Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1)(55)

“Ah.” Her brilliant blue eyes soften into a sympathetic look. “You’ve been through a lot. Your father’s death. And now this trek through Shaerdan.”

I say nothing, letting her make her own judgments.

“Come, then.” She raises one basket. “I could use your help. I’m short on dried herbs. And the storm’s likely blown down seeds and bark gnarls. Wouldn’t mind gathering some of those; then I don’t have to climb for them later.”

“Do I need my bow?”

Her head tips to the left. “Not likely, but it’s always good to be prepared. Why?”

“The last time we were in the woods together, you used me for target practice.” I smirk. “Just wondering if I should be ready for that.”

She barks out a laugh. “Does that wit ever get you in trouble back home?”

“More than I’d like to admit.”

“Hmm . . . to keep you on your toes, I’ll grab my bow before we head out.”

This time I laugh. Enat is exactly what I need to take my mind off Cohen.

“Are the clouds often this low?” I ask as I follow her.

“This?” She points at the mist, parting around our knees. “This is the morning fog. It comes in and leaves again by noon.”

“I didn’t notice it the other day.”

“We don’t get fog every day, but enough to keep the trees happy. It keeps them strong. They are ancient, you know.”

I nod my head. “I’ve never seen anything like them.”

“Some say they’re the first trees the gods planted for us. That’s why they are strong and resilient. Even fire has little effect on these beauties.”

It seems appropriate that Enat lives here. I don’t know much about her, but I think about how she’s able to protect herself and how she is the person Papa turned to for help. She’s like the trees, strong and resilient.

We spend a couple hours gathering herbs and seeds before returning to the cottage and laying them out to dry. Enat takes the two bark gnarls and breaks them in half. She whittles the centers with her blade until she has a pile of wood grindings.

“What’s that for?” I ask.

“The inside of the gnarls can be used for many purposes, a pinch to sweeten tea or even to put out a fire, since the trees are resistant to flame.”

“Is that what you’re going to use it for?”

She pauses, looking at me reflectively. “No. The grindings of a bark gnarl along with a pinch of chiandra can also be used to slow a person’s heart.”

My hands stop over the split chiandra that I’ve been placing on a board to bake in the sun. “And why would you need to do that?”

My question goes unanswered as thumping hooves echo through the trees. My heart’s rhythm scrambles to match the beat at knowing Cohen is near. I almost feel a pull toward him. His kiss will likely never leave my thoughts.

Cohen and Siron come barreling into the clearing in front of Enat’s home. At the sight, a fluttery sensation dances from my shoulders to my shins.

“The guards are in the village.” Cohen hops off Siron. “They’re still posing as Shaerdanian soldiers, and they’ve spread word that two Malam fugitives are hiding there. They’ve placed a bounty of a year’s wages on our heads.”





Chapter

24


“WHO KNOWS YOU’RE HERE?” Enat appears at my side with a bow in hand.

“I spoke only with Delmar.” Cohen shoves a hand through his hair. “He knew I was headed here, but he’d never betray my trust. The only other person is the woman Britta spoke to at the Elementiary. Is she trustworthy?”

Enat relaxes. “If that’s all, then you’re safe here. No one can enter my land without a counter-charm. Astoria can be a gossip, but she’s loyal to the kinsmen and judge of Celize. She’d never betray me to royal guards from Malam. And Delmar would never betray a trust.”

“The guards can be persuasive.” I try to make my point without questioning her judgment outright. “If Astoria’s already known as a gossip, she’d be an easy target for them.”

“She won’t talk.” There is finality in Enat’s tone. “This isn’t the first time someone’s come knocking on her door looking for me. Channelers have an understanding. We don’t cause one another harm, and we don’t put each other in harm’s way.”

“Even if they’re not going to talk to the guards, there’s a chance someone else noticed us.” Papa taught me to always be prepared. Though we were careful, we’re still putting her in danger. She must see that. “Anyone could’ve seen the direction we were headed. Not all the kinsmen will be loyal. We’ve already been ousted by a kinsman from Padrin.”

“That’s true, but since leaving Padrin, we’ve been cautious.” Cohen looks at me and then turns to Enat. “Celize was empty when we left, and we didn’t cross anyone on the road. I doubt we were seen.”

“We cannot assume that,” I say. “Our only defense is to act as though we’ve been noticed and prepare accordingly.”

Enat scoops up the drying chiandra and puts the seeds into her basket. “Even if someone saw you, it’s difficult to travel through these woods. You’re safest here. But you should probably stay away from Celize for the next few days until your guards move on. Although most men are loyal to Judge Auberdeen, there are a few who haven’t been happy with his decisions.”