Sylar’s gaze went distant as he stared at the wall blankly. “I refused to divulge any information about my kingdom, not that I knew much. The time I spent there …” His voice dropped low. “I would not wish it upon my worst enemy.”
Elon lowered himself to his knees, looking at him in a way that could only be described as remorseful.
Sylar smiled at him faintly. The turn of his head exposed the large scar on his neck where his tattoo had been cut off. “You did as you were bid, El. At first it was your duty, then you did it to spare me, so others would not do worse. But you saved me. Here we are, safe and free, with our boys.”
Elon wiped the tears from Sylar’s cheek, exposing the warped circular scar on the back of his hand. A self-inflicted burn.
“You defected,” Rawn concluded. “When you escaped Red Highland with Sylar, you chose him over your king.”
Elon stood. “What do you intend to do?”
“Do?” He frowned. “I have no intention of reporting you, if that is your concern. The way you chose to live is no business of mine. I am also a wanted elf, if you recall.” He looked at Sylar. “As far as Greenwood knows, you died with Nisa.”
Sylar’s shoulders slumped with relief. “Thank you, Rawn.”
“He is here on another mission,” Dyna supplied.
“For King Leif?” Sy grew concerned again. “Against Red Highland?”
Rawn nodded.
“What does that have to do with Tarn?” Elon asked next.
“Only that we are headed to the same place,” Dyna replied. She canted her head as she studied him. “I always sensed you served Tarn out of duty as well, but not out of loyalty. As you are here now, I suppose that means you no longer serve your old master, either.”
Elon didn’t reply, though the answer was clear.
“Where is Von?” she asked next. “Is he with Tarn?”
No answer again. Man of little words.
Dyna’s mouth hitched. “You won’t tell us because you are loyal—toVon. Well, he is one of my Guardians. I am on his side, too.”
There was a perceptible pause after that reveal, though it didn’t seem to surprise Elon.
“We leave for Kelpway tomorrow,” Rawn said.
Elon’s eyes narrowed. “Tarn is there.”
Dyna crossed her arms. “We know.”
A quiet knock came at the door, before Klyde, Lucenna and Zev reentered the hut.
“We weren’t followed,” Zev confirmed, shaking off the raindrops in his hair.
“But we cannot return to the city,” Lucenna said. “I saw them, Rawn. A squad of Elven soldiers coming into the square, clad in red. They might be travelers, but…”
“They are not travelers.” Elon met his gaze. “They know, Lord Norrlen. Red Highland knows you are here, and they have come.”
CHAPTER 24
Dynalya
“You cannot go to Kelpway. It is far too dangerous.” Sylar’s statement filled the stifled silence. “If Red Highland knows you are here, they will hunt you, Rawn. They care nothing for Dwarf Shoe’s laws.”
Klyde looked out the windows. “How would they know he is here?”
“Red Highland has spies everywhere,” Elon replied.
