Kaz wanted desperately to follow Owen to the low table, but the two messengers were staring at her. 

“He killed them,” said the taller of the two, the one with the light tenor voice. He still knelt beside Crayton, his narrow face angled in fear. 

“He didn’t mean to,” said Kaz. The words sounded feeble, for all that she knew them to be true. 

“Doesn’t matter,” said the shorter messenger, the one with the round face and husky voice. “If he can do that when he doesn’t mean it, what is he capable of when he does? And from what you said, you’re not much better. Why shouldn’t we just throw both of you back out into the storm?” His words were confident, but by the way he stood, legs braced wide and fists clenched, Kaz could tell that it was bravado. This man was just as scared as his companion. 

An irrational part of Kaz wanted to shoot lightning at them just to make them shut up. Her nerves were still jangling after all that had just happened, and she wanted nothing more than to make sure Owen was alright, eat food, and sleep. But she knew that intimidation wouldn’t make the situation any better. Neither would simply telling them to shut up or pointing out that she and Owen had a lot more power than either one of them did. They were clearly scared, and had good reason to be. She took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts. 

“Look,” she said. “You saw what those men were trying to do to us. Surely that’s enough to at least give you a sense of what’s at stake here.”

“A sense isn’t enough,” said the shorter one. His jaw was set stubbornly, and his eyes glinted with an intensity she didn’t like. “I’ll admit that what we just witnessed was clearly self-defense. But I think we deserve to know what’s really going on. First they say you killed the Sun King. And then they call you ñust’a and say they wanted to bring you back to Vidar, who they told us was the new Sun King. Forgive me if I’m a little confused.”

For a moment, Kaz sputtered at the enormity of the lie. Was that what Vidar was claiming? “I did not kill the sun king,” she said, so quietly that both men had to lean forward to hear her over the rain. “Vidar killed the entire royal family and wants to kill me too. He’s not even of royal blood. His claim to the throne is based on there being no one left alive to challenge him. Except for me. That’s why he’s after me. And as you’ve seen, the elements have clearly taken a stand, by giving me and my closest ally power. Does that give you a better sense of what’s at stake?” 

The taller one looked shocked, and nodded. The shorter one scowled. “That’s a pretty story. If it’s true. How do we know you’re telling the truth?” 

Kaz’s temper got the better of her for a moment. “You know what,” she snapped. “I don’t have to explain anything to you. If the fact that I’m not zapping you with lightning isn’t enough, then I’m not sure what to tell you.” In her anger, tendrils of electricity sizzled across her hands and face. Both men drew back. 

“Mattias, I think we should believe her,” said the taller one. His unspoken subtext rang through the room. Or she’ll hurt us, you idiot. 

“That’s...a fair point.” said the shorter one, casting a fleeting, guilty look at his companion. 

“Look,” said Kaz, trying to make peace with them. “I’m sorry about all of this. I don’t blame you for being scared. If it helps any, I’m scared too. I just spent the last three days running from these men after their boss killed my entire family. And then on top of that I got a power I don’t understand. If I’m prickly right now it’s because I’m freaked out and exhausted and I just watched my friend kill the three men who were after us in the first place. Can you blame me for being a little on edge?” 

There was another long silence. The two men exchanged a significant look. 

“I believe you,” said the taller one. “I think Mattias does too, but he’s too contrary to say so just yet. Please forgive us if we don’t jump into full hospitality mode. After what we just saw, we’re both still pretty freaked out as well. As long as you’re sure you know how not to point those scary powers at us, I at least am willing to let you ride out the rest of the storm here.”

Kaz breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you,” she said. “What was your name?” 

“I’m Stan. And this crankypuss is Mattias,” said the messenger with a slight smile. “Um...would you like some soup? We, uh, made extra…” He left the sentence hanging, its macabre implication hovering between them. 

Kaz’s stomach growled, surprising her. She had been too shocked to notice how hungry she was. “I would love some soup,” she said. “Thanks, Stan.” 

Stan scurried to the stove and began ladling soup into a ceramic bowl. Mattias squinted at her. “So you’re really the ñust’a, huh? I don’t exactly love the empire, but, you know, I’m sorry about your family and all.” 

“Thanks,” said Kaz. “I appreciate that.” 

