She lifted a shoulder. “Even before we got there. One minute we’re having a snack—me and the acolyte. The next he’s blowing shit in my face and I wake up…” Terena shook her head. “It was all very weird.”
“Did you see the oracle?”
“Aye. Maybe. That’s what’s weird. All of it feels like a dream. There are parts I remember vividly. And parts that are…,” she motioned with her hands in circles around her head.
“Well, did she say anything useful?”
Terena shook her head again as she rubbed at her eyes. Rydon had proven himself to be an ally, and she was even beginning to think of him as a friend. But as she’d told him, there were things about what Pytho had told her she still needed to process and didn’t feel now was the time to share all with Rydon.
At last, she looked up at him. “Sparta. She said we need to go to Sparta. That King Altos has something I need. Something that is mine. Didn’t say what, though. Or if she did, I honestly don’t remember.”
“Do you speak Greek? Because I don’t,” Rydon said as he took another sip of his coffee.
“I understand a bit. Hopefully, they speak the common tongue. They speak it here and they’re Greek.”
“Aye, you’re right,” Rydon said with a nod. “So now we travel even further south. Looking for something that’s yours but, of course, what that is, you do not know. Any thoughts on how long all this will take? Because we’re no closer to heading north than the day we rescued you.”
Terena sat back as the innkeeper emerged with a plate of scrambled eggs mixed with tomatoes and thick slices of buttered bread in one hand, a mug of steaming coffee in the other. He placed them both in front of her, then fished out a knife and fork wrapped in a linen napkin, which she took as she thanked him.
“Are you expected in the north soon? Did your king give you a time limit to fetch me? Because, according to the oracle, we can’t go north without whatever Altos has of mine.”
Rydon’s lips peeled back. “No, there’s no time limit. But I recall getting yelled at for suggesting taking a longer route to get to the north.”
Terena snorted. “The Fates have other plans, I guess.”
Rydon watched her beneath his lashes. “If it’s even them driving you.”
Terena frowned, flashing him a look before returning to her eggs. “What doesthatmean?”
“Did she say anything else?”
Terena noted how he’d ignored her question, but left it alone. “Aye, but I’ll wait until the others are with us.”
“Mmm,” Rydon said, his eyes widening as if a thought struck him. “I forgot to tell you?—”
“May the blessings of the gods shine upon—Ren! When the fuckdid you get back?”
Croak grinnedat the look of shock on his sister’s face a second before she bolted up from her chair and threw her arms around him. He laughed and caught her, stumbling a step.
“Happy to see you, too, sis,” he murmured into her neck. He grabbed hold of her ponytail and tugged.
Terena pulled back, her expression soft, her hazel eyes bright as she scoured his face. She put her hands to his cheeks and laughed. “When did you get here? Gods, I am so glad to see you!” She pulled him close for another fierce hug.
“Late last night,” he answered as Gabriol moved around him and clapped Terena on the back before taking a seat beside Rydon. “Luckily, Rydon was still up.”
“How’s Orry? Is he still sleeping?” Terena asked, finally letting go of Croak. She took her seat again once he’d taken the one next to her.
Croak glanced at Gabriol before dropping his gaze to the table. Terena frowned and was about to speak again when the innkeeper reappeared, two more mugs of steaming coffee in his hands he set on the table.
When Gabriol and Croak had finished ordering their breakfast, Terena looked pointedly at Croak.
“So?”
Croak twisted his lips and shifted his gaze back to her. “He’s gone ahead to Seleste,” he said at last. He lifted his coffee and before he took a sip, he muttered, “And then he’s heading north.”
“What?” Terena demanded, her mouth dropping open. “Alone? Why?—”
“We had some trouble in Villadelle,” Gabriol said, his face dark as he glanced over at Croak. He turned back to Terena. “Heylisian soldiers. We got caught up in a skirmish.”
