“Redclaw.”
I stop dead in my tracks. “You’re joking, right?”
“No,” he answers, still moving ahead. “We need a horse, and they sell them cheap.”
“But Redclaw is ten times worse than the Scraps. My sister told me about it. I heard they buy dead bodies and sell the organs to the beastials who’ll eat them.”
“Even if that rumor is true, it doesn’t have a damn thing to do with me buying a horse.”
I draw in an unsteady breath as Thane breaks through a thicket of trees.
This is for Analla.Just push through for her.
With that in mind, I curse under my breath and follow him into the depths of the forest.
Chapter 9
“You act like you’re not afraid of anything.” I shove a branch out of the way, catching up to Thane. We’ve been walking for nearly half an hour now, weaving through the forest and crossing through fields of dirt.
“I’m not,” he says back.
“I don’t believe that. Everyone’s afraid of something. Are you not scared of dying? Actually, I don’t even know why I bother asking. You look like the type to invite trouble instead of running away from it.”
He turns his head a fraction of an inch. I can’t see his entire face, but I do see a lifted eyebrow. “Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?”
I shrug. “My sister likes to say so occasionally.”
“Well, she’s right.”
I roll my eyes, falling into step beside him. He takes long strides and moves at a rapid pace. Seeing as he’s nearly twice my height, I damn near break a sweat trying to keep up.
He finally slows down to tug his mask up, covering half of his features as we approach rusty arched iron gates built into black brick walls.
“Oh, no.” A guard standing at the gate in red buffers widens his stance and plants his hand on the handle of a sheathed sword at his waist. “The fuck doyouwant?”
My pulse quickens as my eyes swing from the guard to a bored-looking Thane.
“Let me through, Chaun.”
“And why would I do that after what you did during your last visit?” Chaun steps forward, and another man emerges from a line of trees to our left, gripping the pommel of his weapon, too.
Oh, gods.I’m never going to make it to Elphar at this rate. I probably won’t even live to see the end of the day with Thane swinging his dick around at every stop.
“I’m not here to cause trouble,” Thane replies. “I’m here to buy a horse. Now let me through.”
“Thing is, Valkor, Garyn is still pissed at you.”Valkor?So that’s his last name. Or maybe it’s his first and he goes by the last? I don’t know. “Do you know how long it took to clean up the card tables after you left? They were covered in velvet, and blood waseverywhere, you piece of shit. We had to replace over half of them and bury those men.”
Thane offers a shrug. “My condolences.” He strides toward Chaun as he sticks out his hand. Thane drops several gold coins into Chaun’s palm.
Chaun makes sure the other guard isn’t looking before counting them. With an annoyed exhale, he shifts backward. “Go through the back gate. But I’m warning you now, don’t let Garyn catch you. You get a horse and get the fuck out.” He bobs his head at the other man. “Take them ’round.”
The other guard leads the way, skirting the perimeter of the brick wall until a smaller gate appears. It creaks on the hinges as the guard unlocks the doors. I follow Thane closely, ignoring the stranger’s obvious annoyance.
Redclaw isn’t really a town, more like a small settlement. The dirt streets ahead are bustling with bodies. Copious treetops hang over the brick walls, as if they’re proud to keep this place a secret. The sky is hard to make out, so it appears darker here than outside the gates. Shabby huts line either side of the street, and as we pass through, a few people peep out of their windows.
I grip the strap of my rucksack tighter as I notice a group of men standing near a tavern, smoking brimsticks. Ahead of us, in the heart of the village, is a half-circle of dirt-stained pavilions.
Merchants stand outside of them, shouting prices as we pass, insisting that we step in to look at what they’re offering. Most of them smile and wave. Oh,no. I’m not falling for it this time. I keep a good pace with Thane as he remains intent on finding a horse.
