“It’s Robin. None taken.”
“I am not so naïve as to think this escape was planned around me,” Neven said, turning his attention back to Sol.
“Your assumption would be correct,” Sol responded. “But I am glad that my plan could benefit you nonetheless.”
Neven nodded.
“Come, let us eat,” Robin said, seating herself around the fire.
Sol instinctively walked to the other side of the fire so he could keep an eye on the area behind his companion’s backs.
“Ulli, Nele,” Robin said, indicating the two men already seated. “Sol. Neven.”
Sol nodded a greeting as Ulli handed him a sharp stick loaded with crispy chunks of roasted meat. His stomach grumbled in anticipation, and he breathed gently on the still steaming food.
“And you are?” Neven directed his question to Robin.
“A member of River’s Talon,” she replied, casually.
Sol noted that she did not introduce herself as the leader of River’s Talon, but he did not press the matter. She could present herself as she pleased.
Neven’s eyes went wide, and he blinked rapidly, dipping awkwardly into a bow from his seated position. “My life is at your service. And not just because I owe it to you.”
Robin shook her head. “Sol is the one who risked his life to save you. My team merely created a distraction.”
Neven turned back to Sol. “How did you access your magic?”
Sol tugged the counterfeit gem from his neck. “It was a fake.”
“This entire time?” Neven asked in disbelief.
Sol nodded. He wanted to toss the gem deep into the forest, never to be seen again. But life had taught him to waste not. He shoved the gem into his pocket, out of sight.
Neven smiled, relaxing back onto his wooden stool as though he felt safe for the first time. “What is next? Can I aid you?” Neven turned back to Sol.
“Perhaps,” Sol replied, looking at his companion more closely than he ever had. Only four people in the world knew his plan, and one of them was Robin. It wasn’t that he didn’ttrust Neven, he just wasn’t about to share every detail with a near stranger. Even if he and that stranger had endured a grueling six weeks of captivity together. “My plan is to strike Gareth at the root of his power, creating a drawback that might give someone else a chance to win against him.”
Neven looked up. His mouth was full, but he had stopped chewing. After a lengthy pause, he swallowed heavily. “I would say you were mad, but I’ve already said that. And I would say it’s impossible, but somehow I’m here and not on my way to Chendas. So I suppose I shall say nothing at all.” He took another bite from his skewer.
Sol turned back to Robin. “You wrote that you could provide weapons and food for the next length of my journey?”
“Of course,” Robin said. “But we have time for all that. Eat.”
“I intend to leave before the night has set,” Sol replied. He took a large bite of meat. He needed to eat so he could finish preparing for the next part of the journey.
“You are exhausted. Surely you can rest for a few days,” Robin said.
“We are already short on time,” Sol spoke over the food in his mouth. “And I cannot endanger you by staying any longer. They will be searching this place.”
Robin raised her eyebrows. “No one can find this place.”
Sol pursed his lips. His eyes darted around the peaceful glade, but he held back any words of criticism. Robin had aided him at a peril to herself and it was not his responsibility to tell her how to manage her home and people.
She smiled at him condescendingly, as though she could read the thoughts in his mind.
“Except, perhaps,” Neven interjected, continuing his previous line of thought and drawing Sol’s surprised attention. “I would say one thing more. I wish you luck, Sol. And if I may aid you, tell me and I will do so.”
“My thanks,” Sol replied. He had no grand illusion of even surviving his quest. “Stay here with the River’s Talon and regain your strength.”
