“They were long gone by the time the emperor sent the warrant for Ovenno.”
Terena put a hand to her mouth. Rydon continued eating, unfazed by this world-altering news.
“Whoever killed the prince orchestrated their escape,” he said after a long pause.
Terena felt ill. She had thought Duke Ovenno was the one being set up, that it was the diversion for whoever was behind Lerek’s murder. But the diversion was the murder itself.
All so the firstborns could escape the palace before the provinces broke from the empire.
“At least we can get our business done, then head north,” Rydon said around a mouthful.
“Rydon,” Terena said, shaking her head, “you don’t have to stay with us.”
He looked up at her and opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a hand to stop him. “Listen, I appreciate everything you’ve done for us, but it’s only going to get worse. You’ve no obligation to us. Once Gabriol arrives with Croak and Orry, you should leave.”
“I’m not leaving,” he said with a quick shake of his head.
Terena narrowed her eyes. “Right. The money. You said the new king offered you?—”
Rydon laughed and shook his head, tearing a chunk of bread with his teeth. Terena looked pointedly at him while she waited for him to finish chewing.
“It’s not the money.”
Terena blinked. “Then what?”
He stared at her, taking a moment before responding. He wiped a hand over his mouth to clear the crumbs from his red beard. “You know there are things in this world we cannot explain, aye?”
She nodded.
He gestured with the hand still holding the bread. “Let’s just say… I was called.”
“You were called,” she said. He tilted his head in assent. “By whom? The northern king?”
“Aye.”
“But who is he to you? Why is this more to you than money?”
Rydon dropped his gaze to his plate before looking back up at her. “I am sorry, Terena. I cannot say more. But,” he said, lifting a finger as she opened her mouth to protest, “I promise you, you will have your answers. You will. It’s not time yet.”
“What does that even mean?”
He shrugged and took a sip of his ale. “Do you?—”
The door to the inn opened and a young man came in, his eyes darting around the common room before he moved to the innkeeper. He looked as if he’d been traveling, his blue robes and light grey breeches coated in dust. His cheeks flushed and his ash brown hair disheveled, the man leaned over to speak quietly to the innkeeper.
Rydon looked over his shoulder at him, then back at Terena as she continued to watch while they exchanged some words before the innkeeper pointed in their direction.
Terena stiffened as the young man came toward them. She kicked Rydon under the table and he sat back, lifting his head when the stranger stopped at his side.
“Terena Luca?”
Terena’s eyebrows shot up. “Who asks?”
“My name is David. I am an acolyte at the sanctuary here in Messene. The priestess has sent me to invite you to see her.”
Rydon choked as he took a swig of ale. Terena gaped at the acolyte. She was silent so long the young man shifted uncertainly, his grey eyes moving between her and Rydon.
“How does she know I’m here?”
