He still had no idea where he was. Where was his friend, Deak? He’ll be sick with worry when he finds me missing… Luke wasn’t actually his little brother, but it didn’t stop Deak from thinking of him as one. And Thurlow – he thought the ship captain had fled to Laiyr, but there he was in Balor again the morning after battle along with an entire squad of Laiyran cavalry. He’d brought him the message to retrieve Koa from the Golden Boy, and despite his injury, Luke had gone at once. Had he only imagined his father after that? Was Koa really…?

No! he insisted, stubbornly. It was just another terrible nightmare. It has to be.

He forced himself to his feet then, though his head pounded and belly churned with nausea. It has to be, he told himself again, more firmly. Besides, if those he cared about really had been hurt, he was no use to them in hysterics.

He had to be strong.

For them.

* * *

An experimental speedpaint inspired by the Bright Shield rune from Suikoden.
Artwork/The Tripartitus © Jen Elliott