I wrap my arms firmly around Saela, taking in the Siphons’ locations. Wondering how best to keep her safe in this mess. The shadows stir, and I reach for them, their slithering darkness coming to wrap around my arms.
“Peace!” my father shouts. He moves forward toward me and Venna, arms outstretched. “This is a truce, remember?”
The air is tight with tension as each of us looks to the other side to see who will move first.
Then Elias remounts, pointedly sheathing his sword. His authority curbs the Siphons, and they fall back, weapons returning to scabbards, though none of them looks happy about it.
My father kneels, tending to Hanlen, who moans in pain on the ground.
“Stop whining, we all know that a missing limb won’t kill you,” Venna snaps.
The one called Davide seethes next to Hanlen, staring at Stark and Cratos with obvious loathing.
“Consider it a demonstration,” I suggest, voice dripping with acid. “Of how we like to deal with spies in Nocturna. And Elias?” He meets my gaze. “If Hanlen wants to keep his other three limbs, you better instruct him and the rest of the bloodsuckers to keep their magic to themselves for the rest of our journey.”
Elias looks at me blankly, face eerily expressionless, eyes calculating. Then he gives me a toothy grin, fangs on full display.
“It shall be so, Your Highness,” he says.
We rest in two separate groups, pointedly keeping our distance while the Siphons finish tending to Hanlen’s wound.
Cratos licks his chops whenever he sees a Siphon looking our way. I can’t blame him, but it’s not exactly letting tempers settle.
“He cannot help himself,” Anassa says affectionately.“Tearing apart Siphons is what he was made to do.”
Not the most auspicious start to our journey.
The sun drifts lower in the sky, turning fat and honey-golden on the horizon. The late-afternoon light paints the valley in muted tones and soft shadows. The beautiful scenery is a stark contrast to the simmering anger among our divided party.
Finally, we all mount back up, settling into an uneasy truce. We travel in stony silence.
Elias guides us down into the valley. He informs me that we’ll rest for the night at a military outpost—a way station specifically designed for military travelers, with accommodations for horses.
“We’ll avoid entering the nearby town directly because the appearance of direwolves would likely frighten the residents. Our goal on this entire journey is for them not to be spotted, if possible,” Elias tells me. His eyes catch mine, and he adds, “There are many tales in Astreona of the savagery of your beasts.”
I bristle at his phrasing but cut off my retort.Diplomacy.
Once word gets around about what happened to Hanlen, there’ll be one more story circulating.
I can’t bring myself to feel any regret.
The outpost is small. There’s a large wooden building that looks like it’s meant for storage; a long, open-air stable; a cluster of drafty-looking stone structures; and a covered well in the center of it all. The place is mostly empty, likely populated only by the people required to keep it operational.
Upon our arrival, a few stable hands nervously shuffle up to accept the horses, glancing fearfully at our wolves before fleeing. A few others wander around the open complex, looking like they’re on their way to get jobs done. There’s the distinct, stinging scent of a blacksmith as well as cooking meat.
I keep my eyes on Elias as I help unload the wolves’ supplies and establish our camp. He speaks hastily with a few of his attendants, who rush off to complete mysterious tasks. After I have Anassa free from our travel bags, I glance back at Elias and see that one of the people he sent off is returning with a pair of fresh horses.
My curiosity flares.
I approach him with my arms crossed over my chest. “Going somewhere?”
“Davide and I will be going into town to procure additional food and supplies,” Elias answers.
“What Siphon tricks are they playing at now?” I ask Anassa.
She gives me the mental equivalent of a shrug.
“I’m sure you can understand why trust is thin among my party at present,” I tell him. “So I’d like to accompany you.” My tone makes it clear it’s not really a request.
