Violence formysake.
Confusion nestles just beneath something that oddly resembles appreciation. I’ve somehow forgotten that I need to exhale, and when I do, I tear my gaze from his to find Chiyo staring at me.
“What?” I ask.
“Maybe Alys can tattoo over your branding as well.”
My brows rise.
“Maybe knitting needles. Or a spool of thread and a needle.” She laughs, and it tugs a smile from me. Kilkenny’s mood remains solemn.
“Wait until we get to the Verge,” Alys motions. “My husband is an even better tattoo artist.” She winks.
“You have a husband?” Osheen speaks at the same time I do. Neither Chiyo nor Kilkenny are surprised, though.
Alys laughs and nods. “Oh yes,” she says. “But that’s a tale for another stop.”
CHAPTER 54
Durvla
After another weekon the road, the village of Glinrew surprises us with a vibrant open market. The dirt roads are strewn with a multitude of vendors and villagers, the air thick with assorted aromas. My legs can’t decide whether to be grateful for the break from horseback or provoked by having to walk. At least we’ve managed to stay ahead of the Forayers—there hasn’t been any sign of them lately.
We reluctantly leave our horses at a stable, and Alys generously tips the stable hands. Walking through the streets, we’re among vendors selling textiles and produce, wood crafts, and metalwork. I walk between Alys and Kilkenny with Osheen and Chiyo a few paces ahead. They’re chatting, as usual, Chiyo nudging Osheen with her elbow and laughing at something he says in response. Something tugs in my chest. I used to have that sort of easygoing relationship with him.
“So, your husband is a rebel,” I say to Alys, hoping to distract myself.
Alys smiles, tugging loose waves of her thick salt-and-pepper hair beneath the colorful headscarf she wears. I focus on her mouth, back to fully relying on lipreading. “Yes. He’s second-in-command, in fact.”
I stare at her, wide-eyed. I want to ask so much more about the rebellion and the chain of command. But more importantly, I want to learn about Alys and her family. “How long have you two been apart?”
“I last saw him very briefly probably a year ago. We met up in Darragh for a night. He was a tradesman from Moicriach but has been in the Verge for about seven years by now.”
“Seven years?”
Alys nods. “Yes, about as long as I’ve been the head healer at Paramount. Before that, we lived in Moicriach and then Darragh… With our daughter.”
I stop walking. “You have a daughter, too? How old? And how long have you and your husband been married? Too many questions?”
Alys laughs. “She’s twenty-six. A woman grown by now. My husband and I were together when I gave birth, then we separated. We didn’t reconcile until Ava was about ten years old, but we’ve been thick as thieves since then. Being away from them is hard, but necessary. When we can, we exchange notes via enchanted parchment.”
I hope that my next words come out as quietly as I intend. “Enchanted parchment?”
Alys smiles and nods.
Gods, there’s so much I don’t know about magic. “Alys, you must be the greatest spy of all time.”
She laughs.
“The name that Haruka called you: Elviera … Is that your real name?”
“My birth name, rather. When I moved here as a child, I took up a new name to fit in with my friends. At this stage in my life, I’m as much Alys as I am Elviera.”
“Where were you born?”
“Balghero. It’s a land far south of Erleya. My parents were from even farther away. To the east. My grandparents and the generations before lived a nomadic life, but my parents decided to settle in this new land. I’m so very glad they did, as I got to meet all of you.” She smiles and winks at me, and my lips curve up.
“Do you miss Balghero?” I ask her.
