Rupert crossed his arms with an unamused grunt. “You’re askin’ me if a criminal is more appealing than a hero who has sacrificed for his country?”
“Ha!” Shea laughed victoriously. “I knew I liked you, Rupert.”
The old man just glowered, but Freddy thought he could see just the hint of a smile tugging at his mouth.
“Well, when you put it that way…” he conceded, letting the words trail off with a shrug.
The barge slowed as they steered it into the shallower water near the shore, and finally came to a stop with a dull, grinding sound. The three men hopped over the railing and pulled it higher onto the sand. Freddy pushed his damp hair from his face as he looked around. The ground behind him climbed up towards a grassy embankment dotted with pink and yellow flowers. A tall willow tree hung over the water to his left, and dragonflies darted over the water, happy to dance about now that the sun was shining again. The trees were not as thick here as they were near the palace, but there were still enough to keep him from finding any distinguishable landmarks.
“Any idea where we are?”
Rupert brushed his hands against his trouser legs, clearing them of sand. “If I remember correctly, we’re about twelve miles west of Ackens. Here, on the Anuran side, the closest town is Straborough, about half a mile to the northwest. That’s where I’m headed. There’s no sense in tryin’ to get the barge back upriver until tomorrow.” He paused for a moment, as if debating his next words. “You boys are welcome to come with if you want.”
Freddy looked over to Shea, who nodded to him in deference. He smiled at Rupert. “We appreciate your offer, but I think we’ll try to get at least a few miles in before nightfall. Thank you so much for the ride.”
The old man shrugged. “If that’s what you want. I’ll be takin’ my leave now, then.” He started up the slope, then stopped after a few steps to look over his shoulder. “I hope you find your lady love. She must really be somethin’ special.”
Freddy’s smile softened. “She is.”
With a final nod, Rupert disappeared from sight, his pale hair glowing like gold in the afternoon sun.
Shea handed Freddy his bundle of belongings, and he carefully peeled his jacket away from his lute, relieved to see that the instrument had remained mostly dry, despite the deluge. He looped both the lute and his bag over his shoulder and spread his coat out over his arm to dry as they walked. “On the bright side,” he said cheerfully as they started the long trek back to Ackens, “now that we look like drowned and bedraggled cats, it’s unlikely that anyone will recognize us.”
Shea snorted. “Speak for yourself. I’m cleaner now than I was for most of the last four years.”
“Ah, yes.” Freddy nodded sagaciously as he pretended to study his friend. “I am bedraggled, but you look like a proper rogue. So proper, in fact, that I would not be surprised if some kindly old lady invites you in for tea.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“What’s that? I’m charming? Why, thank you.” Freddy held a hand to his chest. “I’m truly flattered.”
Shea rolled his eyes as he fought a smile. “Save your attempts at banter for Lizzie. I’m sure she’ll actually appreciate it.”
Freddy’s smile froze in place for a moment as a thread of ice cold doubt coursed through his veins.
“But will she?”it whispered. “She’s done nothing but give you false smiles and cold, polite answers the last ten years. She treats you like a stranger she’s forced to make conversation with.”
His heart argued against the doubt.“But she’s done that to everyone. Something happened to her; something changed her. I’m not giving up until I figure it out.”
“Why? She doesn’t love you. Is all of this really worth it just for her to break your heart again?”
Shea cleared his throat. “You’re looking troublingly pensive right now.”
He gave his head a small shake, shoving the doubt back down where he could no longer hear it, and raised his eyebrows in mock offense. “Should I be hurt that you think me incapable of deep thought?”
“The thinking isn’t the troubling part. Rather, it’s the expression on your face that reminds me of a kicked puppy.”
“Again, should I be hurt?”
“Fred.” Shea’s voice took on a serious tone. “What’s wrong?”
Freddy sighed and scuffed the ground in front of him. “How are you so annoyingly good at reading people?”
“Years of training and experience on the battlefield trying to determine in a split second if someone is going to run away or try to kill me.”
“Ah, yes. I suppose that will do it. I promise I’m not planning your demise.”
“Stop trying to deflect.”
