The Shape of Tomorrow

SPOILER WARNING – The Tales from Divinia are companion stories best enjoyed after reading the main novel. The Shaping of Tomorrow takes place during chapter twenty four of The Trials of Divinia and therefore contains spoilers.

Blurb:

As Talon fights for the fate of Divinia, Cairn can do little but watch from the sidelines. With Kaida badly injured and the future of the champions uncertain, his mind drifts back through the weeks that brought them together, from shared ambitions and quiet conversations to an unexpected love he convinced himself could never last.

Now, standing on the edge of losing everything, Cairn must face the truth he has spent too long avoiding. Some futures are carefully planned. Others are shaped by the people who unexpectedly become part of them.

---

“We’re not swimming beyond this point,” Talon shouted to them over the wind. “The water’s changing.”

Cairn clung to the side of one of the four small wooden boats and tried to steady his breathing. Beside him, he could hear the others – Talon, Kaida, Selene, and Garrick – doing the same.

He risked a quick glance between two of the vessels and was greeted by the sight of waves even more vicious than those which had come before.

There was no way they would be able to keep swimming.

And these boats were only going to seat one person each without capsizing.

One of them was going to have to turn back.

He felt no sudden shock at the realisation. This was clearly how the gods had intended the trial to unfold. Seven stages – each a reimagining of the trials they had already faced – with their team being slowly chipped away until only Talon remained.

“I don’t mind dropping out here,” he managed, as loudly as he could.

Talon looked at him, doubt written across his face. Cairn tried to smile back.

“I’m exhausted,” he added. “And let’s be honest – I wasn’t built for this.”

That much was definitely true – and yet, less than a week after vowing never to set foot in the Tempestian waves again, here he was.

“You’ll make it,” said Kaida, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He felt a sudden warmth at her touch.

Without waiting for any confirmation, he took a final deep breath and kicked off hard from the side of the boat, beginning the swim back to shore.

He could only hope Talon, Kaida, and the others would be okay without him.

Despite there being no pressure on him to complete the return swim quickly – with the bridge in the Nivalis section of the course having collapsed, he had nowhere to go – he formed the strokes as quickly as he could. The sooner he could be out of this water for good, the better.

He was about halfway back when he felt a sudden tug beneath the surface.

That was strange, he thought. Whilst the swimming had been difficult, he’d never felt anything like that before.

And yet... there it was again.

Firmer this time. With enough force to pull his chin and nose beneath the water for a moment, causing him to choke and splutter as he kicked back against it.

He needed to get out of here.

And then... the strongest pull yet.

He was completely submerged. It was like an iron-clad grip had taken hold of his feet, then his ankles, then his legs, dragging him downwards with alarming speed.

For a moment, he tried to twist his body around, tried to point himself downwards so that he might be able to see his attacker and fight back.

But as he did, another invisible force pushed him back into place.

This was it. This was how it was going to end.

Time seemed, for a moment, to slow.

He closed his eyes and tried, in that moment, to think of something happy.

He was awake.

He often woke early. It was the beast handler in him. When you spent so much of your life moving from place to place, with no fixed routine and always with new challenges to occupy your mind, it was only natural.

The room they’d been given in Kaida’s family home was still quiet. He raised himself onto one elbow to look around. Even Garrick, who had sat quietly, awake and alert long after Talon and the others had gone to bed, was still asleep.

He considered lying back down for a moment, but there seemed little point.

Getting up as quickly and quietly as he could, he got himself ready and, stepping carefully over Bren’s sprawled form, slipped out of the room.

From there, he made his way outside. He had never been to Drake’s Hollow before and had been hoping to see a little more of it before they left. It was so different from the rest of Ferroxia, with its natural drake enclosures and refreshing approach to creature care.

He was just about to go for a short walk through the village when he stopped, startled by the sight of a woman with auburn hair sitting a short distance away. She was facing away from the house, watching the light slowly spread across the landscape as the sun rose.

Kaida.

Intrigued, he made his way over to her.

“Hey,” he said uncertainly. “You’re up early.”

Kaida looked up and gave him a half smile.

“I knew it would be a while before I saw my home again. I just wanted to make the most of it,” she replied.

“Of course,” said Cairn. “I’m sorry. I should leave you to it.”

“No, don’t worry, it’s fine,” Kaida reassured him. “It would be nice to have some company.”

Cairn nodded and sat down beside her. As he did, he looked around at their surroundings once more.

