Rydon started, his steps pausing as he glanced over at Croak. “No.”
“Aye,” Croak grinned, “and now Hermes wants Ren to find a tracker for him. Who is also in Ovenno.”
“Fuck,” Gabriol muttered, wedging his big body between Croak and Rydon, forcing Croak into the wall. He mumbled curses under his breath as he ran to Rydon’s left.
“Why this tracker?” Ren called out.
Hermes turned. “I was told she would help us.”
“That’s great Hermes.” Ren laughed. Spreading her arms she asked, “Help us how?”
Ignoring her, Hermes smiled as he added, “When you have Sonah, meet me in Metilai. I’ll expect you there by your nameday.”
“What?” Ren scoffed, striding after Hermes. “Why Metilai? You never said?—”
“I told you we were taking back what is ours,” the god replied after he’d mounted his warhorse. Resting a hand on his thigh, he scowled down at their little group. “Destroying the empire was always at the top of my list. After getting your sister back, my plan was always to attack Metilai.”
“And what of the shroud?” Ren sounded exasperated as she flung out her arms.
In the month they’d known Hermes, the god had spent most of his time training Terena to use her powers. While she’d grown in her abilities, especially the closer she was to her nameday, he was cagey with details surrounding the Olympians.
Especially her father, Ares.
“Hopefully, the cleric figures it out. We’ll be back for him when the time comes. But Solon and his empire need to be dealt with first.”
“Hear, hear,” Croak called out and stamped his foot. Rydon threw a grimace his way as Gabriol smacked the back of his head.
Hermes turned his mount and looked at Ren over his shoulder, grinning. “I thought you’d be pleased! You’ll be back with your sister in a few weeks and by the time you ascend withall your powers at long last, you’ll have revenge on the man who almost killed you.”
“There’s war all across the eastern side of the continent,” Rydon called out, stepping up to stand at Terena’s side. “And you want us to head right into it? At least give us a host of soldiers to travel with us.”
Hermes looked down at Rydon in disbelief. His hellion of a horse snorted and Croak swore the puff of vapor was smoke from the fires of Hades rather than the cold.
“You travel with a god,” Hermes spat, his jovial expression at odds with his harsh tone. “You yourself are immortal. Soon you’ll have another god to travel with so believe me, Eudaemon, you’re in a much better position to traverse this continent than I am.”
Gabriol snorted and Croak let out a disbelieving chuckle. The god pretended at humility about as well as a viper pretended at being docile.
“Two months,” Hermes said as he pointed at Terena. “I will see you in Metilai. Bring the tracker with you when you find her.”
NEAR VESALA, OVENNO
A week later, they arrived at the village outside of Vesala where Hermes said they’d find the tracker. The stars emerged and shadows gathered as the night deepened. Terena slowed as they neared their destination.
The rundown looking building did not resemble any tavern Terena had ever frequented. In fact, it looked deserted. No one stood outside and there were no sounds coming from within as she, Croak, and Rydon, stopped in front of the abandoned watering hole. Migela and Gabriol were on watch, standing on either end of the empty street, hidden in shadows.
“Did we make a wrong turn?” Croak asked as he swiveled around, looking up and down the street. The buildings on either side seemed just as rundown, seedy in a way that spoke more of criminal activity rather than despair and poverty.
Terena glanced around, her eyes narrowed as she took in their surroundings. “Stay sharp,” she murmured, clapping her brother on his shoulder. “Someone’s watching us.”
Rydon scowled as his hand drifted to the broadsword at his side.
“Should we leave?” Croak’s voice was barely above a whisper, but Terena heard the panic beneath.
“We’ll be fine,” Rydon muttered, arching an auburn eyebrow and lifting his chin at Terena. “We’ve got a god with us. And I’m immortal.”
“God or not,” Croak sputtered, stepping closer to both his sister and Rydon. “She’s still months away from her nameday. When she ascends, I’ll rest easier about visiting establishments such as this.”
“I told you to stay behind,” Terena hissed as she cast him a baleful glance before walking toward the rotting wooden door of the tavern. According to Hermes, this is where his mercenary had seen their quarry.
