His Ancient Heart by M. R. Forbes Page B

an odd contraption with a thin bit of ircidium at the tip. "I can't believe she did this."
    "Did what, General?"
    It was the cure. Her cure. Her blood, returned from the refinery, cleaned of the Curse. She had given it to him, to give to Eryn. To save her life. It was a cure the Overlord might need herself before she was able to get more.  
    "Gave more than I asked for," he replied.
    "The Overlord is kinder than most," Fehri said. "She understood my calling and made me the youngest Captain in his army."  
    Talon closed the box, returning it to the pack with reverence and care, and then unfurled the cloak and slipped it on. He couldn't ignore how the fates had aligned to bring him this far. He glanced at the soldier, wondering if there was something to Amman after all. "Let us make sure her kindness doesn't go to waste, Captain."
    "As you say, General."
    They started walking west along the Washfall, keeping to the bank and paying close attention for any hints of nearby soldiers. As Fehri had observed, the area around Varrow was still well patrolled, though it seemed as if the hanging of the murderer who looked like Silas Morningstar had imbued a sense of security among them. It was as if killing someone with a similar appearance meant that the real Liar must have been far off.
    It was a boon to them, and it allowed them to sneak past the random groups of soldiers, skirting their perimeters and continuing the journey west, pausing only to eat and relieve themselves. Fehri was in excellent physical condition, and he surprised Talon by matching him stride for stride, his breath never rising beyond an even tempo. He also surprised the General with the fact that he had already brought him much further west than Talon had expected, leaving them staring up at the false owl that marked the entrance to the hidden cave as night began to fall.
    "A lot of soldiers have passed through here," Fehri remarked, pointing at the horse trodden ground.
    It hadn't escaped Talon's attention, and his worry grew with each hoof print that moved in the same direction as they did. "I expect Caela would have heard if Eryn were found. Besides, the cave is well hidden. I would have passed it on my way back to Varrow if Wilem hadn't brought me to it."
    "Wilem?"
    "He is a Mediator. Was a Mediator. Eryn took his loyalty, along with his heart."
    "Another traitor?" Fehri asked with a smile.
    "That is a matter of perspective."
    They continued walking, away from the river and into the outcropping of rocks and trees, winding their way around and into the small niche that hid the cave beneath a large stone and a mass of roots.
    "Someone was here," Fehri said, pointing to the edge of one of the stones. It looked as though someone had wiped their boot on it.
    Talon fought to prevent his worry from turning to panic. He pushed the roots aside, leaning down into the small hole.  
    "Wilem? Wilem, are you there, my boy?"
    Silence.
    "Wilem?"
    There was no answer. Talon looked back at Fehri. "Wait out here."
    "Yes, General," Fehri replied.
    Talon shrugged off the cloak. He placed it on the ground with the cure, and then stuck the knife between his teeth and slipped into the hole feet first. He pushed himself hard, sliding in and landing on the earthen floor with his legs bent, the weapon shifted from mouth to hand. His heart pounded as his eyes went straight back to the rear of the cave.
    He lowered the knife, breathing out heavily and feeling his body relax. Wilem was on the floor next to Eryn, her head on his chest. He stood and stared at them, watching the slight rise and fall of their chests, grateful that he had made it back in time.
    "Fehri," Talon said, leaning back into the hole.
    "Yes, General?"
    "Bring me the cure."

CHAPTER TWENTY
    Eryn

    "Silas?"
    Eryn pushed herself into a sitting position, gasping for breath, her heart shaking beneath her breast. She blinked her eyes over and over, trying to adjust to the mix of darkness and light, to figure out where she