"I don’t know,” Ella said. “With the war, I suppose I’ll help out, enchanting shields and the like."
"The most gifted young enchantress, working on shields? Surely there will be more exciting work out there for one such as you?"
Ella wasn’t sure if Killian was mocking her. She looked over at him but his expression was earnest, his eyes sincere.
"I guess I’ll work on what’s needed most."
"Is that all you do, work?"
Ella had a flippant response prepared, but she faltered. "I suppose it is." She shrugged. "What else is there?"
Killian inclined his head. "Walk with me. Let’s find out."
~
THEY crossed the Singer’s Bridge, a thin arch of stones leading from the area just north of the parks and over the river. Ella found herself side by side with Killian, pressed close to him as they made their way across the narrow bridge. She was uncomfortably aware of his presence. The heat from his body. The smell of him.
"It was terrible, what happened at the palace," he said.
Ella felt relieved he was the one bringing it up.
"It was. What happened?"
Killian thought for a moment. "I think that man was some kind of message from the Emperor. Quite a grim message, I must say. It was good to see how well-protected the Crystal Palace was, did you see how many soldiers came out? A small army!"
"Umm… Yes," Ella said. It wasn’t the conversation she’d been expecting.
"I suppose they have to protect the palace. Is it just the High Lord that lives there?"
"Well, the High Lord, his staff, and his closest advisers live there with their families. It really is huge. The High Enchantress has some of her most powerful artefacts in the palace. I suppose it’s better protected than the Green Tower. She spends a lot of time there, when she’s not administering the Academy. It’s where she has her personal quarters too."
"Really? You’ve met her, haven’t you?"
"How do you know that?"
Killian looked at her quizzically. "You’re an enchantress. I just assumed you would have."
"Oh. I’m sorry," she said. "Yes, I’ve met her. She’s… strong. She helped me with something. I wouldn’t have graduated without her."
"What did she help you with?"
Ella didn’t know why, but she found herself telling Killian everything. About Talwin. About the wracking. About Miro and Amber.
They stood at the apex of the Singer’s Bridge, their heads close together. Ella spoke softly, but Killian never once asked her to repeat herself, or interrupted her.
When her throat caught at a difficult moment, he gave her a cloth, stitched with a small ‘K’ in the corner. Ella dabbed at her eyes.
"Your brother will be fine. It sounds to me like the imperials should be the ones afraid."
"I hope you’re right."
Killian gestured to the other side of the river, in the direction they were headed. The multi-hued lights of the Woltenplats winked suggestively.
"They say in times of trouble, when people are afraid, they come together. Come now, a little wine and company is good for the soul, what do you say?"
Ella smiled, and he took her by the hand then. Killian’s hand was much larger, dry and warm, and enveloped hers completely. Ella felt safe in his company.
They laughed as they ran recklessly down the far side of the Singer’s Bridge.
~
"NO, this one!" Ella laughed.
"How about this one?"
"No, I want to go to this one!"
Killian laughed. "We will have it your way then. For tonight’s entertainment, venue number five is…" He paused dramatically. "The Prey Turned Hunter!"
"I love the name." Ella laughed as they entered their fifth tavern for the night. They had made it a game, drinking a different drink at each tavern as they walked south along the river, until they found what Killian laughingly called "the perfect tavern".
More of a music hall than an eating establishment, the entrance of The Prey Turned Hunter bore a beautifully drawn sign of a deer stalking a terrified man. The expression on the hunter’s face was priceless.
A group of five musicians played together on a raised stage. Three played the traditional Alturan metal-keyed instruments, the largest as tall as the man who played it, the smallest barely two feet high, while the other two tapped chimes and drums. Ella had never seen so many musicians play in unison — it made the sound much fuller, more raucous. She found herself tapping along without even meaning to.
Some young women were dancing, their skirts swirling around their legs. There were a far greater number of women than men on the dance floor. Not that the hall was empty of men — far from it. They sat against the walls, smiling and nodding along to the chiming music, barely taking their eyes of the girls.
It was a casual place, where drinks were ordered at the bar. Ella thought it was her favourite yet.
"What will it be this time?" Killian said.
"I don’t know. I don’t know any of these drinks, really. You choose."
"How about… have you tried coulna?"
"I’ve got no idea what that is." She smiled up at him.