Because he’d known, secretly, some part of her must have been waiting for his return. But Cassiel knew they would eventually leave this place when spring arrived. So if he didn’t return by now, he never would.
Dyna wiped all emotion from her face and turned toward him. She was dressed in her leather armor, strapped with a short sword, knives, and her bow.
Gone was the Maiden.
In her place stood a warrior.
Dyna strode past him and went outside without looking back.
A weight settled in his stomach like a stone. The indifference on her face, the remoteness of her presence, saddened Rawn to see it shadow the spirit of the one who used to shine like the sun.
This should have been a good day. A happy one even, but the cloudy sky matched the mood.
Gale, Tavin, and Edyth were waiting to say goodbye. They each hugged Klyde.
“When will you return?” Tavin asked him.
“Only the Gods know, lad. Perhaps within the year, at best.”
Rawn heard an echo of him saying the same and inwardly winced. At least Klyde had not made any promises.
“I don’t understand why I can’t go with you.”
Klyde mussed his hair. “You’re not finished with your training yet.”
His nephew jerked his head back. “This isn’t a mercenary mission, uncle. You’re not off to fight in someone else’s war, so it’s hardly dangerous.”
“It’s the trolls I’m worried about, Tavin.”
The boy’s mouth pursed. “I’m the best cadet on the squad. You’ve said so yourself. I can hold my own out there.”
“One day you’ll be ready to cross the Bridge, but not yet. For now, I need you to keep the town safe while I’m gone, aye?”
Tavin stormed away into the manor.
Edyth smiled apologetically. “That is his way of saying he will miss you.”
“I know,” Klyde sighed. “Keep an eye on him.”
“We all will,” Gale said, handing Eagon a sack of food when he approached. He kissed her temple and the sleeping baby in her arms.
A unit of mercenaries on horses waited for them by the path into town. Zev helped Lucenna and Dyna climb onto two spare horses as Klyde went to Onyx.
At Rawn’s whistle, Fair cantered over, and he mounted the saddle.
“We will escort them to the west gorge,” Eagon told his wife. “I will return in eight days.”
Crossing the bridge on horseback would significantly cut down their travel time. It would also make it easier to escape the Horde if needed.
She smiled at him shakily. “Don’t keep me waiting too long.”
They shared a long embrace before the lieutenant pulled away and mounted his horse next to Klyde’s. At his signal, the men rode out, and the girls followed with a black wolf on their heels.
The captain spared one last look at the manor. Rawn followed his stare to the window where Tavin watched them.
The boy’s pale eyes were hard. Resentful.
For a moment, he saw the shadow of his own son standing there in the window, scorning him for leaving him behind.
