I didn’t want to tell him the truth. Stalling, I studied the silver buttons on his coat, and the detailed embroidery on his collar.
Seth knelt, bringing his face into my line of vision. “You won’t steal any of my truths, if you don’t share yours.”
Sighing, I supposed fair was fair. “I didn’t want something fake,” I said quietly. “I wanted to fall in love.”
Seth regarded me quietly. “Did you?”
“. . .no. Considering our course, I suppose I never will.”
“Hm.” He looked away. “Romance is something fools dream will fill the void in their heart. But it doesn’t.” He said shortly. “Take a rest. You’ve earned it.” Turning stiffly on his heel, he marched away.
Had I said something to offend him? No. Something in my words had drawn forth unpleasant memories.
Dusting myself off, I slid my sword into my saddlebags and pulled out my bedroll. Eleos followed me, snapping his journal closed as he reached my side. “You alright?”
“Yeah, why?”
“It looked like something he said upset you.”
“I think you have it backwards,” I said, finding a spot by the fire to roll out my mat. “And I can’t read him, still.”
Eleos watched Seth across the fire. “Neither can I. But, he’s been an ally, and it’s rude to pry. . .”
“You’re not going to try and catch him in a moment of weakness?” I guessed.
“You read my mind.” He said, wearing a little half-smile. “Some people bury their heart not to hide it from others, but to shield themselves from reliving the pain.”
He was right. Maybe the secrets this group kept were not born of malice or shame, butpain. Maybe we were all just broken inside.
* * *
The stars hid behind a blanket of clouds tonight. I watched the gloomy sky, searching for a hint of light behind the black canvas. Myriad thoughts raced through my head, keeping my eyes open and awake.
Sitting up, I glanced around our camp. Percy had taken the first watch, and I’d been assigned the last. A dim lantern glowed in the distance, where he kept vigil over the mountain pass.Dragging myself from the sleeping roll, I pulled a cloak around my shoulders and wandered toward the light.
Soft lute twangs reached my ears, a gentle lullaby. Perched on a rock, Percy idly strummed a song while staring forward into the night, his white hair hanging into his eyes. Noticing me, he quickly brushed back his hair and smiled.
“Aethra. What are you doing up?”
“Can’t sleep,” I said, sitting beside him. “What are you playing?”
“A song my mother liked.” He set the lute aside. “She used to sing me to sleep with it.”
Percy had changed from his tattered tunic into equally garish garb. A ridiculous V cut his tunic in half, cinched by his colorful patchwork sash. There must’ve been a story behind it for him to wear it so often.
“Did she make you that?” I asked, nodding at the sash.
“Yes.” He sat forward eagerly. “It was originally a doublet. My first proper bard outfit.” Nostalgia warmed his eyes. “I was six, in case you were curious.”
“She must have been proud.” Folding my arms, I tucked myself into my cloak. “How did you and Seth meet, anyhow?”
“Chance.” He crossed a leg over the other. “He needed information from the town guard. Of all the men he could’ve chatted up, fate chose me.”
“I take it he was asking about a target?”
“One I didn’t much like. I ended up helping him.” He leaned back, watching the stars. “The old codger had it coming. Some madams treat their girls like people. Others, like refuse.” Percy’s head snapped back down. “Gloomy tales won’t help you sleep. The story of how he abandoned me is funny, in hindsight.”
Shifting, I clasped my hands in my lap. “Seth mentioned that. He said you should’ve stayed home. That he was hoping you’d turnback.”