“I can see why you like it here,” he said. “It’s not like the rest of Ferroxia.”

Her smile widened slightly.

“True,” she said simply.

“Have you travelled much?” he asked, searching for conversation.

“A bit,” she replied hesitantly. “I train one of the teams for the Dragon Championships, so we travel to different cities for the events, but…”

Her words trailed off.

“But?” Cairn prompted.

“I’m getting a bit fed up with it,” she admitted. “Drake’s Hollow doesn’t get much respect from the other trainers because our methods are a little more… unorthodox. It’s hard to stay motivated when people are constantly insulting you. And I miss my home. I think I’m happier here.”

Cairn considered her words. There was more to this than she was saying, but they barely knew each other. Now was not the time to start asking difficult questions.

“I can see why,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of places across Ferroxia, and you're one of the few communities that treats its creatures with the respect they deserve. You build a bond so strong that it must be difficult to understand why others wouldn't do the same. Then, when they win, it feels like they're being rewarded for their cruelty.

“But someone has to show them there's a better way. Otherwise, nothing will ever change.”

Kaida raised an eyebrow.

“What made you so wise?” she asked with a laugh.

“Bitter experience,” he replied with a grin.

“Oh?” she asked, her curiosity evident.

“I’ve done my best in my role as a beast handler to campaign for the better treatment of creatures and animals. Not just drakes. All the creatures of Ferroxia. But it’s difficult. I don’t represent anything larger than myself. I have no real influence, and people see no reason to change just because one person disagrees. I hope that one day I can help bring about real change, but I know that, if I’m going to do that, I need to find others who think like me so that we can join forces.”

Kaida nodded slowly.

“I get the sense we have quite a lot in common, you and I,” she said.

“Perhaps you’re right,” he replied, allowing himself to smile fully for the first time.

“It’s all a little strange, don’t you think?” she asked, changing the subject slightly. “The Celestial Trials. Talon. Representing Ferroxia. I still don’t know quite what to make of it all.”

“Oh, it’s definitely strange,” he chuckled. “But what an opportunity. To visit the city of the gods. To meet people from other regions. To learn about their cultures. It could be exactly the opportunity we’ve both been looking for.”

“You’re right,” she grinned. “I hadn’t looked at it like that before. We should make the most of it. Everything else will still be here when we get back.”

“I say we enjoy it, whatever the result,” he added.

“Agreed,” she said, rising to her feet. “And on that note, I should probably go and start preparing our flight for today. There’s no point worrying about it before we even get there.”

“Sounds good,” he said, standing up too and stretching.

“Thanks for the talk, Cairn. I’ll see you soon.”

With that, she walked away, and the scene faded from his mind.

He felt groggy as he came to.

As he did, he became vaguely aware of a loud noise somewhere nearby. He focused on it.

People.

A crowd.

He opened his eyes.

He was in the Arena of Trials. A pair of aetherbound drifted soundlessly on either side of him. He was already on his feet, walking towards one of the stands, seemingly unaware of his own movements.

Then his heart leapt.

In front of him, looking equally disorientated, sat Lyra and Bren.

He gave his head a slight shake and blinked several times before looking again.

They were still there.

This was real.

He sat down beside them gratefully.

“What’s happening?” he whispered.

“Talon has just moved into the fifth stage of the trial,” said Lyra excitedly. “He’s not far behind Cassian now. Kaida and Garrick are still with him. Selene should be here soon.”

It took a moment for Cairn to process the information. Then the pieces began to fall back into place. The final trial. One teammate eliminated after each stage. If Selene was about to join them, that meant she had left the trial after him, leaving Talon with just two teammates - including Kaida.

He looked towards the centre of the arena. The scene before them, controlled by the gods, flipped between Cassian and Talon every thirty seconds or so, allowing the crowd to follow both champions' progress.

Each time the Ferroxian team came into view, he found himself instinctively searching for Kaida. Through the glaring sun and swirling sands of the Solarian desert, however, it was difficult to make her out.

He caught only a glimpse of her, standing between Talon and Garrick, when suddenly the light around them intensified. Within seconds, he could no longer see any of them.

What had happened? Was something wrong with the projection?

The view shifted instead to Cassian's team.

No, he thought. Go back. Something important is happening.

Finally, the scene changed once more.

There was Talon.

Garrick.

And...

His heart skipped a beat.

