“Hey, Griff, here’s the coin from today. Oh, and there’s this new guest, Cazimir. He’ll be staying until summer’s end. Should be good forbusiness. Says he’s a scholar, been all over. Anyway, get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Griffin grunted and snored, rolling onto his side with his back to me. I gave his shoulder a soft pat and quietly slipped out. Just before I shut the door, I heard him mumble, “Be shure ta take th’ leftover bread wit’ya, Odes’uh…” He belched, scratched his bottom, and sank back into his thunderous snoring.
That night, I walked home with a bundle of warm bread tucked under my arm, a smile on my face, and this strange fluttering in my chest.
15
“Odessa,”Caz said, leaning his shoulder against the worn wood of the shabby stable. “Just the person I needed to see.”
That fluttering feeling in my chest started up again.
I had a sack of fodder slung over my shoulder, tipping it into the wooden bin beneath me. The water trough had already been refilled, and Bellona and Juniper were happily slurping at it. There were always one or two horses rotating through the stables, depending on who was passing through. Since horses were a valuable asset, most folk still traveled by foot.
With one last shake, I emptied the rest of the fodder, brushed off my hands, and turned toward Caz.
“Hey,” I said, tucking the empty burlap bag under my arm. “You’re up early. What can I do for you?”
“I was thinking of getting a head start on my sketches,” he said, walking to Bellona and giving her a gentle pat. “I’ll let Bell finish her breakfast first, then head out once she’s done.” There was that familiar gleam in his eye, the one that always showed up when he talked abouthis studies. He held up a half-penny between his fingers. “Think you could pack me a breakfast that’s good for the road?”
“Sure. It’s not much, but I can pack you some bread and cheese to take with you.” I swept up the bits of fodder that had spilled outside the bin. “And I can refill your water flask if you’ve got one.”
“Great. That’ll be just what I need.”
“So, I know you’re a mapmaker and all, but why Brier Len? Nothing happens around here.”
“Well, that’s fair. Not much is known about the geography of the outskirts, especially around the woods. The Academy’s maps only cover the main travel routes, so the head cartographer sent me to document the area. His goal is to eventually create a complete world map, with coordinates and everything. I guess I’m the one he wants to start that work here.”
“Lucky you,” I said with a dry chuckle. “So, you’re heading to the woods next? In those fancy clothes?”
“What’s wrong with my clothes?” he asked, glancing down at himself. “This is what all student scholars wear. We’re issued two sets when we’re initiated, so folk can recognize the Academy’s colors and emblem… It’s all I’ve got, clothing-wise. I’ve never had trouble with it before. Actually, it usually works in my favor…”
“You see, the folks in Brier Len have probably never seen a scholar or heard of the Academy,” I explained. “I sure hadn’t before I met you. If you wander around the woods dressed like that,” I pointed to his clothes, “they might mistake you for some noble, a young lord or something, and give you trouble. They’ll probably try to take whatever coin you’ve got. Maybe your shiny tools and books, too.”
He stared at me, clearly bewildered. “You’re serious? I’ve never had anything like that happen in any city I’ve been to. And I’ve seen a lot of cities.”
“It’s Brier Len,” I told him. “We’re skirtsfolk, not cityfolk. You’vegot a lot to learn if you plan on sticking around for the next three months. And the condition of the woods is a whole other issue.”
“Really?” he said, frowning. “Now that I think about it… the trees did look a bit ailing.”
“They’re terrible. It started a few years back, five, maybe six. Here and there, trees began rotting, going bad from the roots up. I’m not sure if it’s some kind of disease spreading, but the woods are dying. At least, it feels that way.”
“Has anyone been sent to evaluate the state of the forest? If this is spreading, it could threaten nearby towns and cities.”
“That may be, but no one’s offered to help. Wouldn’t matter if we sought out the king himself. The Crown wouldn’t care.”
“That’s… that’s unacceptable. I’ll reach out to the Academy and my fellow scholars. There may be something we can do. I’m certain the Master of Herbology would want to investigate. If it is a disease, it could cause real harm.”
“Look, Brier Len hasn’t had aid from the Crown in years. My point is, keep your wits about you if you wander into the woods alone. Trouble may come from skirtsfolk, but the forest itself is trouble too.”
“I suppose you have a point…” He scratched his head. “How about a deal?”
“A deal?”
“You guide me around Brier Len safely, and in exchange, I’ll teach you how to read. It’d make my job easier with a local guide. Mapping the area from scratch would be a lot smoother with your help.”
I nearly snorted. “Like I said, there aren’t many books here. It wouldn’t do me much good. Plus, I’m all Griffin has at the inn. There’s no one else to open and close, it’s just me.”
“Come on, Odessa.” He clasped his hands together, looking at me earnestly. “I’d pay you more than the inn for your time as well.”
