The acolyte smiled. He came a step closer and bent low so that he could speak quietly between the three of them. “The priestess is a seer, lady. She is the eyes of the gods and has foreseen your arrival.” He gestured to the room behind him. “She doesn’t invite you out now, of course. But I came to find you. I’ll be back in the morning, at dawn. It will be a long day for you, so please eat something or bring it with you.”
He bowed slightly at her and turned, striding for the door. He was gone before Terena could make sense of what had just happened.
“Huh,” Rydon said as he picked up a hunk of cheese and smashed it into his bread. “One less thing.”
Cloaks on and hoods up,the three of them waited outside the inn the following morning, the chill dawn air creeping around their bodies and into any seam of clothing. Terena reached out to Sonah in reassurance as the girl shivered, the edges of her cloak pulled tight around her.
Rydon had done a quick walk around the inn and the surrounding buildings, watching for anything out of the ordinary. Terena lifted an eyebrow when he’d approached and the quick shake of his head had her relaxing her stiffened muscles.
A few minutes later, a lone horseman turned out from the street on their left, the dappled grey mare walking slowly toward them carrying the young acolyte from the day before. Terena moved closer to Sonah, one hand lifting toward the dagger at her hip.
“Good morrow!” The acolyte called out as he came to a stop before them and tugged his hood down. He looked at Terena first, then glanced at Rydon and Sonah.
“Rydon will fetch the horses if you tell us which way?—”
“Lady,” the acolyte said, clearly flustered as a wash of color stained his cheeks. “I am to take only you. Your companions?—”
“They come with,” Terena said, her tone brooking no argument.
“Terena—” Rydon started.
“Rydon, we all go.”
“Lady, I cannot,” the acolyte said, now so agitated, the mare danced uneasily. “The invitation is only for you. She’s been waiting.”
“Terena, you must go,” Rydon said. “I’ll stay with Sonah. Hopefully Gabriol meets us soon but we’ll be here either way. Waiting for you.”
Terena hesitated, glancing at Sonah, who gave her a quick nod.
“Fine,” she said as she heaved a sigh. “I’ll get Nyx and meet?—”
“We must… that is, I...,” the acolyte cleared his throat. “You are to ride with me, lady. It is the way.”
“It iswhatway?”
The acolyte looked to Rydon for help. Finding none there, he looked back at Terena with a helplessness that almost made her pity him. “The way it’s done, lady. It is the way everyone who sees the oracle gets to the sanctuary.”
Terena froze, her gaze flying to Rydon, whose eyes were open as wide as his mouth as he caught it too.
“The oracle?” Terena asked softly.
The acolyte, David, looked at her with confusion. “Aye, lady, the oracle.”
Fuck. Of course.
“We’re in Messene,” Rydon laughed as he shook his head.
“So?” Sonah asked, looking between the three of them.
Terena looked up at the acolyte. “This is the same oracle that advises King Altos?”
“Oh, not only King Altos,” David said excitedly, a smile breaking across his freckled face. “Many kings seek her out. Emperor Solon himself came to her—” He halted, his face coloring once more. “That was inappropriate. My apologies. But, aye, she is the oracle that has counseled many great men, if that is your question.”
Terena turned to face Rydon, considering. He did the same, their gazes locked for a few seconds before Terena turned back to the acolyte. “Thank you, David.”
Before he could respond, she grabbed hold of the saddle and mounted behind him. She set her hands at his waist and David shifted, his cheeks flushed once more.
“Take care of her, Rydon,” Terena said with a wave as they turned away.