Kaida lay across Garrick's shoulder, her eyes closed.

No...

She couldn't be.

He had seen her standing barely a minute earlier.

His mind raced back through every challenge they had faced together. She had always been so strong. Even after being poisoned in the Verdantian labyrinth, she had insisted on fighting on.

What could have done this to her?

He glanced at Lyra and Bren. They wore the same anxious expressions. Selene had still not reached them.

What could he do?

How could he help her?

He couldn't remember ever feeling so helpless.

He forced himself to look away.

He would know soon enough.

For now, he would cling to the one comforting thought he had. If Kaida was still able to fight, she would.

Cairn and Kaida were alone in the main room of the Ferroxian quarters. As always, they were the first to rise. It had become an unspoken tradition for them to spend this short slice of each morning together.

But today was not like any other day. Even by the standards of Concordia, today was different.

Today was the day of the first trial.

“You ready then?” he asked, watching Kaida sort through her gear on the floor.

“I think so,” she said briskly. “It’ll be good to get going after so many weeks of preparing.”

“You’re not nervous about looking after two teenagers?” he asked quietly.

She looked up at him, a hint of surprise on her face.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well…” he said hesitantly. “Lyra’s great, don’t get me wrong, but she’s also the least experienced. Throwing her into the first trial is quite the show of faith. I just hope it doesn’t end up falling entirely on you to get them through.”

She raised an eyebrow, as she always did when she was challenging him.

“So what if it does?”

She paused for a moment.

“You’re jealous, aren’t you?”

He held out his hands in a placating gesture.

“A little,” he admitted. “But mostly curious. Talon keeps taking me by surprise.”

Kaida sighed, setting aside her staff and turning to face him properly.

“He is unconventional,” she admitted. “But isn’t that why we chose to follow him? Because we were both looking for something… different. A different kind of Ferroxian?”

“You have a point,” Cairn conceded. “I just worry the trials are going to be harder than he thinks.”

“You should have more faith in him,” Kaida replied. “I’ve watched him grow every day – not just as a competitor, but as a leader. When I shared my own doubts with him, he helped quieten them too. He might not get everything right the first time, but by the end of this week, he’ll have us in a good position. I’m sure of it.”

He found himself smiling at her words.

“And I know you’ll help make sure of it. As will I, when I get my chance.”

“Your time will come,” she grinned. “Soon you’ll be wondering why you were so desperate to do a trial when you’re on your third or fourth.”

“Speak for yourself,” he laughed.

As the conversation settled into a comfortable silence, he added, “Good luck today, Kaida.”

“Kaida, are you okay?”

It was Lyra who had spoken.

Moments earlier, Kaida had, to his immense relief, emerged from the trial conscious and back on her feet alongside the aetherbound – just as he had.

Only she looked somehow even more dazed and confused than he had felt. She was also walking with a pronounced limp and grimacing with every step.

He had moved as quickly as he could to reach her, lift her arm over his shoulders, and help her across to their row of seats at the front of the stands.

If the aetherbound had been perturbed by his intervention, they gave no sign of it. Then again, they never showed any sign of anything.

“I’m… I’m… okay, I think,” she managed in a whisper as Cairn eased her into a seat.

“What happened?” asked Bren. “We just saw a lot of light, and then suddenly you’d been knocked out.”

“I… I don’t know,” she stammered. “One minute I was there with Talon and Garrick, and then this creature approached us. It seemed to materialise around us. Then the next thing I knew... I was waking up on the edge of the arena.”

“I... We’re just glad you’re alright,” said Cairn, correcting himself.

Lyra and Bren appeared not to notice, but Kaida’s eyes met his for the briefest moment before darting away again.

“How’s Talon doing?” she asked.

“He’s just gone into the Elysium section,” said Bren, gesturing towards the dark clouds now swirling above the arena's central platform where the competitors were taking part in the trial. “Cassian’s in there too.”

“They went in at the same time,” added Lyra. “So it’s anyone’s for the taking. It’ll come down to who gets through Morpheus’ trial first.”

Silence settled over the group as they stared into the swirling darkness before them.

“Where’s Selene?” asked Kaida suddenly.

Cairn felt his breath catch.

He had been so focused on Kaida, so worried about her wellbeing, that he had forgotten about Selene. She should have been here. She had left the trial after him but before Kaida.

So why wasn't she?

His thoughts drifted briefly to the Nivalis champion, Orion, struck down by a still-unidentified attacker.

