“I know, Te-Gen. The… order… was placed by a young girl I’ve known as Evie. It concerns your husband, whose name is Brio.”

Lexi is forced to reach out and grip Taru’s forearm in order to steady herself. Hearing Brio’s name, spoken as if he is still alive, causes her knees to buckle.

Taru may be equally as shocked, but it’s quickly replaced by suspicion.

“What do you know of Evie?”

“She’s also called Ashana,” Spud-Bar answers, recognizing the test in that question. “She willingly gave herself over to… to the Legion to find Brio. Do you know of the Legion I speak?”

Even Taru’s guard softens at that.

“I do. My husband was investigating such a Legion when he disappeared. You’re saying Brio… he’s… he’s alive?” Lexi asks.

“Yes, Te-Gen. Worse for the wear, but alive, and with Evie when last I left them.”

Lexi closes her eyes for just a moment, every hope and every fear she locked away lest either of them overcome her springing forth and saturating her being.

Taru channels relief into more practical concerns. “And where was that?”

“The Sicclunan front. At least, it was when I left. The Skrain is making a big push into what’s left of Sicclunan land. The front has probably moved another ten leagues by now.”

“I am grateful to you for bringing us this news,” Lexi begins, ever the formal hostess. “However, can you tell us why you are here instead of Ashana and my husband? Her mission was not only to find him, but to bring him back to me.”

“For all I know, Te-Gen, they’ve already made their escape. It’s not that easy for Savages. Most of ’em are plucked from their lives against their will and for no true crime. The Legion, and most especially who exactly makes up the Legion, isn’t meant to be known among you folk in the cities. I’m only allowed to return here to draw weapons and materials and help with new recruits. They mark Savages with a special coin that stains their blood and their skin in case any of ’em run. A Savage caught out of camp by blood hunters usually returns with their guts ripped out. Pardon me.”

Taru frowns heavily, looking to Lexi, whose expression says she’s having the same thoughts: The men who tried to murder her were Savages, and Spud-Bar has just confirmed that Savages couldn’t have reached the Gen Circus unless they were sent by those in power.