The Silver Siren (Iron Butterfly, #3)(38)

Travelling was simple for me because I didn’t have anything that I needed brought home.

Syrani, on the other hand, had two wagons filled with cargo. Even all the way at the back, I could hear her shrill voice yelling at the wagon driver to be careful and go around the pothole. I grimaced, feeling bad for the man. When I realized it was Donn, I was both surprised and excited he’d been assigned to come as well.

For four days we traveled, and for four days I barely saw or spoke with Kael. We made it to the home of Pan and dropped him off with his welcoming but anxious family. It was bittersweet to watch his mother and father worry over him. We got back on the road headed west, toward young Brecken’s home.

Later that evening, the wagons were pulled into a circle, just like every other night. Donn went to work with a few of his kitchen staff to prepare the evening meal around the central fire. Other smaller fires were started closer to each of the wagons. There were a total of ten wagons, fifteen students, not including Joss and me, six servants and twenty guards. We were quite a large group to feed on the road, but Donn and his team put out a wonderful spread.

It was a warm meal of soup and fresh pheasant shot down by a guard earlier that morning. Donn even brought a barrel of cider and warmed it up for us on the chilly night. At first it was quiet as everyone was eating, but soon it became louder as trepidation dropped and a sense of security set in. To most of the Denai students, this felt like an adventure. Someone started to sing, and then others joined in. Soon even Donn was bellowing a song about lost love in his deep baritone.

I didn’t join in the festivities. I couldn’t. I was too busy thinking of what I was going to tell my father. A shadow fell over my shoulder and Hemi lumbered down to sit by me, placing his large axe by his right knee. I turned and studied him, realizing I hadn’t given him much thought lately. I’d been buried in my own problems. He had come bearing two cups of cider and handed one to me. He took a long drink and licked his lips and sighed.

“You miss home?” I asked.

He stroked his long red beard before answering. “Yes, I will be happy to be back to my own home, but I fear that it will feel very empty.”

“Do you love her?”

Hemi started to gasp and sputter like he was choking. His face turned a deep red and he started to mumble.

“So bring her home with you. Marry Fanny. Who cares that she is a Denai?”

Hemi didn’t even argue with me about him wanting to marry her. “I don’t think she would be happy there. Even if she could pretend not to be a Denai, she would always be inventing things, creating things, people would call her names because they wouldn’t understand her. Our clan would ostracize her for being different. It happened before with your mother. I wouldn’t want to repeat it with Fanny.” I watched the great bear of a man groan and stretch out his arms. He downed the last drops of his drink, so I handed my untouched cider to him. His smile widened and he soon polished off mine.

“Does she love you?” The sputtering occurred again from Hemi. I took it for a possible yes. “Then leave the clan and marry her. Live in Skyfell.”

“And betray your father? I can’t. I won’t. Don’t ever speak of it again.” He stood up and grabbed his large axe and walked away.

I had upset him. I knew that this was going to be a very long trip, even longer because we were only going to our second drop off tomorrow.

High-pitched laughter came from over by the nearest fire. It was Syrani, laughing at something Joss had said. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of disgust at her.

I pulled out my bedroll, laid it out under the wagon, and tuckered down for the night. Someone came by and whispered my name. It sounded like Donn but I ignored him. I just wished to be done with everyone. I had failed, and I wanted, I wanted…I didn’t know what I wanted.

So you don’t feel like talking?

No, I don’t feel like talking, even to you.

My…aren’t we moody?

Of course, I’m moody. Queen Lilyana sent me home! She didn’t ask if I wanted to leave, but she commanded that I go home. I feel unimportant.

Nonsense, I don’t think that was really the reason she sent you.

I couldn’t possibly think of any other reason.

I’m sure you could think of one, if you tried.

Gah! I mentally screamed at Faraway. I’m done. Goodnight.

I pulled my blanket over my head and watched Joss and Kael talking across the camp. I could see Joss shaking his head angrily and Kael, arms crossed, standing firm. Finally, Joss threw his arms up in the air and stormed away. Kael watched Joss’s retreating back and then he turned and stared at my makeshift bedding arrangement. I wasn’t sure, but I thought I saw his shoulders shake with laughter. I pulled the blanket even tighter over my head and completely blocked the sound of the camp.

I lay awake for hours under the wagon. I listened to servants gently admonish their wards to get ready for sleep. The wagon above me shifted and groaned as two students moved their luggage around and made beds in the back. I could hear them giggling as they hefted what sounded like a large waxed tarp above them. I could feel the pull of power as another Denai used his gifts.

Opening my senses, I let myself see the glows and threads of power being manipulated by the Denai. I marveled at how much I was able to do now, but couldn’t months ago. I recognized the one using his gifts. It was Tydus, the Denai who had sat next to me to record the council session last season. The session during which the Valderstal clan came to find me.