Page 114 of Queen’s Gambit

‘Again, it depends.’ I shrugged and crouched next to him. ‘Build me a portal to the Tangrian Gate, and nothing changes. Refuse, and my pet gains a companion.’

The man looked at me, then flicked his gaze to the monster and back. He turned his whole head this time, focusing on the medallion hanging from Niersen’s deformed neck.

‘I’ll build you a portal. Where do you want it and when?’ he said. He attempted to stand, slipping when Niersen growled at him.

‘Here and now,’ I answered. ‘My pet will guard you to ensure it remains open. After I return, you’ll be free. Fail me, and you’ll suffer.’

He nodded, grasping the decorative frieze.

As he worked, I judged his nervousness. Boyan and Ciesko would never accept such a response under pressure.

The runes were sloppy. More scratches on the wall than magical schemata. Would they even take me to the right place? Fear of becoming lost in the void or trapped inside a cliff murmured in the back of my mind, but in the end, it didn’t matter. The fae captain was almost done when Reynard burst into the room.

‘Run from me again, and I swear to the gods I’ll chain you to my hip,’ he gasped, glancing between the fae and the monster.

‘I will never leave you, Reynard Erenhart. You and Cinared are all that’s good in my soul,’ I said, placing my hand on Niersen’s head when the monster growled.

‘Yet, you’re going to him.’ Rey’s shoulders slumped as he shook his head.

‘Yes… have you seen Irsha and Siras?’ I asked, taking stock of any unfinished business in case I didn’t return.

‘Your Blade rescued the Prefect not a moment too soon. Sana, please send someone else,’ Rey pleaded. He frowned when the creature growled louder at his approach.

‘This is Tova we’re talking about, and I don’t even know what’s happened. No, I’m going.’ I forced a smile as the runes glowed. ‘Keep Niersen from eating my portal maker.’

The fae chanted, and behind me, the glyph pulsed with darkness. Rey’s eyes shot down, his gaze lingering on the creature. He gasped.

‘That’s Lily’s husband?’ When I nodded, he smirked. ‘He had it coming. Let me go with you…’

‘No!’ I answered quickly. ‘You’re the King. Your duty is here. Ensure he keeps the portal open.’

I dived into the void between worlds, focused on Tova. I hoped I wasn’t too late.

The void embraced me with cold nothingness. I was weightless, drifting between realities, and for a heartbeat, I felt nothing, was nothing. Then the world snapped back into focus as the portal spat me out onto a barren hill.

The ground crunched beneath me. Even the air was stale. It tasted of musty hay and mouldy grain, and the dust worked itself into every crease of my skin.

My body protested when I stood, every movement a struggle against an invisible force crushing me beneath its weight. I was still a fair distance from the Gate, its black silhouette looming over the hill, dark, inert, but no less threatening. The fae must have used this location when the Gate was active, but that meant I still had some way to travel.

Every step was draining, but I focused on putting one foot in front of the other as I jogged towards the structure.

‘Tova! Show yourself, you bloody-minded tinkerer!’ I kept shouting, but no one answered.

I came across a small camp, the firepit still smouldering while Dark Fae soldiers packed up their tents. Their captain noticed me first and frowned. He looked around with one hand on his sword.

‘Where’s Tova?’ I yelled, rushing towards him. There was pity in his eyes. A pity that stopped me in my tracks. I grasped the lapels of his uniform and shook him. ‘Where. Is. The. Dwarf?’

‘He told us to leave and went to the Gate two hours ago.’ The captain patted his vest and pulled out a piece of parchment. ‘This is for you.’

My hand shook as I opened it. Tova’s scrawl filled the page. I’d recognise that square handwriting and chaotic rambling anywhere. It was, as always, a stream of thought poured onto paper. I could barely read it through the haze of tears filling my eyes.

So you found it. I knew you would. With Svarog’s help, the Gate no longer threatens the land. Don’t be mad. One of us had to do it, and it’s better I did it rather than you. Don’t cry, Drah’sa. I forbid it. You have a life to live, a man who loves you. Don’t you dare cry. There’s no place for tears here. Fuck, I’m afraid, you know? But if there’s a chance… it might work if I use both keys. Sana, you made me a better person, and I lived life to the fullest because of it. It was an honour to call you family.

That was it.

That damn fool dwarf had to be all noble and sacrifice himself. Black dots swam in my vision, blurring in front of my eyes. I couldn’t breathe; a scream clawed at my throat, but no sound came out.

‘My lady, are you alright? You there, fetch some water!’ the captain shouted.