Phin’s brow crinkled the slightest bit at the wordmate, but she nodded slowly. “I remember seeing Revalia on a map.”
“Well, just let me know when you’re ready to visit,” Hailon said. “I’m there at least a couple times a week, I’m happy to accompany you.”
Phin nodded, eyes gone a bit glazed. I squeezed her hand and she turned my direction, giving me a reassuring smile.
“You really do have the most gorgeous hair color,” Hailon commented. “Mine’s gone mostly white, but the silver tone to yours is just lovely, Phin.”
“Thank you.”
I was not overly wise in the ways of women, but I could see Phin warming to the casual conversation, though she still looked a bit dazed. It seemed as though it might benefit us all for Seir and I to go find something else to do, if only for a short time.
“Seir, would you walk with me to the ruins? I’d like to check on something.”
He glanced between me and the women, who had all gathered around on the little sofa. “Sure. Is Coltor there?”
Merry nodded. “Last I saw him, he was taking care of something at his hut. You may pass him on your way.”
“Perfect.” I looked to Phin. “Alright?” She nodded.
The moment Seir and I were out the door, he groaned. “They were just getting to the good stuff. You’re terrible at identifying when to leave a conversation, brother.”
“It seemed like they could use a moment to get better acquainted,” I said.
He huffed but cheered again as we started down the path. “What are we looking for?”
“Cracks. Gaps. Anything unusual.”
“You mean exactly what Coltor looks for every single day?”
“More eyes, and all that.”
He narrowed his gaze. “You don’t really have anything to check on.”
“Nothing specific. Though I do want to know if any of the dormant portals here have been behaving strangely or if I’m dealing with an anomaly.”
My brother kicked at a clump of dirt and chuckled. “You owe me some good gossip for this.”
“I suppose I have some of that. I keep forgetting, I need to pass a message to Coltor. And perhaps you or Hailon could take it to Magnus as well.”
“A message?”
“Yes, from Tormund.”
Seir stared at me, perplexed. “Have you met him, then?”
“Yes. He was guarding the church in Aymonroux.”
His head tilted to the side. “He was?”
“Yes, he introduced himself when I went back without you. Seemed very amused I’d returned.”
“I’m disappointed I missed that.” He sulked for a brief moment, then brightened again. “I’ve earned a jar of picklesfrom Hailon and now gossip from you. I’m gathering owed debts all over the place. Must be my lucky day.”
I wondered if my brother ever noticed that fortune was nearly always in his favor, but said nothing. I just enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine he’d been right to suggest we get.
Not that I’d ever tell him so.
It wasn’tuntil we walked out of the boundary of the glade and into a more heavily forested and rocky area that we came across Merry’s stone kin mate, Coltor.
