Tails and I appeared next to Cyrus and his horse.
“I didnotknow he’d be joining us,” I whispered. “I will have a few words for Ser Elías when we return.”
He inclined his head toward mine, barely nodding to the third wheel.“Not the time,”he said.
“But I-”
“I believe you,”he replied, adding, “But perhaps this is a blessing.”
“Ablessing?”I tried to dissect the word as it left my still-buzzing lips.
Cyrus shushed me just loud enough to hear.
“Explain,” I said.
Willoughby gestured to a tree. “Just look at that. Brilliant. I must say this is nice. I never get to ride much these days,” he said. “Not since my oath.Notthat I’m complaining. I meant only that this reminds me of home. I grew up on basically a ranch, Svana will tell you. This? This is certainly a welcome change of pace from wandering the stone halls of her castle or the sands before it. These hills are gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. You get to ride these every day?”
“I do,” Evergreen said.
“I wish I could say the same.”
“You went into the wrong profession, friend,” he replied. “If you want, I could speak to Henry for you?”
My cousin laughed. “If only the oath weren’t for life, then, yeah?”
“It’s not like he had a choice,” I interjected.
They both looked back at me.
“His career,” I said. “Why, he’s a knight.”
Willoughby shrugged. “What she means to say is that I’m one of three and the youngest, sir.”
“I see. All sons?” Cyrus asked.
“All sons,” he said. “I am where I am because I must.”
“Spoken like a soldier,” Evergreen said. He pointed something out. “This sect of Chalke is often more vibrant than the southern states.”
“I agree with you,” the other said.
“Then my assumption is correct, you’ve been? Where were you stationed for the War?” he asked. “Syrt?”
“Crild,”Willoughby said.
“Crild?”my Sword replied. He grinned. “Crild is a desert. I thought your father would have friends.”
“My father did have friends, that was my crime,” Willoughby replied. “A viscount.”
“They did not offer you a place closer to home?” Cyrus asked.
“They did.”
“You denied it?” he asked.
“I did,” he said.
“Stop. YouchoseCrild? Or it was chosen for you?” I asked, surprised.
