The Tracker

When Annus returned to God's Island, three days had already passed. Ark Maxim landed on the docking platform before the shrine, its golden hull scraping past the edge of the island clouds with a deep, muffled thud.

The Winged Heavenly Soldiers folded their wings and filed down from the deck, their white feathers dyed a pale orange by the setting sun. Diumil followed behind Annus, the blue flames behind his head restored to their usual color.

Annus entered the shrine, the hem of his plain white robe stained with ashes from Hachinosu, dragging a faint trail across the clouds. Before he could change clothes, he heard footsteps behind him.

Sariye.

She still wore that elegant gauze dress, her broad black wings folded behind her, their tips nearly hanging to her ankles. There was little expression on her dark yet even-complexioned face, but Annus had known her long enough to read something from the barely perceptible curve at the corner of her eye.

"Lord Annus." Sariye stopped several steps away and lowered her head slightly. "A group of people has entered the Heavenly Kingdom."

Annus turned around and looked at her. He did not ask who they were, merely waited for her to continue.

"Pirates. At least, that is what they claim to be." Sariye raised her eyes. "Their ship flew a pirate flag, and they played the part perfectly—rude, flamboyant, asking about gold everywhere they went. They paid the entry deposit, traded dirt for some gold at the exchange, then instead of leaving, they wandered around Brian and Rubia for several days, asking questions everywhere."

She paused, and the tip of her wing trembled slightly.

"But they are not pirates."

Annus still said nothing. Only his brow shifted slightly.

"They are Cipher Pol." When Sariye spoke those words, her tone