He needed to get out of Thenaserine. But where to?
Helinfirth. North. That was the most sensible option. If he were to go to Nanvera, he would risk running into April sooner. If he crossed to another territory, it would mean different royals and different rules. She wouldn't be able to kill him that quickly over there.
Rabante, it was, then.
June switched directions, taking him and Xanthy towards the Glass Mountain. He hadn't been to Rabante before but the border wouldn't be that hard to miss. As long as it's not as crowded as the outpost between Dwanzeig and Lanteglos, he should be good. He just needed a proper disguise and a perfect backstory.
A plan was beginning to form in his head as he let his feet and his memory guide him towards the Lanteglos-Helinfirth border. By reason, there would be laxer security there since Helinfirth was controlled by the Synketros and it seems their latest expeditions delivered Thenaserine into their grip as well.
He eyed the houses and saw signs of a fight. It's either the demoted nobles fought for themselves or the Synketros and Cardovia entered a public battle and roped the poor families in it.
It seems to be the latter.
Long metal poles lay discarded on the manicured road, the cobblestones themselves were cracked, scorched, or melted. Broken swords lay waste in varied intervals—something the nobles weren't known for. They preferred daggers, knives, and the occasional scythe—all to display their wealth, not to fight or defend themselves.
The swords June passed by showed no signs of meticulous craftsmanship. They looked like they came out of the forge the other day and were used immediately in the battle. There's no artistry behind it other than making it sharp enough to ram someone through. His stomach turned. So, the Unseelie Court wasn't involved in this. But after this battle, those greedy nobles probably were.
It made sense, though, why Synketros and Cardovia were after the Junction City. Aside from its spacious roads, tall, luxurious structures, and an open trade route, Lanteglos was the home of the disgraced but powerful families with no necessary allegiance below their belts.
The Unseelie Court was full of families that once kissed up to the High Queen only to have been betrayed by the Imperial Monarch and thrown into Thenaserine. Most of them fled quietly as per the order of the High Queen. However, some of them refused to go without a fight. Families sentenced to the Unseelie Court were stripped off their wealth, titles, and privilege. All of their assets were transferred to the High Queen's name and could only be redeemed upon re-joining the Seelie Court. Some managed to crawl their way back but most would never do until the next Monarch sat.
Then, enter Synketros and Cardovia into the picture. As of the moment, the Seelie Court was the force running the island. The sudden absence of the High Queen left the treasury lax and in disarray. It seemed like the demoted nobles managed to get their wealth back. These organizations that seemed to have sprung overnight were after that money.
June knew as much, eyeing the strange weaponry scattered about. Umazure wasn't known for manufacturing explosives but right now, judging from the chunks chipped off from some of the structures he passed, it seemed that the Sovereign had some tricks stuffed in her sleeves.
To develop weaponry, one would need funds—tons of it. Even if the island didn't rely on versallis to eat, drink, or find clothing, money was important to get people to move and deal with one's wants. With people as wanting as the Sovereign and the Heiress, it's easy to connect the dots from there.
June swallowed the bitter taste growing at the back of his throat. It looked like the Sovereign was developing advanced weaponry and that the whole island should get ready for its lasting effects.