Page 126 of The Boy Bride

The men behind Vanu began crashing through the undergrowth. Another arrow thunked in a tree.

Tirtu took matters into his own hands: “Yes! We’re Lord Arakhu’s men just like you!”

“What?” the leader of the men behind them roared. “We’re not Arakhu’s men! After them! It’s more of the raiders!”

Vanu stopped in his tracks. Ahead of him, Padunu had gained the trail. Halza and Tirtu were stumbling after him.

“What about the traitor whore?” one of the men behind Vanu demanded.

“Leave her!” the leader shouted. “She’s⁠—”

Vanu turned, and the man’s voice broke off. He reeled to a halt, finding himself faced with Vanu’s sword.

It was a challenge to fight in the thick of the forest, sure. But if it was hard for Vanu, it was much harder for his opponents. It always was.

Chapter 34

Trust Me

Lill found Otoni right where he had expected to find her, crouched by a rock just beyond the edge of the clearing, where she’d had a direct shot at the men leaving her house. What he hadn’t expected was that there would be someone with her. In the flickering light from the burning house, he could make out a very small figure huddled next to her, clutching a quiver with a few arrows still in it. Her child, of course.

“It’s the mothers when they’re protecting their babies who’re the most dangerous.” That was something Deru from the Order had said about bears, but Lill figured it also applied to human mothers, especially ones who were skilled archers.

He ducked behind another boulder and risked calling softly: “Otoni! Over here. I’m a friend of Khatu and Barda.”

There was a moment of tense silence before he heard a reply.

“Khatu and Barda? Where do you come from?”

“Umtúshta.”

He glanced behind him. The clearing was empty, and the fire was beginning to devour the thatched roof of the house. He heard whispering as the child asked something and the mother replied. He was anxious to get away, and they must be too; but he didn’t want them to take off in the opposite direction.

“I’m coming out from behind this rock,” Lill called.

He unsheathed his sword and tossed it out first. He needed them to trust him, and he could use his non-threatening appearance to his advantage. He stepped out from his hiding place.

“He’s little!” a child’s voice rang out like a bell.

“Shh!” said the mother.

They came out from behind their own boulder then—rashly, Lill thought. Otoni should at least have held her bow aimed at him instead of loose by her side. He might look harmless, but he wasn’t.

“Did Barda send you?” she asked.

“Yes. He made it up to the stronghold, but he hurt his ankle and couldn’t come back with us.”

“So were they telling the truth? Khatu and Barda. They really are guarding Umtúshta? Or … ”

“No, they live in Umtúshta. They’re Lord Faru Gukhártu’s sons.”

Otoni gasped. “Earth’s heart. I didn’t think of that.”

Lill retrieved his sword, sheathed it, and gestured for her to come with him. Otoni picked up her daughter and followed close behind him, treading as noiselessly as if she were stalking prey.

“Where are we going?” she asked in a whisper.

“We’re rejoining the rest of my party.”