But now I know the truth of it, for if I had been sent to the barracks, as most other boys were, I may not have been exiled.
While men are always held accountable when a woman’s womb does not quicken, they very rarely suffer my fate. Typically, it is used as an excuse while the true reason for exile remains hidden.
I know much and more about the inner workings of Tempest that the other men do not, because of my proximity to truepower. But I do not share my knowledge, as it would not honor Tempest.
Sometimes I wonder if there was another reason I was sent away, but that is something I care not to think about.
We finish eating and begin our walk back to the village, going at a hastened pace.
Eddard comes alongside me, bidding me to slow.
“What do you want?”
He looks around to make sure no one else is listening. “Tomorrow, at first light, we will meet with Grixis to send Brock and Haelden to scout the Veriskan-infested areas.”
“Will there be no one searching close to the village?”
“Since the Penticari joined us, Grixis has sent men as far as three days out to look for signs of them, and so far, there has been none save the body of Annelo, which was not recently placed. Fenrick and Ulof scout now, and all appears quiet.”
I nod, and when we head back into the village, I go to see Grixis.
He looks up at me with a worry-lined face.
“I hear you took down a bruntler.”
“It was hearty, and should last a few days.”
“Still, we need to hunt more with all the extra mouths.”
Cutting through the idle chatter, I say, “I hear you are sending scouts out tomorrow morning to search where I came from.”
“Yes. I was hoping you could meet with them beforehand in The Tomb and tell them where you encountered the Veriskans.”
“Perhaps I should instead go and lead them there myself.”
He shakes his head. “I need you here.”
“I do not wish to be here if it means sharing my hut with a lesser, and this is the perfect excuse for me to leave.”
Grixis sighs. “Asha is doing important work for our tribes.”
“Then let her do it elsewhere.”
“Have you so quickly forgotten what she has done for us? If not for her, The Tomb would be lost, along with any hope of restoring our honor.”
“You said goodbye to your honor the moment you?—”
“Guard your tongue,” Grixis growls, his biceps flexing.
I know I have gone too far.
“In the future, I will keep such thoughts to myself.”
“The tribe is tense.”
“Have they grown disenchanted with the Penticari?” I say smugly.
“No, not at all, though a few are still stubborn toward them.”
