“You can thank us by leaving Immalon,” Jehon says, voice gruffer.
We all stand and meet at Rynthea’s side.
“What my husband means”—Xiaodera gives Jehon a sharp look—“is that it’s best for you all to leave while the sun lingers. If you have plans to reach The Shallows, you will need to reach Gadonia first, correct?”
“That’s right,” Rynthea answers.
“Gadonia is a straight path from one of our departure passages. Normally, it would not be safe to travel at night when creatures of Xaimur are on the prowl, but this passage will not throw you into any forests or imminent danger. It is relatively safe to travel on, and it’s how we handle our trading with Gadonia. It is, however, seven hours by foot, and that doesn’t include rest breaks. By horseback, you could make it within four or five.”
“Do you have horses we can borrow?” Thane asks.
Xiaodera focuses on Thane. “Are you sure you won’t endanger them with the burdens you carry?”
Thane fights a grimace. “I don’t hurt animals.”
“Well, there was that swamp monster.” Algar raises a finger. “Technically, the monsters are like the animals. They’re just wilder and—”
“Algar,shut up,” Thane and Rynthea say at the same time.
I stifle a laugh as Xiaodera observes us, mildly amused. “It is a miracle you all have survived one another.”
“Tell me about it,” I mutter.
“Very well. We will see to it that you have horses to reach Gadonia,” Xiaodera vows. “When you make it, I request that you give our horses to the owners of the Gadonian stables. They’ll refresh them before we make our way over to collect them.”
“Is your tribe close with Gadonia?” I ask.
“They are our closest allies. Just as we have things to protect, so do they.”
I nod. “Well, thank you so much, Queen Xiaodera.” It feels necessary to bow to her. When I stand up straight, she seems pleased by it, so I roll with it.
“Suck-up,” Algar mumbles in my ear.
I catch him off guard and elbow him in the ribs. Zephra does her little maobi cackle as he grunts.
“When the prince is healed, we will escort him to Bernwood safely.” Xiaodera walks toward Kelrean, who is sipping wine from a deep goblet. She snatches it out of his hands and tosses the remainder into the fire, causing a loud sizzle.
“Oh, come on!” he exclaims. “I was drinking that!”
“You’ll never heal at this rate,” Xiaodera scolds.
“Believe me, wine heals everything.” Kelrean beams at her. She is not at all charmed.
“I will press on.” Rynthea faces me, Algar, and Thane.
“Really?” I shrill. She has no idea how happy I am to hear that.
“I hate thinking about what other dangers lie ahead,” she admits, stroking the handle of her weapon with her thumb, “but my scythesword has been returned, and we’re very close. Torjack needs this.Youneed this, Zaira. We’ll keep going.”
I feel warm and gooey inside and want to hug her, but I know better than to get all mushy on her while we’re around such a strong tribe. Rynthea seems to only reveal her softer side in private, likely with people she respects or trusts. I’m honored to be one of those people.
…
“Come back to visit me in Bernwood again, won’t you?” Kelrean gives me a gentle hug as I rest my head on his chest and hug him back.
“Of course,” I tell him. “I had a lot of fun there.”
When I look up, he grabs my chin between his fingers and smiles down at me. “My favorite mortal. Travel safe.”
