Storm Harbor

Darius is back in a city that he once called home to hopefully clear his name.

The Eagle Parrot cut across the bay under a low sky smeared with bruised colored clouds. Storm harbor lay ahead a cluster of towers and stone arches rising from the cliffs, bridged by narrow skywalks and threaded with banners that barely stirred in the still air.

Darius stood at the prow; eyes fixed on the city he once called a haven. The crystal's weight pressed against his side beneath his coat, but heavier still was the truth Justina had confessed.

“Almost there,” she said, nodding toward the high stone bridge that marked the harbor’s entrance. “Do you really think the magistrate will listen?”

“He’ll listen,” Darius said. “The question is whether he’ll act.”

As the ship slipped beneath the towering arches of the gate bridge, a group of black garbed sentries stepped forward along the docks. Their presence was expected Darius’s bounty still hung on every post from Storm harbor to Daggerdeep. What wasn’t expected was the woman waiting just behind them.

She wore a cloak the color of deep violet, her hands folded calmly in front of her, and a ring glittering on her finger silver set with onyx, carved with the sigil of a tower struck by lightning.

Darius’s breath caught in his throat.

Elara’s hand fell to the hilt of her blade. “She doesn’t look surprised to see us.”

“No,” Darius muttered. “She looks like she’s been waiting.”

The gangplank lowered. As Darius stepped onto the dock, the woman lifted her chin slightly and offered a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Darius Vale,” she said. “We have much to discuss.”

He didn’t move. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t turn and walk away.”

She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a near whisper. “Because you’ve already crossed the point of no return.