104: The Road To Vir (Maiya) (Patreon)

Maiya fell to her knees. She looked upon the empty dune in front of her, searching for the faintest sign of familiarity. And yet, there was none to be found.

“This has to be the place!” Maiya said through gritted teeth. She picked up a handful of sand, allowing it to filter through the gap between her fingers.

So why is it gone? How?

Riyan’s abode was missing. Not destroyed, not ransacked… simply gone. In its place was an ordinary sand dune, identical to all those that surrounded her.

She knew she was in the right place. She’d navigated here dozens of times on Bumpy, if not more.

It was as if she was caught in a nightmare. A reality that looked identical to the one she knew, but was slightly different. A warped, twisted reality.

Maiya mounted her Acira. The black beast flapped its mighty scaled wings and took to the skies.

No longer did she travel via Ash’va—Acira were many times faster, and could fly straight, reducing travel times significantly. Not to mention the power they symbolized.

Acira were a luxury only the wealthiest Sawai could hope to afford, but her new station afforded her a slew of privileges unavailable to the masses. One of which was an Acira at her beck and call. While she didn’t own it, she could use it as she pleased. Mostly; all flights had to be scheduled well in advance, and she shared the beast with several others.

For this particular trip, she'd ensured all Kin'jal livery had been removed prior to flight; it'd cause an uproar if a Kin'jal military asset was seen in Hiranya. Now, the beast looked like the property of a wealthy Sawai.

What would’ve been a twenty-minute journey to the caves south of Riyan’s home took only five, and when Maiya saw the pockmarked network of holes in the side of the rolling hills, Maiya breathed easy.

At least that’s still there. At least she wasn’t going insane.

Maiya’s Acira—which she’d named Frumpy—set down gently at the opening of a cave that was all too familiar to her.

Maiya lit up a Magic Lantern and ran through the caves, tracing the path to their secret stash. Losing no time, she tossed aside the rocks that covered the hole and reached in.

Maiya let out a breath. The supplies were all gone, as was the coin. She was happy he’d taken them. No doubt he needed them more than she did. But in their place was a note, hastily scrawled on charcoal.

Daha Brotherhood Sanctum. Ask for Apramor. Introduce yourself as Maiya. Mission failed. On the run, but safe. Don’t know where I’ll go from here, but they’ll know by the time you find this. Want to find you. Riyan’s home burned to the ground. Riyan missing. Find me, Maiya. Miss you.

Before Maiya realized it, tears began trickling down her face. All this time, she’d missed Vir. She knew she missed him. But now, as she read his note, her heart throbbed. It was as if a void in her chest had formed. One that only Vir’s presence could fill.

With renewed vigor, she rose, clutching the note as if it were an S Grade orb. When Riyan’s abode had disappeared, she’d despaired. But now? Now she had a lead. And she’d be damned if she didn’t pursue it.

— —

Less than an hour later, Maiya circled high above Daha, giving its hot air balloons and its Vimana a wide berth.

Whereas Vimana Kin’jal was elegant and somewhat austere, Vimana Hiranya was opulent and lavish beyond belief—and larger, too. The entire superstructure glinted with gold, and Maiya suspected countless other precious materials and gems also went into its construction.

The city beneath was a different story. Even from this altitude, the garbage-ridden Warrens ringing the city tarnished the view with its ramshackle structures. She felt like she could smell the stench of sewage and unwashed sweat.

It was ironic. Just six months ago, she’d have been dazzled by Daha. But now? It felt dilapidated… and small. The city was only a fraction of the size of Sonam. The entire city could fit into Sonam’s Stadium Quarter. Perhaps her sense of scale was off—Sonam was the largest city in the Known World, after all. Larger in population than even The Altani’s crown jewel, Alt Ashani.

But the situation inside the city was only marginally better. Maiya swooped low, looking down at its many slums. The District of Internal Affairs and the Royal Grounds were, of course, immaculate, but boasted far too much gold for Maiya’s liking.

Maybe they modeled the city after their Vimana? she thought. It was as if someone had just slapped gold onto buildings to pretty them up. It felt… hollow. While Sonam was more stark and bare, it had a sense of military beauty, and even its Sawai residences were built with security and strength in mind.

Or maybe the Kin’jal way of thinking is just rubbing off on me…

Regardless, Maiya wasn’t here to critique Daha. She landed her Acira directly in the Brotherhood Sanctum’s stable, flipping a silver to the stablehand to take care of her prized beast.