Surely not...

He thought back once more.

He stood at the edge of the dancefloor, drink in hand.

It had been a good day. Lyra, Garrick, and Selene had excelled in their trial, finishing second, and now they were only four points off the top of the standings. The gap had more than halved with one good result.

What was more, after taking part in both the Nivalis and Tempestus trials, he had been given the chance to rest and recuperate. He had never expected to feel grateful for such an opportunity, but the trials had been both physically and mentally draining. It was hard to believe Talon had already completed four. Kaida had been right about him. He was proving himself more every day.

The champions’ dinner had been a pleasant distraction. Whilst Talon had been obliged to sit with the other champions, he and the other teammates had been free to sit together, enjoying good food, a few drinks, and each other's company without worrying who might be listening.

It had been hard not to laugh when the dancing had first begun, led by the gods and then by the champions, but he had found himself watching in admiration as Talon stepped onto the dancefloor with Calista, the champion of Luminara, with whom he seemed to have developed a genuine rapport. It was admirable that Talon refused to let social convention stop him from doing what he wanted, even with the gods watching. It was yet another sign of his growing confidence and belief in himself.

Cairn himself had very little experience of dancing. He had been taught the basic steps of traditional Ferroxian dances in his youth, as all children were, but that part of his education was more than a decade behind him. He could only be thankful that, without Talon's status as champion, he was under no such obligation or expectation.

He finished the rest of his drink and set the empty glass on the nearest table.

Perhaps one more, he thought.

After all, it was Talon and Bren taking part in tomorrow's trial. He would have another day to recover.

He could afford a slightly sore head in the morning.

Just as he prepared to move, there was a sudden tap on his shoulder.

He turned and found Kaida standing in front of him.

He had to stop himself from doing a double take.

She looked stunning in her red, flame-like dress, which complemented her hair perfectly. For once, it had been allowed to fall past her shoulders and down her back, rather than being tied up ready for action. She wore an unusually playful smile.

“Can I interest you in a dance?” she asked.

“Really?” he blurted out before he could stop himself.

She giggled. He had never heard Kaida giggle before.

“Of course,” she said. “If you think you can keep up.”

“Challenge accepted,” he laughed, taking her outstretched hand.

He found the dancing easier than he had expected.

He and Kaida moved together naturally, just as they had during the Tempestus trial and, before that, throughout their training. It was as though they instinctively understood what the other was about to do without a word being spoken.

She smiled up at him as they came back together after one particularly daring twirl, drifting apart to weave around several other couples before spinning back into each other's arms. He smiled back.

Over her shoulder, he noticed Lyra and Bren struggling to hide their laughter behind their hands.

He found he did not much care.

He couldn't remember the last time he had enjoyed himself so much.

“Shall we get some air?” Kaida asked as one song ended and another quickly began.

“Sounds good,” said Cairn, gesturing for her to lead the way.

Once they were outside, Kaida took a seat on a small patch of grass, curling her legs up beneath her. He did the same.

“It’s strange to think that in a few days we’ll be heading home,” said Kaida.

He hadn't been expecting that to be her opening thought. To be honest, it hadn't really occurred to him either. With just three trials remaining, the end of their time in Concordia was far closer than he had allowed himself to believe.

“I know what you mean,” he said. “I've kind of got used to being here. To being together.”

“What are you going to do afterwards?” she asked.

He considered the question. He had already told Bren. There was no reason not to tell Kaida too.

“I hope to go to Skelderath,” he said. “I'd like to find a position where I can influence the Warbound Council, help change some of the laws around the treatment of creatures, and create more sanctuaries like Drake's Hollow, where they're seen as more than just tools.”

She smiled.

“That's a good plan.”

“What about you?”

“I'd like to go back to tending the drakes full-time,” she answered. “I've been part of the Dragon Championships for six years, and it's given me a lot. But it isn't quite the same as being the one to raise them from infancy.”

Cairn nodded.

“Perhaps if I can persuade Ferroxia to change its stance on drake care, if I can get the people in Drakhar to listen, then you won't feel as though you have to stay in Drake's Hollow. You could share your methods everywhere.”

“That's a nice thought,” she said wistfully, resting her head against his shoulder. “Maybe we could make a deal. That we'll always try to help each other, even when we're far apart.”

Cairn chuckled.

“I've already made that deal with someone else this week.”

