Chapter Three: Sonya Nyx

“Don't tell me you are home sick already.” Sonya teased Duke Jakov Volkov who was looking out the train window at the Graystone mountains. It felt odd to Sonya to see the sun setting behind them instead of them being bathed in in the last afternoon lights. A clear sign that they where no longer in the empire.

“Just getting one last look.” Jakov shrugged as she looked over at Sonya. Sonya was unpacking their bags as she moved about the private train car. The duke seemed so calm and relaxed, which was nothing unusual for him since he rarely showed his feelings outright. While most imperials nobles where brass, arrogant, and outspoken Jakov was soft spoken and reserved. Probably spending more time inside his head then was good for him but no one could ever hope to change that.

Sonya felt uneasy about this trip since her family had fled the commonwealth years before she was born. Her mother had sworn their allegiance to the Volkov family and the empire. Both Sonya's mother and older sister had died fighting for the empire against the commonwealth. Sonya was to young to fight but had been taken in by House Volkov as a servant. The duke himself however treated Sonya as more a member of the family then a mere servant.

Sonya frowned at one of the dark brooding imperial praetorian guards who sat on one side of the room guarding the door. Gregor was an old man who Sonya knew well enough to not expect much in the way of protection. He was their more as a spy for the imperial crown then actual guardian. Another sat at the other side behind Sonya who she felt quit different about. Mikhail was a rather handsome young man. Sonya had known him at the citadel where they had both been trained in the use of their powers and knew he was quit formidable. Like most girls there she had a bit of a crush on him though she doubted he would even remember her since he was a few years her senior. With his skills how he ended up a glorified babysitter was a puzzle to Sonya.

“You know my lord we would have had an even better view from the air.” Sonya teased knowing Jakov never liked heights let alone traveling by airship. Taking the train was slower but it wasn't like they where in any hurry to get to Lumieres. Being an imperial duke accompanied by a witch meant Sonya wasn't expecting much of a warm welcome for the two of them.

Though Sonya was a servant, Jakov always allowed Sonya to speak her mind. Deception was like a game played in the empire among the noble houses. Every Noble had secrets, schemes, and plots in a grasp for more power so having someone who was honest was probably a welcome change.

“Never going to happen and no more with the my lord.”

“Sorry. Hard to break old habits my...” Sonya stopped herself. “Jakov.”

“So how long before we reach the city?” Jakov asked as he stood up walking over to pour himself a drink from the small dinning table. It was a little surprising Gregor hadn't finished it off yet.

“Three days as long as there are no delays your lordship.” Mikhail said with a shrug finally speaking up as he glanced up from his paper. As far as jailers go Mikhail was at least respectful. He had already taken the trip himself to check out every stop along the way and had been waiting for them at the border when they had switched trains.

“You know Mikhail if you are bored you could always go patrol the train, ask that girl you saw at the station if she wants to join us for dinner.” Jakov teased as she glanced at him.

“What girl?”

“The witch with the braided hair. The one you where checking out.” Sonya smiled joining in the fun. The woman was a little hard to miss with her hair in braids and dressed in leather.

“I was not checking her out.” He smirked. He could have been just seen her as a possible threat but Sonya still liked to tease him all the same.

“Liar.” Sonya grinned and the duke gave a smile and raised his glass to Sonya before walking back over to his seat.

“You seen that book on metallurgy?” Jakov asked as he looked through the open bag.

“I thought that was the one you had finished reading.” Sonya gave a glance up.

“No that was the one is on mineralogy.” Truthfully it was all Elysian to Sonya.

“I think I packed it away with the rest of your books. It's probably in your trunk.” Sonya had personally made sure that their bags had been stowed away and nothing was missing or added in. “I will go see if I can find it.” She shook her head.

“You don't have to do that.”

“No, I know you. You will grow restless for the next few hours and I will end up going to get it anyways.” Sonya teased.

“Thank you Sonya.”

“Here, if you have any trouble with the porters.” Mikhail smiled as he pulled out a coin and flicked it. Sonya held out her hand and the coin flew toward her as Sonya drew it to her and closed her palm, a smile crossing her lips as she did. She held out her other hand and turned the door handle and pushed the door open without touching it.

As a sorceress she could move things with her hands without the need to touch them. Metal was by far the easiest to move because it was denser then other objects though each metal had its own feel so some metals where easier then others. There where dozens of variables that affected her powers that she had had to learn while training at the citadel under the tutelage of the Mavens. The weight of the object, the distance from her and the object, the type of metal, rather or not it was pure or an alloy. Few ever made it past Adept, Sonya included. But those who could where capable of thing far greater then Sonya could even dream of.

The wind felt good as she stepped out to the small platform and locked the door back behind her with her power. She stepped over to the next train car and went inside though stopped as she heard voices letting the door close slowly behind her. She moved forward as she heard the sound of people talking and a crate creaking. She eased forward and peeked around a stack of crates as Sonya caught a glimpse of two men and women going through the luggage. One had a crowbar and was trying to open up some crates to see what was inside while the other two where going through luggage. They hadn't gotten to the dukes luggage yet but it was only a matter of time. Sonya debated how to best handle this until one turned and saw her.

“Hold it.” He said clumsily drawing a gun. It looked cheap and worn but even an old gun could still kill just as good as one straight out of the forge. If anything it was more of a danger in a novices hands. The other two looked at her as well. The girl pulling a knife while the other guy held the crowbar against his palm as he smiled.