenelda noticed anyway. "You're staring."
"I am not."
"You are."
"I'm checking whether you're dressed."
"Very thoroughly."
Talia groaned. "Why are you like this?"
Calenelda smiled. "Because you're cute when you're embarrassed."
Talia shook her head. Behind them, Stonefang gave a low groan.
Foxglove glanced down at him. "You agree?" The wolf's ears flattened. "I believe he does."
Calenelda laughed. Then she stopped. Stonefang had stopped too. His head was turned toward the north. Toward Tan'Thalon.
The amusement disappeared from Calenelda's face. "Stonefang?"
The direwolf didn't move. His ears were rigid. His breathing had changed.
Calenelda approached him slowly. "What's wrong?"
He gave no response. She placed her hand against his shoulder. Immediately, she felt the tension beneath his fur. Not fear. Not exactly. Something deeper. A discomfort that seemed to travel through him rather than originate from him. Calenelda frowned. She extended her earthsense. Nothing unusual. The desert was quiet. The city was still far beyond the horizon. Yet Stonefang remained fixed in that direction.
Talia noticed the change. "Is it happening again?"
Calenelda nodded. "More strongly."
Foxglove approached cautiously. "What does he feel?"
"I don't know." Calenelda's fingers moved through Stonefang's fur. "But whatever it is…" She paused. "He reacts whenever we face Tan'Thalon."
Talia looked toward the distant horizon. "Maybe he's remembering something."
"Perhaps." Calenelda didn't sound convinced.
Stonefang finally looked at her. His amber eyes seemed almost apologetic.
Calenelda crouched. "You know something." The wolf lowered his head. "I wish you could tell me."
He whined softly. Calenelda rested her forehead against his. "I don't blame you."
She remained there for several seconds. Then she stood. Her expression had changed.
Talia noticed immediately. "You're worried."
"I don't trust the Council."
"You never have."
"No." Calenelda looked toward the distant city. "But this is different."
"How?"
"Because Stonefang is reacting to it." She glanced down at the wolf. "I trust him more than I trust most people."
Talia smiled faintly. "That's probably wise."
Calenelda's expression remained serious. "Something happened to him."
"Before you met him?"
"Maybe." She looked toward Tan'Thalon again. "Or afterward."
The wind moved across the dunes. Stonefang's ears twitched. For a brief moment, his entire body tensed. Then it passed. Calenelda noticed. So did Talia. Neither said anything.
Finally, Foxglove broke the silence. "So we're returning to the city where the mysterious council lives who might see Calenelda as a dangerous freak, while the magically altered wolf becomes increasingly uncomfortable the closer we get?"
Calenelda nodded. "Yes."
Foxglove considered this. "That sounds unpleasant."
"It probably is."
Talia sighed. "Can we have one journey where nothing ancient, magical, or politically disastrous happens?"
Calenelda smiled. "No."
Talia looked at her. "You didn't even think about that."
"I didn't need to."
Talia shook her head and started walking. Calenelda followed, still holding Stonefang's attention on the horizon. But the wolf kept looking back. Not toward the ruins. Not toward the desert. Toward Tan'Thalon.
And for the first time, Calenelda wondered whether whatever had been placed inside Stonefang had been waiting for them to return all along.