“Hmph,” said Mattias, indistinctly. He made to sit down on one of the benches, saw the crumpled form of Crayton sprawled across it, and flinched away. 

“Um,” said Kaz. “Maybe we should move them.” 

Mattias looked at the corpse and shuddered. “I don’t really want to touch it. Him,” he said. “But it is creepy as fuck having them just lying around here. Alright then, let’s move them.” 

Kaz wasn’t thrilled about getting any closer to Crayton than she had to, alive or dead. But she didn’t like the way his eyes stared blankly through her, and wanted to get him out of the picture as quickly as possible. She joined Mattias at the bench. They each took an arm and hauled him towards the door, united by some unspoken agreement. 

“Outside?” asked Mattias. Kaz agreed. She would rather get a little wet than feel their ghostly presence inside for as long as they stayed. 

They came back in to find Stan holding a bowl of soup and staring at Festolo with wide eyes. “Why don’t you let us finish this?” said Mattias. Kaz nodded. She was surprised at his kindness until he took the bowl of soup, handed it to her, and then took a firm grip on Stan’s shoulder, whispering in his ear. Stan blinked and looked away from the corpse and towards the other man. Kaz realized that Mattias’s kindness was directed more towards Stan than her. The two must be friends. 

She sat on the edge of the newly-freed bench, as far as she could from where the corpse had been, as Mattias and Stan hauled Festolo over to the door. Stan was clearly trying not to look at the body, and Matthias was muttering something to him. She could see Owen out of the corner of her eye. He sat on the cushions by the table, his back against the wall, his hands stroking Devlin, who sprawled across his lap. Tears leaked from his vacant eyes. 

Kaz looked away and thrust a spoonful of soup into her mouth to distract herself from her guilt and confusion. She understood Owen’s horror at having unintentionally killed. She too was shaken by the way it had happened. But she couldn’t feel sorry that the source of so much fear and anxiety was now gone. 

She blinked and looked at the bowl of soup. As she swallowed, she realized that the hearty quinoa and potato soup was thick and delicious with fresh herbs. She was about to compliment the messengers’ cooking ability when Stan shouted, “Hang on! This one’s still alive!”

“What?” she and Owen shouted in unison. Kaz jumped to her feet and sloshed soup over the side of the bowl. She carefully set it down on the bench before hurrying over to see for herself. 

Stan and Mattias stood back from Biltens, looking wary. He lay as motionless as Crayton and Festolo had been before being dumped outside the door. 

“We only checked the other two,” said Stan apologetically. “We just assumed he was dead too.”

“Are you sure?” said Owen. He had clambered to his feet and made his way toward them after Devlin. His expression was a terrible mix of anguish and hope. 

Kaz dashed over  and checked. Sure enough, his pulse was steady, if weak. “He’s definitely alive,” she said. 

“Can you check the other two again please?” asked Owen. Mattias started to argue, but Kaz gave him a look, and he and Stan hurried to comply. They both disappeared out the door for a moment, then returned, shaking their heads. 

“I’m sorry Owen,” said Kaz. 

Owen drooped. Kaz reached out to help him, and when he didn’t push her away, she guided him onto a bench. She knelt in front of him, Devlin leaning into her so hard he nearly knocked her over. 

“Yeah,” he said. “I’m sorry too. I don’t know what it means that one survived, but I still killed two people.”

“Owen,” Kaz said, trying to sound gentle. “What exactly happened?”

Owen told her how the power had felt out of control, much bigger than the first time. How he had tried to pull back right when the power was unleashed. And how he had then been overwhelmed by Ch’usaj. 

“Wait, no one said anything about him being Ch’usaj.” It was Mattias. Both trackers were backing away from Owen. We don’t have time for this, thought Kaz with irritation, though the continued force of the storm suggested otherwise. 

“And what does it matter?” she snapped. “People aren’t their elements.” 

“But,” said Stan, his voice trembling. “They say those she’s chosen are cursed. And you heard him. He just killed those people - well two of them - without meaning to. He’s dangerous!” 

“Yes,” said Owen, “I am.” he had sat up straight, and in the half light his unfocused eyes seemed to be staring into the memory of what he had done. “I’ve become a killer. You should be afraid of me. I can’t be trusted.” 

