Stop,he admonished himself, his guilt smoldering. It was none of Jonas’s business. Yet he couldn’t help but think…if he listened in on these Klaernar, perhaps he could, somehow, help his Crew leader. Feed Rey information to keep him safe.
No. That meant helpingher. Anger burned his guilt away, and he drained his horn in a few quick gulps.
“Any news on the hindrium?” asked one of the Klaernar down the table.
“Should be soon,” replied Ulfar. “When it’s ready, it might change the game, lads.”
“Galdra kuntas won’t know what hit ‘em,” said his comrade.
The barmaid was back, handing a fresh horn of ale to Jonas.
“How long has the warband been searching for the Slátrari?” asked one of the Klaernar.
“Must be a week, perhaps two. Don’t understand it. We pointed them right there.”
Kalasgarde, thought Jonas, his brow twitching.
“Someone must know him.”
Ulfar growled. “Aye.Someonein this kingdom knows something.”
Kalasgarde!Jonas’s mind screamed. He threw back his ale, swallowing it with several large gulps.
“Maybe they’re waiting for a larger reward.”
“Truth is,” said the kaptein, his voice lowering, “the Black Cloak would pay a right fortune. He wants ‘em. Both of ‘em. And his patience wears thin.”
Kalasgarde, Kalasgarde, Kalasgarde,chanted his mind, in time with his thundering pulse. Another horn was placed before him. Jonas drained it before the word could break free.
Reward,hissed the voice, dark and deep within him.Easy coin. Restore your family’s lands.
No. He needed to retain some shred of himself, some dignity and honor.
What honor is there in lying to you all these long years?retorted the voice.He led you into that battle. Is partly to blame for your brother’s death.
Jonas closed his eyes. Took several deep breaths.
Kalasgarde, chanted the voice.
His eyes flew open. Jonas glanced down the bench. The group was just there. One word. One word uttered, and he’d earn some coin…coin put toward buying back his lands. Could put everything behind him and move on with his life.
But Rey. His brother in arms. The one person left in this kingdom who knew and respected Jonas. Turning on Rey would be a new low. One he could never come back from.
He pushed to his feet, ale spilling from his horn. He felt the Klaernar watching him. Waiting for him to betray his former brother in arms.
Jonas threw coins on the table.
Stumbled from the hall. Pushed into the black stone streets of Kopa. Bending double, he gasped in deep, desperate breaths.
“Kalasgarde,” he whispered.
Chapter Twenty-Five
SUNNAVÍK
Saga’s charcoal raced across the parchment, smudging along her mother’s jawline and into the curve of her chin. After sneaking past guards patrolling the northern wing, she’d stolen to the secret passageway she’d foolishly revealed to Rurik. Now, she waited for the Zagadkian to join her so she could give him his map.
Saga glanced at the doorway, irritated. Rurik was late, and with each passing minute, her nerves grew. In part, it was the anticipation of seeing him for the first time since The Incident, as she’d taken to calling it. Saga had told the man hesmelled goodand had proceeded to hand him all the kindling he needed to burn her to the ground…
