Silence fell for a long moment, both of them hardly moving their heads but still perusing the dark ground.
Scarlen’s thoughts drifted to her father. How often he had punished her and her siblings, telling them they would be stronger for it. She was certain he would hold a frown of disgust if he were watching her now through the witch’s eye. ‘Do you think the witch reveals us at all times here?’
‘Jesserlie is powerful, but I think she can only focus on one area at a time. She’s probably got her attention on Varklee, as he’s more likely to provide the best entertainment.’
‘It’s not entertainment. Someone will die out here.’
‘We might not like it, but for those watching, it brings some sort of sadistic joy.’ His chest rose and fell steadily, reaching into her back, adding more of his warmth. ‘You have to remember, to them we’re nothing but scum. They don’t care about our lives. Not sure they care about anyone at all.’
The thought of the king watching, uncaring, made a little sense to Scarlen. She liked to think her father loved her, but his way was cruel. He never held affection in his eyes. Perhaps he didn’t know how to love. Did she?
‘We should move.’ In case her father was watching her, she didn’t want to appear a coward, hiding in a tree, protected by a Rebel. Would that even be amusing to him? ‘We can make our way to the edge so our backs are covered.’
‘Sounds like a plan.’
They clambered down as quietly as possible, scanning the darkness for any signs of movement, but all was clear as far as they could see.
‘What did you do last time?’ she whispered.
‘I was here for two days, so stayed close to the pond.’
‘Can we really drink from it?’
‘Yeah, Jesserlie purifies it.’
They walked side by side where possible and in single file where the nature trails narrowed, Bear’s feet lighter than hers upon the fallen twigs and foliage.
‘None of this feels real,’ she said as they met the tall fence holding them in, beyond a drop to the bay.
‘You shouldn’t even be in here.’
Scarlen turned, close to his chest. ‘You shouldn’t be here either. It’s not fair.’
‘Life’s not fair. You just have to do your best to get through the shit thrown your way.’ He sat, patting the damp earth. ‘Sit for a while.’
Inhaling the night, the brine,him, she sat cross-legged, the dagger on her lap. The gentle whooshing sound of the bay filling the air every so often reminded her of the gap between the island and the rest of the kingdom. Were there battles taking place elsewhere as well? Would they be told if wyrmocs had arrived already? ‘Did you kill in here last time?’ she blurted.
‘No, I tried to stay hidden. Only defend if need be.’ He faced her. ‘I’m not going to give them what they want.’
‘A show?’
He shook his head slightly. ‘Me.’
‘There’s enough tragedy in this place. They don’t need to torture us.’
‘They make money out of it, so, yeah, they do.’
Scarlen sighed quietly, her attention on the trees directly in front as something rustled. ‘Bear.’ Nudging his leg with her knee, she gestured towards the noise.
He was on his feet at once, positioning himself in front of her, but that wouldn’t do. Not if she was being observed by her father. She could sense his disappointment in her for not standing to fight. So she did, moving to Bear’s side, dagger raised, shaking but ready.
11
‘You might as well come out,’ said Bear, eyeing the trees as two shadows slipped from left to right. ‘For fuck’s sake!’ he mumbled as no one came out. ‘Do you really want me to come in there?’ he spat, turning to Scarlen as she lightly touched his arm, the feeling of her hand on him as weird as ever.
Two small figures in green clothing emerged, faces beaten from fear alone, one of the lads using a long branch as a walking cane to aid an obvious limp.
Scarlen went to scoot forward, but Bear placed his arm in her way. ‘Ooh, what happened to you?’ she asked, clearly ignoring Bear’s silent order not to approach them.
