Trial by Fire

There was urgency in the air. Lily looked up at the walls beyond the camp, and saw flashes of light. The great wall surrounding Salam bristled with soldiers. A chill ran down her spine. Lily had zero battle experience, but even she knew that the two sides were facing off with each other. A war was brewing.

Lily hadn’t seen much of the city while she was there, but she did know that it was modern, rich, and filled with resources. It also had a witch who could fuel her claimed with superhuman strength. As she passed through the camp, it seemed centuries behind. The carts and clothes were handmade. The children worked alongside the adults at the forges and the bakeries rather than attending school. Lily thought of the two sides of Rowan she’d seen—the Rowan who fit so perfectly in his sleek city apartment, and the Rowan who knew how to make do in a simple survival cabin in the woods. She remembered how happy he was when he was serving a huge meal to his friends at his stylish table, and how one jar of jam had been so important to him that he’d have rather starved than take it from another Outlander.

This camp was filled with Rowan’s people. They were a people who had never had any resources apart from the kind they found inside themselves, and as noble as that was, Lily knew they didn’t stand a chance if it came down to a fight. The Citadel was too strong.

Lily arrived at a huge armored cart surrounded by fierce-looking Outlander warriors. They had streaks of red and black paint on their faces, eagle feathers in their hair, and their dark wearhyde clothes were so similar they could have been uniforms. When she tried to pass, they stepped in front of her. They barely glanced at her or her stones. These were not the kind of men or women who were impressed by willstones and witches.

“I need to speak to Alaric,” Lily said loudly.

Half a second later Rowan appeared at the door. He looked her up and down with a funny expression. Her heart pinched at the sight of him, and then hardened. Why was it that every time she gave her heart to a guy, he almost instantly broke it?

Lily! You’re awake.

And I plan on staying that way. I’ve been asleep for too long.

Lily could feel confusion swirling around inside of Rowan as he picked up on her anger.

Is something wrong?

Lily didn’t respond. Rowan’s confusion turned to frustration.

I’m glad you’re awake, but don’t go through the camp alone again. Call to me first and I’ll come to you.

Why?

The Woven like to pick off loners and strays.

Lily’s stride hitched and her skin crawled.

But this camp is huge. They can still get inside?

Outside the walls of the cities, no one is safe.

“Let her pass,” Caleb ordered.

Tristan joined Rowan and Caleb at the doorway, smiling brightly. Lily could sense Caleb and Tristan’s happiness at seeing her up and about, but she took no comfort in it.

The Outlander warriors stepped out of Lily’s way. She took a few steps toward the carriage, but didn’t enter it.

Lily? What’s the matter with you?

Lily ignored Rowan. “Alaric!” she called. Confused thoughts from Caleb and Tristan ate away at the edges of her anger. It was hard to stay mad at them when their thoughts were laced with so much concern.

Alaric limped out of the war carriage, his face inscrutable. “My Lady of Salem,” he said smoothly.

“Lily,” she replied sharply. “My name is Lily. I’m not the ‘Lady’ of anything.”

“What can I do for you, Lily?” Alaric said politely.

“You can tell me what you want from me.” She glared at Rowan. “And he can tell me whether or not you’re lying in mindspeak.”

“I want you to help my people,” Alaric said immediately.

Lily looked at Rowan.

He’s telling the truth.

“And how do you want me to do that?” Lily asked Alaric.

“By going to other worlds to get me the technology my people need to survive if necessary,” he responded. “But I’ll take whatever I can get from you. Clean water, antibiotics, whatever you’ve got.”

Lily didn’t need Rowan to confirm what Alaric just said, but he did anyway.

He’s telling the truth.

And what about you, Rowan? Were you ever going to tell me the truth?