“It’s time.”

The study was always kept dimly lit, there was a reason he had not allowed windows to be cut in the walls, and it was because he never wanted the knowledge of whatever was in here to get out, and although smaller windows that could not fit a person would do just the thing, still, he had his own way as to how he wanted his things to be run. But more so, because the darkness was comfortable, and it hid him. And it welcomed him.

The study was like his getaway place, his sanctuary and his safe haven, and save for Xanth, no one else was allowed in here. No one else.

Xanth put down the book in his hands and turned to Ryder sitting uncomfortably on the only table in the small room. “Time for what?”

Ryder took a deep breath in and then focused his attention on Xanth. “Time to go in search, for another Khione.”

Xanth gave him a puzzled look, although he was sure that Ryder might not be able to read his facial expression as the only light in the room came from a small lantern placed on the table which Ryder’s huge frame obscured. “Another Khione?”

The depth in his voice spoke of some sort of doubt and mockery, like “you can not be serious”, but Ryder could read his expression very clearly, his ability to see excellently in the dark was a plus to him, like a blessing or like a superpower. And he was the only Axeris who could.

Each generation of Axeris always had a person, usually the male, who possessed something uniquely different from the other Axeris. He knew his father had a unique ability but he did not hang around long enough for Ryder to know, his uncle, Mavrek had the subtle ability to read people, not their thoughts, but their body language and facial expression quite accurately. And Xanth, well, since he was only half Axeris, he had not shown any signs of possessing something unique.

Ryder looked to the book in his hands; Khione, the title read. “Rather than put all my eggs in one basket waiting on Lyra.”

“You have a Khione, and besides, where are you going to find one?” He came closer to Ryder, pacing in front of him. “For centuries, since the year of Osyron begun, Khiones had gone into hiding for fear of their lives. They had been hunted both by Axeris descendants and by the worshipers of Osyron who want to exterminate them to bring their god back. You already have a Khione.”

He stood up. “What I have is a fifty-six-year-old who still thinks she is sixteen, and I cannot get her to fall in love with me.”

“Well, would anyone fall in love with you?” Xanth mocked but in a serious tone, making Ryder give him a throaty growl. “I am serious, with the way you behave? You practically ignore her, Ryder. All the time.”

He looked away from Xanth and sat back down on the table. Maybe his unique ability was pissing people off with blunt truths. “You always remind me that I have just two years till the year of Osyron, I thought you would support me in this.”

“I would support you, but how do you expect to draw Lyra closer to you when you put yourself so far away from her?”

Ryder remained quiet. He knew he had not been doing anything really to make her fall in love with him, but he did bother about her. Or rather, she bothered his thoughts, a lot. He sighed. “I will go in search of another Khione.”

“Who are you taking with?”

“You, and a couple of other soldiers. Just like before.”

Xanth walked back to the shelves, sorting through the books with the edge of his fingers. “Just like before, we didn’t have Lyra, now that we have her…?”

“She will stay back in the castle, we should be back soon. Ho long would it take?”

“How long would it take?” He paused and faced Ryder but didn’t walk back. “How long did it take you to find Lyra? Centuries. And how long did it take you to get her here after you had found her? Thirty-eight years. And you say finding another Khione would not take long.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

He sighed and pulled out a book from the shelf, but then unable to read the title using the extremely dim light, he placed it back. “Your reason for wanting to find another Khione is justified, but I would not suggest that you keep away from the one you have. If you are going in search of another Khione then Lyra should also come with.”

Ryder sighed and placed down the book in his hand, reached out behind him, and pulled up the lantern, bringing it up to his face. He watched the yellow orange-y flame dance, there were mysteries he had to face and deal with and solve, and one of these mysteries had attached itself to Lyra, or she had attached herself to it. One way or the other, they were both attached, and it was the most prickling, the most disturbing, and it was one he knew he could not address alone.

Indie. The woman in his dreams.

He closed his eyes and breathed in, then out. “Fine, she comes with.”

“Good, that way you both can try to get even more closer, then there might be no need to find another Khione.”

The door to the study flew open and both the men turned towards the door. Ryder narrowed his eyes when Iris walked in, holding another lantern in her hand, she shut the door behind her and faced Ryder. “I will also come with.”

He cranked his head towards her. “You were listening in on our conversation?”

Her eyes remained on Ryder, she was furious at him after the display he had done in the yard and the way he had dealt with those soldiers because of that Khione girl, and yes, she did feel a ton of jealousy but then Ryder was her man and what woman would stand seeing her man get closer to another woman to make her fall in love with him. She understood why he needed to, but still, she could not stand it. If she allowed them to go on this quest with the girl without her, she would not be able to control their closeness. She had to go with.

“The kingdom of Dergesier is known to welcome witches and people of magic, if there will be a free-living Khione then we should do well to start our search there.”

“And if there isn’t?” Xanth asked, what she had said made a lot of sense, but you can’t be too careful.

She faced him with a half-smile. “Then we will get news of their whereabouts from Dergesier. All the same, it is a good starting place.”

Ryder sighed and looked away from her to his feet, he rocked his body slowly back and forth, focusing on his breathing. Another Khione, another girl, another attempt. He took in a deep breath and let it out noisily through his mouth, he could handle it. He would handle it.

“Rocheveron lies between us and Dergesier.” Iris continued. “It is almost a three-day ride to the Eldham border, crossing into Rocheveron and about a day’s ride or more through Rocheveron into the Oerth forest.”

“Rocheveron has been disturbing the Eldham border for a while. It would do some good to discipline them since we would be needing to cross through their territory anyway.” Ryder pointed out.

“The Oerth forest?” Xanth repeated, stroking his chin. “There are tales of the Oerth forest, of a goddess, the most beautiful and the most enchanting that any man would ever see, worshiped by the Nuxvar people in Dergesier.”

“A goddess,” Ryder spoke, lifting his head up so his eyes met with Xanth’s. “A forest goddess?”

Xanth nodded. “It is said that she is alive in all of nature and can be anywhere where nature is, an immortal and very vengeful.”

“Great.” Ryder sighed. “We have to go through enemy territory and also have to face a vengeful goddess of nature to find a Khione or get news about a Khione.”

“Well, if you grant her something she cannot refuse or something she wants, then she offers you something in exchange. She is like the only god or goddess who has made herself quite visible to, well..man, so she is not all that unreasonable.”

Ryder stood up and took the lantern from Iris, then walked to the door and opened it wide, keeping it open with his foot. “We move in a few days, best to get ready.” He nodded his head, signifying that they leave the study, his eyes only on Iris.

Iris ground her teeth and forced a smile before walking past Ryder and out of the study.

“Iris,” He called out to her when she was out. She turned to face him, her expression was straight and his voice was cold. “I let it slide, do not repeat what you had done to Lyra, and do not think I will let you go free either if you do try that again. You should be wise enough to know her importance and tolerate, she is Khione after all and you are not.”