The only glory Van cared about was the kind he could find standing on a battlefield. The Kyren meant nothing to him.
Seeing he hadn't convinced Caden, Van shrugged. "You could say my instincts led me here. The potential for battle is all around. I can hardly contain my shivers of excitement."
Van’s expression was one of ecstasy as he gave a full body quiver.
This was troubling. Van's penchant for sniffing out dangerous battlefields was well known among the Trateri.
There was a saying in their ranks. "When a Lion appears, blood is sure to follow."
Caden had no doubt that statement would hold true this time as well. Danger was coming for them—and Eva was stuck in the heart of it all.
Caden put aside his concerns, centering himself as he transferred his regard to Gawain, silent and watchful until now. "And you?"
Gawain's attention lingered on Van before he took in Caden. "You could say I'm along for the ride."
Why didn't Caden believe that?
He'd watched Gawain grow up. He'd gone from an innocent boy to one who moved through the ranks by manipulation and using those stronger than himself.
Maybe what had happened after Fallon's injury had been a wake-up call. Could be it had given Gawain an epiphany, but Caden wouldn't waste his breath hoping.
Some chances weren't worth taking. Not when his heart now rested outside of his chest.
Caden didn't have time to dwell further on the pair's motivations as Chirron approached with quiet footsteps.
"Look who it is." Van's teasing smile held an edge as he watched the healer glide toward them. "I didn't think you'd stoop to using your skills for such a purpose as this."
Chirron ignored him, directing his full attention to Caden. "What do you need from me?"
"There are two prisoners in that tent. I need you to keep them alive while we extract information from them," Caden said.
Chirron listened with a serious expression. "I will do my best."
"Doesn't helping him torture the prisoners violate your creed?" Van asked with an arch tone.
Chirron stiffened but didn't otherwise react to the clan leader's words. "Anything else?"
"That's all."
Chirron nodded. "I'll get started then."
Chirron turned toward the tent only to stop at finding Van standing squarely in his way. "Could you step back? You're in my way."
Van remained motionless for long seconds before abruptly grinning as he raised his hands and took an exaggerated step back. "This good enough?"
Chirron didn't look at the clan leader as he moved past.
"One day he's going to poison you, and I hope I'm around to see it," Gawain remarked as they watched the healer enter the tent.
Van's only response was a grunt.
Gawain shook his head, leaving the topic as they settled in to wait. Groans and pain filled shouts issued from the tent.
Eventually, Chirron emerged, wiping his blood-stained hands on a cloth. Seeing Caden, he headed for him as the other two straightened.
Chirron's face was tired as he met Caden's eyes. "I have no idea what was done to put them in the shape they're in. They have massive internal bleeding. I found several broken ribs and one has a broken arm."
Van whistled. "Looks like the Tenrin aren't kind to prisoners."
