“There was a boar. I lost him.” She straightened, looking herself over and swiping at her clothes.
Surprised, and a little shocked that I hadn’t seen evidence of one on my patrol, I instructed Alba to report the sighting to the next guard on duty. Though I was disappointed in my tracking skills, I was grateful I hadn’t come across it. A creature like that would feed many hungry bellies, but to bring myself to do it…
“Hey, can you do a quick sweep of the perimeter? I should find out where that boar is headed.”
Braxius took off in a blur of blue and I continued back to camp to find Rav and Radhak standing near a fire pit engaged in quiet conversation.
“Everything still good to move to the city?” I asked, not particularly bothered that I interrupted.
“So far so good. If we don’t hear from Highcrest by tomorrow morning, we’ll ready the wagons. They should depart day after next,” Radhak said.
“Good.” I looked at Rav and pieced together that he’d probably been telling Radhak about his concerns. The stress lines on his face gave him away. “Any other orders?”
Radhak dragged a hand down his face, resting it on his hip after it dropped. “Not as of now. We’ll have to reassess once we divide up supply for the first convoy. We definitely don’t have a surplus, so be ready to make another trip.”
“If we need to go to Highcrest, Tio wants to come.”
Radhak hummed and nodded. The air was sullen, the burden of leadership and uncertainty weighing heavier than normal.
“Also, there might be a boar nearby,” I added, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Well, certainly wouldn’t hurt.” Radhak clapped Rav on the shoulder before walking off.
Ravinder’s eyes were contemplative, his thumb slowly swiping over his bottom lip back and forth.
“You good?” I asked, keeping my voice low, so it stayed between us.
He dropped his hand, clasping it around his elbow. “We’re going to be spread thin having some of our patrol sent with the convoy. I don’t like that. They’re heading to an area that hasn’t had any issues, butwesit closer to the river and origins of thecurse up north. We need more bodies here, but Radhak thinks a group should go to settle any unrest from the townspeople.”
“Weren’t you worried about that, too? You questioned Nora about it in the meeting.”
“I am, but they’re sticking to the border until they reach the designated town, so Highcrest citizens won’t even know they’re coming until they arrive, which means no one can plan any surprises. Meanwhile, we’re left here, more vulnerable than I’d like. But, my brother makes the calls.” His jaw flexed, eyes simmering as he fought to dampen the part of himself that wanted to continue challenging his brother, his leader.
They’d had their disagreements before, but Rav had never shown this kind of bitterness regarding his brother’s decisions. “Are you going to press him?”
“His mind’s made up.” Rav’s hands dropped and balled at his sides. “And he’s sending me with the convoy.”
Now I understood his frustration. Rav was a good soldier, but he was good because he was perceptive. Realized where problems stemmed, and figured out ways to solve them. This may have been the first time that Radhak commanded his brother against his wishes.
“I’m sorry. He hasn’t asked me to leave, and if he does, I’ll simply decline.” I shrugged, not accounting for the weight of authority.
Rav finally broke, releasing a soft chuckle under his breath. “This might be the first time I’m grateful for your disrespectful attitude.”
“It does come in handy.” I teased with a smirk.
Rav shook his head, smile unwavering before he walked off. The familiar flutter of webbed wings approached.
“No sign of the boar.”
“So much for bringing good news,” I said, heaving a sigh. Using my finger to stroke Braxius’s neck, I hoped Rav wouldhave nothing to worry about. In a few weeks, things would be back to normal around here. Possibly better, given our new connection to a thankful king and queen.
Now to tell Tio I put in a good word for a Highcrest trip, and how lucky he was to have me as a friend.
12
Dae
Iwouldn’t have said that Marvoe was a man with patience before, but in these last several days, his wrath could be felt through the camp, like an encroaching devastating winter. The veins around his eyes spread in inky lines with more striking clarity than normal. Even the black band of kohl smudged across the eyes of The Eleven—the ones accepted by the Black Pool, the leadership of The Order of Darkness—couldn’t cover up the markings.
