Ever the Brave (A Clash of Kingdoms Novel)(82)

“We need to get out of here as soon as possible.” I push myself to sit up. Agony bursts through my arms. Bloody useless arms.

“And how are you going to do that?” Leif crosses his arms. I want to punch the smart look right off his face.

“We need to find out what happened.”

“I can ride out today,” he says. “I just . . . if what they’re saying is true, I don’t want to charge into Neart alone. It’d be smarter to wait and see what the Guild can do for Captain Omar.”

If it were me, I’d leave this instant, no matter the danger that lies ahead. I tell him this.

“Yeah, well, Britta’s always saying you get yourself into unnecessary trouble. You’re too reckless.”

Mention of Britta hits me in the chest.

“Look, I can see you’re worried for her.” Understatement. “I’m worried too. But she’s a survivor. Let the Guild women heal Omar. Then we’ll decide what to do.”

I don’t like that we’re not moving on quicker. But I’m not in shape to push my will on this matter.

Leif’s right about one thing. Britta is a survivor.



When Katallia said the Guild would be coming to the house to help Captain Omar, I imagined she meant more than three women. They arrive one at a time, their arrivals spaced out, no doubt, for precaution.

The first is a petite slip of a woman, less threatening than a field rabbit. She flits into the room, bringing in a big blast of winter air before she shuts the door.

“Torima, an expert water Channeler,” Katallia says, introducing her.

A wide smile pushes Torima’s sun-weathered skin into lines that frame her mouth. Like Katallia, the sandy-haired woman seems a few years younger than my mother.

The second is Yasmin. Wise eyes and skin like terra cotta. Makes me think of the great cedars that hunker in Shaerdan’s dry lands, refuges from the blazing heat. “A gifted earth Channeler,” Katallia says of the older woman.

An hour after the first two show up, a third enters the home. No knock beforehand. Her skin is as dark as night. Her eyes shrewd and cold as flint. Snow drifts inside on her heels, but melts before it touches her skin.

“Seeva, welcome.” Katallia rushes to greet her, nearly turning over the table where I’ve been biding the time by playing cards with Leif and Lirra. Lirra is on her feet in a heartbeat, straightening her tunic.

“Seeva Soliel, the fire Channeler,” Katallia says, with a touch of reverence.

This must be the mother of Rhea, the girl we saved from Lord Conklin and delivered to Jacinda.

The other women, who’ve gone off into other parts of the home, return. Yasmin first. She greets the women nonverbally and takes a seat beside me. Torima follows, flitting to embrace the newcomer.

“Thank you for coming,” Lirra says. “I fear the captain will not make it another night.”

Seeva’s mouth pinches. “Then perhaps its best that he dies.”

I sit up, on the defense. “What’s this about?” My gaze kicks from the fire Channeler to Katallia. “I thought you said they’d help.” Why are we still waiting at this home if they’re not going to assist? We should be on our way to Brentyn.

“Cohen,” Leif warns.

Seeva’s gaze hones in on me. “Ah, you must be the honored bounty hunter.” Her assessment drips with disdain, turning my usually respected title into an insult. “Perhaps you think we’ll cower to you because you know what we are? That we’ll jump to your aid?”

“Not what I said,” I argue.

“Perhaps you shouldn’t talk,” Leif says out of the corner of his mouth, always acting the part of the tamed bear.

Lirra’s fingers dig into my arm. “Don’t be a fool.”

I scoot away from her. Jacinda must not have told this woman who saved her daughter. I doubt she’d be talking to us like this if she knew. “Look, I agreed to keep all of your secrets—”

“The girl’s right—you are a fool,” Seeva sneers at me, her hand rising in front of her. A ball of fire hovers above her palm. “You’re not helping us, hunter. We could destroy you and your broken captain,” she snaps, and the flame zips out, “like that. You’ve no leg to stand on. Not when Malam’s castle has been taken and your king is probably dead.”

Her words give me pause. What does she know of King Aodren? I stand, frustration rolling off me like steam. “I’ve helped you plenty.”

Before I can finish, Katallia steps between us, arms raised. “We’ve agreed to not make rash judgments. Let us help the captain, and then we’ll discuss what you can do for us.”

Despite last night’s temperature drop, the room grows warm from all the bodies and the fire. I fan myself while the ladies chat.

“Let me remind you that, last we met, we discussed an alliance.” Katallia turns to Seeva. “There is no one better to have supporting our plight than the captain of the guard and the king’s bounty hunter. Especially if the country is in turmoil.”

The fire Channeler’s eyes flick to me. Sweat beads at my temples.

“They’ve been our enemy for eighteen years,” Seeva says. “I don’t trust a single man from Malam.”

“The hunter is a sympathizer. I can see he respects our magic. Perhaps an alliance with him would be beneficial.” This comes from Yasmin. Finally a voice of reason.