Ella guided the drudge down a long street, heading directly for the harbour.
She remembered the first time she met Killian. He'd been posing as a merchant's agent, seeking goods in foreign lands. How na?ve she'd been! Charming and confident, he'd shown Ella what it meant to be young, at a time when she'd been forced to grow up ahead of others her age. Brandon, Ella's guardian, had died, and Miro was far away in Seranthia. Ella struggled with her studies and the mistakes she'd made. No one had known war was just around the corner.
Ella had fallen in love with Killian, but it was the immature love of a girl. Only later, when she'd seen his true nature, had the feelings of something deeper sparked within her.
Then came Ilathor, the dark prince of the Hazara Desert, and the conquest of Petrya. They'd all seen so much death in those days, and Ella had found herself unable to resist the comfort of Ilathor's arms.
Killian's last words to Ella were to tell her he loved her, before he made a crossing from which he knew he could never return.
If there was one thing Ella had learned, it was that there was always a way.
The Sentinel beckoned. Killian needed her.
Ella was going to get him back.
26
A MAN in black waited for Ella at the dock, now lit by sunrise, and she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him.
The man walked towards Ella as she called the drudge to a halt close to the water's edge, looking up at Ella with his dark eyes.
"Jehral," Ella said warmly.
She dismounted from the cart and gave the desert warrior a swift embrace. "Thank you. I was worried you wouldn't come. Did you bring it?"
"Yes, Ella, I brought it." Jehral held up a bundle, wrapped in oilskin.
Two more people came into view, a dark-haired woman in a red robe, and a bladesinger with curly locks and groomed moustaches. Both also held bundles.
"You have no idea how difficult this was," Shani said. "If it had been anyone but you…"
"I hope you know what you're doing," said Bartolo, running his fingers through his hair.
"Rogan knows," Ella said. "He believes in what I'm doing."
"Does he know about these?" Shani said, holding up her bundle.
"Well…"
"Same old Ella." Bartolo grinned.
"What's in the cart?" Shani asked.
"I'll tell you in a moment. Have they been renewed?"
"Yes," said Jehral, "they've all been renewed."
"Can I have them?" Ella stepped
"Ella…" said Shani. "We've all been given the same instructions. We're not to let them out of our sight. You're going to have to tell us why you need them."
Ella realised these people were her friends; they had a right to know. She wondered where to begin. "One of the Evermen is in Merralya. He has essence, and he's out there somewhere, building an army."
"Lord of the Sky," Bartolo breathed.
"Do you know this for a fact?" Jehral said. "The Kalif must know."
"Challenging him will require the united strength of all the houses, and the Empire is in chaos, with the shortage of essence crushing our economy and fragmenting the new order, just when we need it to be strong. Challenging his army will be difficult. Challenging one of the Evermen may be beyond us. There is only one who could face him."
Jehral looked out from the dock at the Sentinel, now lit by the glow of dawn.
"Killian," Shani said. She and Bartolo exchanged glances.
"That's right," said Ella. She lifted her chin. "You're going to help me bring him back."
"Ella, how much are your feelings dictating your actions?" Shani said. "Are you sure you're acting rationally?"
"Whatever my feelings are, I know this is right. He crossed over because he was the only one able to do so, and because Evrin told him it was the only way to prevent the return of the Evermen. He's been trapped there for over two years. Worst of all, his sacrifice was for nothing. One of them crossed over. We don't know how, but he did. We need Killian, and I believe I've found a way to bring him back."
"Ella, you need to face the fact he may be dead," Bartolo said.
"I have to try."
"And what if going through the portal enables more of them to cross over?"
"It won't. I won't let that happen," Ella said. She looked at her three friends, people who she'd shared hardship and the horrors of war with. "You will leave me there, if need be."
Shani, Jehral and Bartolo looked at each other for a moment.
Finally Shani sighed. "All right. We'll help you. I've learned to trust in you, Ella, and I'll trust you now."
Jehral clasped Ella's shoulder, a rare gesture of affection.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Bartolo repeated.
"Thank you," Ella said. "I'll feel better, knowing you're on the other side."