I look back at my own plate, set the drumstick aside, and half-heartedly pull the crust from a thick slice of brown bread. “What about the pansley?”
He takes a drink of cider before answering, “We’ll stay on the western side of the kingdom so we may return to Primewood through Coppel. We’ll try again then.”
I shake my head. “It’s already so late. If we leave now, we’ll ruin our chance of finding any until next summer.”
We can’t wait that long. With as frail as he is, I’m not sure Father will survive the curse more than a few more months. The magic is killing him.
Galinor sets his hand on mine. “We’ll find it.”
“You’re in good spirits,” I say, lowering my gaze. Setting the bread aside, I pick up another drumstick. I pull the skin from the chicken and pluck at the meat.
He brushes his finger down my cheek. “You’re not giving up, are you?”
Despite my sour mood, my cheek tingles from his touch.
“No, I’d just hoped it would be…” I shrug.
He smiles. “Easier?”
I sigh and nod.
“These lists—” He points to my pouch where I’ve tucked the parchment. “Are never easy. But I’ve learned they’re not meant to be. If you want something badly enough, you have to prove it.”
“I’m not sure I have enough left,” I admit.
I’m afraid I now look just as melancholy as Galinor did when we first met.
He sets his arm across my shoulders, pulling me against his side. “We can do this.”
I tilt my face and look up at him. “I’m not sure I can.”
He smiles down at me. “I’ll carry us both if I have to.”
We leave the inn early,before the frost melts from the ground. Despite the cold, I’m in better spirits today. I still had nightmares, but they came early and left me to sleep in peace for the rest of the night.
The weather remains sunny, even if the temperatures continue to drop. We’ll stay one more night in Coppel, and then we’ll be in Errinton the next evening.
“Will your family care that you’ve left them for so long?” I ask as we ride side by side down the empty trade road.
“I asked Irving to tell them not to worry.”
Apparently, Galinor expected to be detained. Or perhaps he hoped to be?
Though not quiet, we’re watchful. We haven’t seen a soul today. Very few people venture into Errinton, and any who leave don’t want you to see them until they ambush you.
“There’s a man ahead,” Galinor warns, his voice low. “I’m sure it’s fine, but be on guard.”
I tense. I remember what he’s taught me, but to actually use it on someone? I don’t know if I can. Even though Galinor is with me, I still feel vulnerable.
The man is alone. He rides to us and raises a friendlyhand in greeting. Galinor returns the gesture in same, his unease forgotten.
“What brings you this way, friends?” the man asks.
He’s not dressed as a peasant, but he doesn’t look like a nobleman either. He’s most likely a physician or successful craftsman.
“We are on our way to Errinton,” Galinor answers.
The man nods sagely. “I am from there, myself. Hard times in our kingdom.”
