Ormano grabbed at his arm as if wounded, then laughed again and wrapped his plump arms around Croak. “Wait,” Orry said as he pulled back, his nose wrinkled. “Did you shit yourself?”
Croak shoved away as his friend laughed. “I could’ve killed you, you know.”
Ormano guffawed and jumped back a step as Croak made to hit him again. “With what? You’re unarmed.”
“I am not without resources, as you well know,” he grumbled. Hesnatched the lapels of his jacket and yanked them down to right himself.
Orry’s smile did not waver. “Aye, true, but she’s not here, is she? Your ‘resources’?”
“Oh, you are hilarious.”
“And right, as always,” Ormano said. “So? What are you doing here? Not a place I’d ever thought to find you.”
“I’m looking for you, you idiot,” Croak said.
Ormano lifted an eyebrow. “How’d you know I’d be here? You know what? Doesn’t matter.” He punched Croak lightly in the arm. “I missed you. Where’s Terena?”
“Off to Metilai,” Croak said and crossed his arms. “Left me here on an important fact-finding mission.”
“Busy work to keep you out of trouble, you mean?”
“Leave off,” Croak grunted. He strode toward the ledge of the sanctuary and sat on the first step. “The better question, and the one I’ve come up here for, is, what areyoudoing here?”
“I was volunteered. By Christos,” Orry said with a shrug. “Came with General Peleon. I was looking for your sister, actually, and hoped I’d find her here. In Laurica, I mean.” He gave Croak a smirk and took a seat beside him.
“Your intent was correct, but your timing is abysmal, as usual. She’s already set off. Left me behind to deal with some ruffians.”
“Gather gossip, more like,” Ormano smiled. “So she’s gone, truly? Well. I can’t go back yet. I’m to wait for Prince Lerek and his convoy to arrive, and then we travel north together.”
“North?” Croak said, instantly alert. “Well, that’s a weird coincidence.”
“Why?”
“Terena’s coming back; end of the week. We’re to accompany a couple of mercs north to find work under the new king’s banner.”
“Coincidences abound, my friend. We are to the new king as well. Ours is a diplomatic mission.”
Croak crossed his arms at his chest and lifted his chin. “So then, why are you all here ahead of Lerek?”
Ormano pulled a face. “Imagine it’s to thin some of the herd, as it were. Too many folk in Laurica now. Can’t have the prince and his retinue ride through with so many risks present. Too much of a tactical headache. We brought the horses and provisions, too, as they’ll be taking the ferry from Gall. Emperor wants as few people to know about the convoy as possible.”
“They would’ve found out, regardless.”
“Aye. Maybe. But hopefully not until after we’ve gone.”
“And why areyougoing? You hate travel and you hate the cold.”
“All truths. I’m going for the same reason I’m looking for your sister. And the same reason I suspect she herself wishes to head north.”
“She’s curious to see what the king wants with trackers, is all.”
“He’s interested in trackers, huh? That may be what the king wants, but you know your sister better than that,” Orry chided softly.
Croak was silent.
“It’s there, Croak,” Orry said as he leaned closer. “It has to be. And with the new king’s appearance, it all but confirms?—”
“It’s bullshit.”