Good thing I packed my cloak, Maiya thought, flipping up the hood of her simple brown garment. Dahans preferred drab colors; her handmaiden outfit would have stuck out like a sore thumb. Then again, raising attention might not have been a bad thing for what she was about to try.

Sure enough, her arrival had already attracted the attention of the Brotherhood officials.

A veiled greeter wearing a black cloak stepped forward. “How may I help you, esteemed visitor?” the man said with a small bow.

“I have business with your Prime Executor. Take me to them.”

“I’m afraid the head Prime Executor is quite a busy individual. Do you have a prior appointment?”

Maiya sighed, tossing the man a handful of silvers. “Trust me, I’ll make it worth your while.”

The veiled figure paused for a moment. “This way, please.”

Maiya had heard many things about the Brotherhood of Mercenaries. That they were a competent organization, known as the Keepers of Secrets in some Sonamite Sawai circles. But were they truly Keepers of Secrets? Or merely Keepers whose tongues became loose the moment their coin purses filled up?

For her sake, Maiya sincerely hoped it was the latter.

The veiled man led her through a courtyard to a small door that looked chiseled out of the stone.

“The Prime Executor will see you now,” the veiled man said, ushering her into a barebones, cave-like room. If this was where their highest official lived, Maiya never wanted to join this organization.

Behind a stone table sat another veiled figure, though their black robe boasted more embroidery and design than the one who had ushered her.

“You have business with me?” the Executor said.

“I’m looking for someone. A mercenary who was here recently.”

“I’m afraid the details of our internal affairs are a closely kept secret.”

Maiya produced a seric coin and laid it upon the table. Until recently, such a sum would’ve made her faint, and even now, it represented all of her earnings. But no price was too heavy when it came to Vir.

The veiled figure went silent for a moment, and Maiya could almost feel his disdain.

“We cannot be bought. If you knew anything about our—”

“His name is Apramor. He came here recently and joined your group. Please. I need this.”

“Apramor… Apramor. Why does that name—ah.”

The Executor rose from his desk. “Wait here,” he said, disappearing behind a curtain to rummage around.

After several moments, he returned with a folder. Untying the fabric that held it shut, he slowly opened it, keeping it out of eyesight.

“Your name?” the Prime Executor asked.

“M-Maiya.”

“You gave this mercenary a gift when you two last saw each other. What was it?”

“A beaded bracelet,” Maiya said immediately. “I spent a lot of time making that, y’know?”

It took everything she had not to smile. So he did find the bracelet… But if he had the bracelet, why didn’t he know where she was? The letter she’d left behind should’ve pointed him to Sonam. Was there some reason he couldn’t search for her?

“Very well. Redheaded teen. You match the description. As I said, we take our members’ privacy very seriously.”

“But?” Maiya asked.

“But… the mercenary in question asked us to convey his information to you if you ever came asking. Even so, I shall divulge nothing our Acolyte has not explicitly asked us to say.”

Maiya gulped and leaned forward, eager to soak up every word.

“Your friend rose from Initiate to Acolyte here in Daha, but has since moved on.”

“How long ago? Where?”

“He departed some weeks ago in great haste. The note here says he was bound for Zorin.”

“Zorin?” Maiya asked. “The little town on Rani’s western coast?”

“The same,” the Executor said with a nod.

Why would he go there?

“What else can you tell me? Is he safe?”

“He travels with an Ash’va and a spotted brown-and-white Bandy. I am afraid that is all I can tell you,” the veiled man said, sliding the seric coin she’d laid down back to her. “We appreciate the gesture, but the Brotherhood cannot be bought. Not by you. Not even by royalty.”

Maiya nodded, rising from her chair. “I apologize for the offense.”

“None taken. Happy hunting.”

Maiya cracked a smile. “Thanks.”

Spinning on her heel, she left the Sanctum. Rani was far—too far for a flight today, and her duties would not allow it. She was due back at Sonam, and she dare not be late, lest they revoke her flight privileges.

Unlike what the head handmaiden had implied, Maiya had returned to Sonam only to deal with more chores and training. But eyes were slowly taking notice. Important eyes. The day she would meet with princess Ira drew nearer and nearer.

But she couldn’t bring herself to be sullen. After all, she’d found Vir’s trail. And, like Neel, she’d relentlessly pursue it. The world wasn’t large enough to keep the two of them apart for long. Not nearly.

“Just a little longer. I’m coming for you, Vir.”