She turned to look at him, her expression half amused, half suspicious.

“Oh? Who?”

“Bren.”

He briefly recapped the story Bren had shared with him: his experiences in the forge, the offer the Blademaster, Halvar, had made him, and the decision waiting for him back home.

“There's no reason the three of us can't all look out for each other,” he finished.

“As long as I'm not going to be the third wheel,” Kaida laughed.

“Of course not,” said Cairn. “As I said, I think I've got used to having you all around.”

“Me too,” Kaida agreed. “Or rather... I've got used to having you around.”

She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

He wasn't sure whether the drinks had slowed his reactions or whether she had simply caught him completely by surprise.

“Sorry,” she said, suddenly uncertain. “Strange night.”

“No,” he said quickly. “It wasn't that. I liked it.”

“Thanks,” she replied, although she still looked slightly embarrassed.

He reached across and took her hand.

They looked at each other.

“I mean it,” he said. “I just wasn’t expecting it. I am now.”

This time, he leaned in first.

Their second kiss lasted much longer.

By the time they finally pulled apart, her cheeks had turned a delicate shade of red.

“Let's get back inside,” she said, the corners of her lips twitching into a smile.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur.

He felt a happiness unlike any he could remember, and found that it gave him a newfound confidence. At Kaida's suggestion, he even asked Selene if she would like a dance. The fire priest looked at him as though he had suggested racing dragons, but after a brief hesitation, she accepted.

He drifted between his friends, talking, laughing, and drinking far more than he had intended. Each time he found himself beside Kaida again, he felt his heart swell.

Eventually, the crowd in the hall began to thin as more people drifted back to their tables, though most seemed determined to make the most of the festivities. He noticed Orion hurry past, looking unhappy, and Cassian sitting grumpily in the corner, but the majority appeared relaxed and content.

What a night it had been.

It all happened so quickly.

The darkness surrounding the end of the trial vanished in an instant, revealing Talon and Cassian standing beside each other, each with a hand resting on the beacon.

Lykarian, the High Emissary, attempted to calm an increasingly restless crowd, only to be struck down by a fiery bolt unleashed by an aetherbound.

Chaos ensued, and the four of them almost immediately found themselves surrounded by more of the strange, faceless creatures.

There they waited, trapped within their makeshift cage while battle raged around them.

All the while, he thought of Kaida, sitting beside him and nursing her injuries.

He would protect her with everything he had.

Then, emerging through the crowd, there they were.

Talon...

And Selene.

Cutting their way towards them.

He felt a sudden pang of guilt for having suspected her of anything untoward. Here she was, risking everything to rescue them.

Suddenly, a blinding light flared around them.

He recognised it immediately. It was the same light he had seen just before Kaida had been forced out of the final trial. He instinctively reached towards her but withdrew his hand as he felt her flinch.

As colour returned to the world and their surroundings came back into focus, he blinked in surprise.

The aetherbound had changed.

Solidifying into what looked like corpses.

Ancient.

Broken.

But unmistakably human.

Talon struck first, swinging his sword at one of the aetherbound guarding them, followed by Selene, whose magic flared into life. Kaida, despite her injuries, let out a guttural roar as she charged forwards, the rest of them following in her wake.

No sooner had the fight begun than it was over.

They were reunited.

A brief moment of relief.

Then the battle erupted once more.

Thoros strode out of the citadel to join the fight, striking down Zephyros in his wake. Talon, never ceasing to amaze him, raced to meet him. Garrick, reappearing from who knew where, tried to intercept him, only to be struck down by the other champions.

What was going on?

The five of them followed Talon as quickly as they could.

He watched as Thoros swung his hammer at Talon, the young champion ducking and weaving out of the way, somehow remaining unharmed. Then, just as it looked as though the god of fire was about to deal the killing blow, Morpheus intercepted him.

The two gods faced each other as they joined the crowd climbing the stairway towards Talon. Calista, Kael, and Zara led the way, while Cairn and Kaida brought up the rear, Cairn supporting her as she muttered for him to hurry between grunts of pain.

They encircled Talon, forming a barrier around him.

He saw Thoros' eyes flare with anger.

There was no way they survived this.

He cursed under his breath.

He thought he would have time.

In that moment, he made himself a promise.

If they escaped this alive, he would put things right.

“Kaida, can we talk?” Cairn asked.

Talon had just finished a rousing speech ahead of the final trial. Each of them had spoken, in turn, about how much the past few weeks had meant to them.

