“Look, I know you want to go to your uncle’s,” he says. “Live a quiet life and all that. I just want to square up with you. War is coming. The mountain folks aren’t exactly neutral. We don’t do quiet. We’re the sons and daughters of revolutionaries. Our parents delivered secret messages; they defied the gods. That’s who we are….” He locks eyes with me. “I think that’s who you are, too. We’ll take you to Dig’s place. If all you want is the quiet life? No worries. I wish you well, but someone like you will make a difference in what’s coming. Think about it.”

He winks once before turning and barking orders at his men.

I watch the crew rally to him, excited for new marching orders. The wildness of his invitation thrums in my chest. It takes effort to bury that rebellious voice. I know that a quiet life is the right choice. Some pasture up in the mountains with a couple of horses. My family visiting when they can. That wouldn’t be the worst life in the world.

But my mind is drawn back to the map on Antonio Rowan’s desk. The next few months will transform those figurines into real armies. The towns he marked will become battle locations. I’ve known the names of some of those towns my whole life. There are Dividian people—my people—who call those places home. Who’s going to fight for them?

The sun is rising over the mountains.

I spread out my phoenix’s ashes. As I kneel over them, Luca approaches with the belt of components I requested. He stands there at my shoulder like he’s about to witness a miracle.

“Finally get to see the Alchemist in action.”

I smile. “I fell in love with alchemy when I was a little girl. It wasn’t the rebirths. Or the riding, really. It was the components. I loved that a pinch of onyx could summon a horse with shock-resistant hooves. But if you take a whole handful of the stuff?” Carefully, I start spreading the necessary powders, mixing them in perfect circles. “A whole handful will get you a horse with an armored hide. Just a few ounces. That’s the only difference between a proper country riding horse and one that’s ready to ride into battle. I love that even the smallest details count.”

Luca asks the one question that matters.

“Which one are you going to summon?”

I rise, dusting my hands off, eyes to the distant mountains. We watch the sun cut through the valley and stir my ashes. I stare into that blinding light and smile.

“Let’s ride.”

Chapter 48: Home

On the first holy day after the Races, he returns.