“Because you’re soimportant, aren’t you?” spat Vig. “With your secretive endeavors.”
“Stop!” exclaimed Silla. Both Rey and Vig looked her way, startled. “It’s my fault he’s been exposed.”
Rey’s stare was like a hot poker sizzling into her skin. Thankfully, Vig seemed stunned into silence.
Gathering her courage, Silla continued. “Can you not make peace?”
“I’m afraid that ship has long sailed,” said Vig. “I will suffer your presence in Kalasgarde, Galtung. I will honor my word and keep a watchful eye on the shield-home, but I do so for Silla, not for you.”
With a long sigh, Rey rose to his feet. “I would expect no less from you. I fear I am tired and shall retire for the night.” And with that, he disappeared into the tent, leaving Silla alone with Vig and Runný.
“Irritating kunta,” muttered Vig, taking a long drink from his flask.
“What happened between you?” Silla asked. “I sense things were once different. Were you friends?”
Vig added another log to the fire, nudging it into position with a stick. “Aye, we were friends. Inseparable from a young age. But he decided himself better than us in Kalasgarde. Left without a second thought.”
Silla pursed her lips in quiet contemplation. All she’d known in her life was leaving, and she did not understand this sentiment. “And that is…bad? To leave Kalasgarde?”
“’Tis when you forget your roots, forget where you came from. We were like kin, and yet he…bah!” Vig waved a hand in the air. “I do not wish to speak of it.”
She could feel his gaze settle on her.
“What is he to you?” he asked. “Are you two?—”
“No. The man tried to kill me…twice!” She laughed, the sound a little off kilter. “But he’s also saved my life. He has a…curious sense of honor.” She thought of how Rey had helped her quit the skjöld leaves—of the hours he’d spent teaching her to defend herself. She thought of how he’d reacted to her galdur with such wonder, the way he’d dragged his fingers along her inner wrist.
You truly are filled with sunshine, aren’t you?
Silla shivered, staring into the fire. “All things considered, he’s helped me quite a lot. Even if his methods leave something to be desired.” Silla thought of the vampire deer attacking her; of the faces of the Wolf Feeders as they burned. A scowl settled in place. “I suppose I don’t know what he is to me. Friend, perhaps?”
Vig studied her from across the fire, and Silla felt as though she’d said too much.
“Best you heed my warning,” he muttered. “Galtung considersfriendsin the loosest form of the word. In truth, he cares only for his cause.”
“Cause?” asked Silla. “What is thiscause?”
“Uppreisna,” said Runný. “’Tis the old word forUprising. Those who stand against King Ivar. A network of rebels across the kingdom, working in concert to undermine the Usurper.”
Silla chewed her lip, watching her across the fire. “And what is the goal of this…Uppreisna?”
“To put the rightful heir back on the throne,” Runný replied. “The Uppreisna believe the Volsiks are protectors of Íseldur, that one of that bloodline must always be seated on the throne. Without a Volsik, the realm is unbalanced, and chaos will only grow.”
Silla felt suddenly hot, her clothing too tight. “Oh,” she managed. “And the Uppreisna send Rey?—”
“Rushing about the kingdom, doinggreat deeds?” said Vig bitterly. “Yes. Course, I’m not privy to the details. But he’s been on their leash for years.”
Silla chewed on her lip.I am simply the blade, Rey had said. So this…this must explain the murders. The victims had been targeted by the Uppreisna, and Rey…Rey would now take the fall for this. He’d be branded as a murderer, doomed to a lifetime in the shadows. The very thought made Silla’s stomach twist.
“And you?” she asked Vig and Runný. “Are you part of the Uppreisna?”
Runný opened her mouth, but Vig spoke first. “We do what we can from the north. The Galdra have been pushed to the farthest corners of this realm, and here my family has found a sense of peace. But we help where we can, when there are Galdra in need. And we keep ourselves informed on the goings on of the south.”
Silla’s head was spinning with all this information.
“And you, Silla of the South? You seek a shield-house in which to hide for some time. And you wish to learn how to use your fire. Is there anything else we must know?”
I’m Eisa Volsik, she thought, but the tightness in her body squeezed until every muscle was taut. How could she be Eisa when she could hardly manage Silla?