He had meant what he had said. He had learnt what it meant to be part of a team. He had learnt to appreciate what others had to offer, and how they could help him achieve his goals rather than stand in the way of them.

But there had been something he had left unsaid too.

His goals were still the same as they had always been. To go to Skelderath. To meet Korrak Embervein, Ferroxia's chief beast handler. To influence positive change across their region.

He couldn't afford to lose sight of what he'd worked towards for so many years.

“What's up?” she asked after they had stepped out into the hallway beyond their quarters.

He could still see the tear track on her cheek where Talon's words had made her cry.

Tears of happiness.

He hoped what he needed to say wasn't about to have the opposite effect.

“About the other night... the dinner... the dancing...” he began.

Kaida looked surprised.

“What about it?” she asked.

“I... I still need to go to Skelderath,” he said. “Once this is over tomorrow, I mean. And you... you still need to go back to Drake's Hollow.”

“Yeah...” she said, her curious expression slowly giving way to confusion. “Are you feeling alright, Cairn?”

He struggled to find the right words. He wasn't good at this.

“I just mean... you don't... you shouldn't feel like you have to come with me.”

Her eyes narrowed almost immediately.

“I wasn't aware you'd asked me to come with you,” she said bluntly. “We just said we'd stay in touch. Look out for each other from afar. But if that's not what you want...”

She trailed off.

“No, it is. I just... I want a lot of things,” he began. “And if the other things I want got in the way...”

“Got in the way,” she repeated, her voice rising. “Well, you needn't worry about that, Cairn. I'll stay well out of your way. I wouldn't want to distract you from your more important goals in life.”

She turned and strode back towards the door. As she reached it, she looked back just briefly.

“I really thought you were different.”

The disappointment in her voice stung more than the words themselves.

Then she stepped back into the room.

He stood there for a moment, stunned.

Then he followed.

It had been a long night.

Thoros had been defeated. Other than Garrick, who it turned out had been the one to attack Orion, Talon and the rest of his team had survived.

Morpheus had shared much. Their next steps were beginning to become clear.

Skelderath would have to wait. Particularly when all of Divinia was at stake.

But there was one more thing he had to resolve before he gave in to sleep. The thing he had promised himself, while standing between Talon and the god of fire, that he would do.

“Kaida,” he said tiredly.

They were walking as a group from the citadel back towards their quarters. He and Kaida lingered at the back, her arm still wrapped around him for support.

“Can I speak to you for a moment? Alone?”

She looked at him.

She grimaced, although he suspected that had more to do with her injuries than his request.

“Okay,” she said. “Although I hope it's going to be better than last time.”

He smiled at her attempt at humour. Despite everything.

They let the others move further ahead before he spoke.

“What I said yesterday... before the final trial. It came out wrong.”

“Agreed,” she said with a small laugh. “Want to try again?”

He chuckled.

Maybe it was her attitude. Maybe it was simply the relief of having survived. Whatever the reason, he suddenly felt calmer. More able to speak his mind.

“I do.”

She sighed.

“Go ahead, then.”

“Over the past few weeks you've become very important to me,” he said. “Maybe more important than anyone has been for a long time. Everything that happened in that arena only made that clearer. I think what I said yesterday... I said it because I felt vulnerable. I felt scared.”

“Scared?” asked Kaida, raising her eyebrow yet again.

“Scared of letting someone else into my life,” he continued. “Scared that you might not feel the same. Scared to ask whether we really could stay together while still pursuing our dreams. Instead, I think I was trying to give you permission to walk away.

“I can see now I was wrong.”

Silence settled between them for several heartbeats.

“Thank you,” said Kaida eventually. “I probably didn't handle it very well either. This... whatever this is... it's all new to me too.”

She smiled, and he returned it.

“So what now?” he asked.

“Well,” she said, “I think, lucky for you, we're going to be stuck with each other for a little while longer, trailing after Talon as he tries to save the world.”

“That's true,” he laughed.

“So you've got plenty of time to make it up to me,” she said with a wink. “And plenty of time for us to work out what this...” She gestured between them. “...is.”

Relief flooded through him.

“That sounds great.”

“Good,” Kaida chuckled. “Now finish helping me back to the quarters, would you? I don't think I've ever felt this tired in my life.”

And so they walked on, his arm still around her, their future still uncertain, but with a promise that whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.

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