How things would have been different back home if it were to rain like that there.
Lightning flashed once more, allowing me a flickering glimpse of Marshen’s profile. He stood at my side, watching it pour.
“Are you all right?” I asked. “You seem…preoccupied.”
“I’m fine. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Uh…you getting executed?
“Listen, if you want to go back, I can tell King Ryvar myself. I’ll tell him that you found them,” I assured him, my voice low.
“Go back? Go back where exactly? I’d rather die than spend the rest of my life chasing ghosts.”
“You can stay here in Sijar, and I’ll come back for you once I arrange things. I’ll bargain with King Ryvar for your freedom. I pro—”
“We’re going together. I’m not sitting out my only shot.”
I gave him a reluctant nod.
“Delia, I—I have to tell you someth—”
“Sylva pluck me, will you two shut up?” Vinnie snapped. “And turn that goddessdamned thing off, the lightning’s already enough as it is.”
Marshen made to move but I yanked his elbow.
“What?” I whispered.
“Never mind, it’s not important. Let’s get some rest.”
When morning came it was still raining, and it rained still the next morning, too. Our mares weren’t very keen on travelling in the unyielding downpour. I reached into my inner breast pocket, meaning to take out my compass, but I took out Aegir’sby mistake. I brushed its golden casing and opened it. The dial read northeast.
Huh?
I replaced his with mine and opened that one, too. It also read northeast. It probably regained its function after drying. Thank the gods. I vividly imagined Aegir returning to his room after the conceiving ritual only to find an empty desk. I gave a small shiver.
“You still don’t trust our senses?” Braun asked, closing his mare in on mine.
“Oh no, I just wanted to check that they still worked,” I replied, straining my vocal cords against the rushing rain.
“Smart answer.” I gave him a small smile. “Look over there,” Braun said, pointing west and up.
I pulled my hood away to get a better view. Beyond the glistening forest and a foggy sky, I could still make out the shape of it. The castle of Eldervynn stood tall on the top of a mountain-like ridge. For a second, I felt like I commanded the clouds, as when I wished for clearer visibility, they drifted out of the way, allowing me a better view of the castle. Its walls shimmered in silver, the rooftops green. From afar, I could still make out the connection of bridges that spanned around the castle walls.
“Does that mean there are villages nearby?” I asked.
“Oh, yes. We’re in the region between Eldervynn and Florentine. There are plenty of villages here.”
“And we’re heading towards one of those, right?” Despite admiring the lush blessings of Sylva, the thought of a lit hearth and a warm bath made my toes curl.
“We were actually thinking of setting up camp in caves nearby, they’re—”
“We’ll do no such thing. We’ll be sleeping at an inn tonight. My treat.”
“I won’t argue with that,” Vinnie replied to my left.
So even the Strongmen of Sijar liked sleeping indoors, nuzzled in a comfy bed.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I grunted the second I entered my room. The gods must have decided to play a cruel joke on me, Sylva especially. She was Aegir’s goddess after all. The theme of the room I was shown to wasDionaea muscipula, commonly known as the Venus flytrap. I could count at least a dozen decorated pots. I shook my head with pursed lips before removing my dripping coat.
