Most of all, he really didn’t want the children to witness him being cornered and questioned, possibly hauled away, as was bound to happen if their first stop in Calderre was a military outpost.
They were dealing with at least one traitor.There was also the fact that his family had been lied to about his death in the field.Too much was being driven behind the scenes for his comfort.They needed to control as much as they could about his return.
Connor nodded to Cass.“Rosewood, then.”
Chapter 23
Daya’s Homestead, Hannelore Mountain, Realm of Eldridge
Thesharp,metallicringof a rock being polished filled the gaps in sound as the fire crackled and popped.On the ground close to the hearth, Veda was focused intensely on her task.
Neka lay sprawled next to her, body curled around hers protectively as if she was the owlcat’s own owlet.Instead of sleeping, Neka was focused on Veda’s activity, nearly as intently as Veda was.She occasionally batted a paw or nosed the stone as Veda worked with it, making the girl smile.
Working with the stones had become Veda’s favorite evening activity.Usually, she worked with the gold veined lenthomar rocks.The area was littered with them due to the number of velentha trees that grew within the mountain range.This was something different.An occasional glint of color shimmered in Veda’s hands, different each time.
Giving in to her curiosity, Daya peered as close as she could without disturbing the girl.Shock flitted through her.It appeared to be the coarse, rainbow-hued mineral that was embedded into her guardian armor.The same stone that made up the meditation chambers deep within the guardian sanctum.It only existed near the heart of the mountain.Rare pieces could occasionally be found in the sacred valley, but Daya had only found a handful over her many years caring for the land.
“Veda, where did you find that rock?”she asked.
“In the valley.”Veda looked up at her worriedly.“Was it not okay to bring it back?”
“It’s okay.It’s just that those are very rare.It’s very special to find one.”
Truthfully, it made her wonder if she had found it by chance at all.Perhaps the mountain had set it in her path as she wandered the valley, getting to know her new domain.
“Oh.”Veda looked at the stone thoughtfully before continuing her work.“I was looking for a special rock near the velentha trees in the valley, and then suddenly I spotted this.It’s so different and beautiful.”
“It is,” Daya agreed.“You seem intent on finishing this one rather quickly.”
Small hands paused for a long moment, fiddling with the rock.A nudge from Neka made Veda finally look up at her.“We’re leaving in the morning for the fortress.I wanted to bring it with us.”
“Oh?Why is that?”
Veda chewed at her lip.“The team might be there this time, to pick up the soldiers, right?”
“It’s very possible.Why?”
The timing was right.Though she’d felt no indication of visitors on the mountain, the fortress was at the outermost edge.It was possible she wouldn’t feel them until they were very close, depending on where they were coming from.She would be glad to be rid of the responsibility of keeping the two prisoners alive while they waited to be picked up and taken back for interrogation.
“Do you think they could take something back to Calderre?”Veda asked.
A sharp twist pained her heart, shorting her breath for an instant as understanding dawned.“The rock is for Connor?”
Veda touched the necklace she wore and nodded.Daya had assumed it was from her parents before they died.She never removed it, clutching it close whenever she was upset or nervous.
“That’s why you wanted the leather?To make it into a necklace for him?”
“Since I kept his, I thought I could make him one.”
Her simple statement stole Daya’s breath for a moment.Of course Connor had given his soul-daughter something of his to keep with her.The heartbroken part of her was upset that she couldn’t say the same.Didn’t have something of his to hold to her chest when she thought of him.When she woke up from dreams that were too real, just to find him gone from her life.Time would dull the memories, but for now, the pain was too fresh.
“Do you think they’d take it back to him?”Veda asked when she remained silent.“I know you don’t want me seen by anyone, but you could give it to them, couldn’t you?”
Could she?Yes.Did she want to trust these strangers with their connection to Connor?No.Veda watched her with a pleading gaze, hope and longing radiating from her as she clutched the new stone in her palm.
The refusal wouldn’t leave Daya’s lips.“If they seem trustworthy, then I’ll consider it, but I can’t promise anything.”
Veda nodded, turning away from her to bury her head in Neka’s feathery coat.She put an arm over the owlcat and hugged her tight.Neka leaned in as well, hugging her back as she began to rumble softly with a heavy purr.