“Owen, why don’t you let me do the talking,” she whispered to him, eyeing the rising panic on both messengers’ faces. As she said this, though, she felt herself crumble a little inside. The defeat in Owen’s entire manner tore at her heart. This was not the same young man who had earnestly insisted the day before that no matter what, he would not let Ch’usaj change him, would never, ever hurt her. His element had pushed him to kill, and Kaz saw now how deeply this had hurt him. She wanted to hug him, to turn back time and find another solution. She had been the one to suggest that he use his power, and a squirmy guilty feeling slithered into her belly. 

“Why are you traveling with him?” demanded Mattias. “We should throw him out into the storm.” 

Kaz rose, turning to face him. “We’re not throwing him anywhere,” she said, putting all her years of speech training and command into her voice. “Owen has already saved my life twice. Three times if you count just now. And he’s learning to handle a new and dangerous power with absolutely no guidance or training. Ask yourself: have you ever met a Void mage, ever even heard of one? No, because Owen is the first. He’s important, and I won’t abandon him for his first mistake - or his hundredth! You’re damn right he’s dangerous. We both are! But like I already pointed out, we’re not pointing our powers at you. 

“A moment ago you were willing to let us stay. What changed? You heard Owen’s element and decided he wasn’t worth the same forgiveness as me? No! It could easily have been me that lost control. It was me last time. Yes, we’re both dangerous and learning to live with it. But please, before judging either of us, think about what you just witnessed. Do you want the empire to disappear because an evil man decided he wanted more power? Think of the chaos that would cause! Or do you want to help us protect what’s best about the empire and restore leadership and order?” 

Silence followed her words. It felt deeper than most silences, and it took Kaz a moment to realize that the thunder had stopped and the rain slowed. Stan and Mattias stared at her, looking shame-faced and sullen. At some point during her speech Owen had reached out and found her hand. 

“Thank you,” he whispered, and squeezed it. She squeezed back. 

“So you’re staying we should let him stay because he’s the first Ch’usaj mage?” said Mattias. He didn’t look convinced. “I don’t know what that means, but I don’t want to be involved.” 

Stan, however, was gazing at Owen’s slumped posture with an odd expression on his face. “You know, they never said who the curse applies to,” he said thoughtfully. “Right now he looks more like he’s a victim than the one who curses others. Maybe we should take pity on him. I mean, this whole thing sounds a lot bigger than I really know what to do with. Maybe we should play it safe and respect all the elements, just in case.” 

Kaz wasn’t sure whether to roll her eyes or start yelling again. But Mattias was looking at Stan and nodding slowly. It hadn’t really been what she was going for, but as long as they were willing to let them stay, she was willing to let it pass. After all, they didn’t have much longer to spend with these men. 

“So you’ll let us stay, then?” she said, just to make sure. 

“Of course, Ñust’a,” said Stan, suddenly formal. “It is an honor to serve you and your companion. Would he like some soup as well?” 

Kaz blinked at the sudden change of subject and looked down at Owen. “Uh - yes please,” he said. “It smells excellent.” 

Stan scurried off to prepare a bowl, while Mattias handed her bowl back to her, before hurrying to join his companion. 

Beside her, Owen sighed. 

“What is it?” she asked. 

“It’s just...everything,” he said glumly. “Is the whole journey going to be like this?” 

I hope not, thought Kaz. What she said was, “I don’t think so. It will take Vidar a while to find out what happened and send someone else after us. I think we’ll at least get a break until we get into Alkantay. We should be long gone from there by the time anyone even starts after us.” 

Stan returned, handing the bowl to Owen with a bow. Kaz found herself smiling at the gesture, which was completely wasted on Owen. It was a mark of respect that she appreciated, however. 

When Owen took the bowl, he let go of her hand. She realized she was still standing in front of him and pulled over a stool to sit instead. 

“Maybe let’s just eat for now,” she said. “There’s a lot to discuss, but we don’t have to do it now.” 

Owen nodded and took a bite of his soup. Kaz realized how hungry she was and hurried to attend to her own before it got cold. The messengers had retreated by the fire, where they talked softly. 

She sighed. It felt like such a luxury, sitting here after a long day of hiking and everything else, and eating hot, nourishing food. The rain drumming more quietly now on the roof told her that they would need to leave soon. But for now, she was content just to sit and eat. 

Next Chapter: 26: Owen - Plan