Liora stood at the edge of the estate's overgrown garden, her gaze fixed on the small parchment Mirun had pressed into her hands before he left.
A name. A crest. A place.
Lucien read it over her shoulder. "The ruins of Iscath?"
"It was once Serren territory," she murmured. "My mother must have gone there. Or maybe someone who knew her still remains."
He didn't answer right away. Then, softly: "If we go… it will have to be in secret. Rowan and Samuel can arrange the route. No guards. No attention."
She looked up at him, the evening sun casting golden shadows across his face. "I don't want to bring more danger to your name."
"You already have," he said dryly, but his eyes softened. "And I'd rather follow you into fire than let someone else use your name while you remain blind."
Before she could answer, Samuel approached from the path, his face tight with urgency.
"There's something you both need to see."
In Lucien's Private Study
