The Blood Forest (Tree of Ages #3)(16)
Still, he could hardly wait to reach Port Ainfean. According to the travelers they passed, the port town was yet unharmed by the Faie, or An Fiach, for that matter. In fact, little had been heard of the uniformed men since some massive battle up in the North. Few knew much about the battle, save Iseult, Maarav, and Ealasaid, who’d all been present. He had learned from Iseult that An Fiach had marched on a small settlement of refugees, led by a Reiver from the far North. The Reiver had been collecting magic users, and the initial battle had been bloody, but no one knew just what had happened since Iseult and the others left the battlegrounds behind.
Yet, that was not at the forefront of his mind. Lifting a hand to shield his eyes from the light drizzle of rain, he watched Bedelia, silently leading her horse while glancing warily at the rest of their party. Finn’s new friend, he’d learned, was the woman she’d traveled with after she’d been kidnapped . . . if being pulled through the earth by animate roots could be considered kidnapping. He found it odd that Bedelia had been readily willing to travel with Finn to Migris back then, just as he found it odd that she’d happily joined them in their travels now, claiming she was heading south, the west all the way to Sormyr. He would have to keep an eye on her. He knew what Finn, Iseult, and Anna sought was exceedingly valuable, and he would not put it past Bedelia, Maarav, or any of the others to try and steal it. A few months prior, Kai himself would have tried to steal it. Now, he wasn’t quite sure what he was doing, besides trying to help Anna. Yes, that was his primary goal, or so he kept telling himself. Risking life and limb to chase the gray shapes out of Anna’s head.
He let out a sigh of relief when the spires of Port Ainfean came into view, illuminated by large fires in the watchtowers, even during the rainy day. Hopefully there they would all find hot meals and warm beds within the port town. In the morning, they could attempt to acquire more horses, and their journey would become much easier. It was a long way between Port Ainfean and Garenoch. Horses were nearly a necessity.
Finn and Ealasaid where walking together on the other side of the road, whispering and glancing his way every so often. He had no doubt Finn was regaling the girl with the story of their last visit to Ainfean, when Finn had imbibed a bit too much, only to sneak away the next morning, leaving him behind.
Ealasaid let out a loud chuckle, probably amused at what a fool Kai was.
His mood turning sour, he picked up his pace, eager to reach Malida’s tavern where he would procure a nice dram of whiskey . . . or two.
Ealasaid laughed again.
Or three.
They eventually reached the gates and passed through unhindered, though the guards looked each of them up and down with thoroughly disapproving glares. It was well known that Port Ainfean was a den of smugglers and thieves, so the guards were more in place to keep out the Faie, or any humans who would hope to enforce the laws of the realm.
Finn surprised Kai by moving to his side as they walked down the wide dirt road, lined on either side with vendors bundled against the cold. She had her dragon once again wrapped up in her arms, covered by the cloak. She had to be rather heavy to carry that way, though at least the dragon seemed content to remain hidden, likely pleased to be so near her mother’s warmth.
“Will we be seeing Malida on this visit?” Finn questioned casually, lifting one arm from her dragon to tug her hood over her hair.
Kai raised an eyebrow at her. “I intend to see her. I didn’t know I was part of any we.”
Finn scowled at him from the shadows of her hood. “She was very kind to me, and I’d feel wrong if I did not at least stop by to offer my thanks.”
He sighed, glancing at the rest of their companions surrounding them. “I suppose that means Iseult will be coming as well.”
Finn bit her bottom lip, curled into a soft smile. “Yes, he seems reluctant to let me out of his sight.”
He snorted at the understatement. “Yes, I’m not sure if the man has even slept since we reached dry land.”
Finn laughed and nodded, eyeing a vendor’s table filled with various pies and freshly baked breads, covered with sheer cloth to keep off the road dust and occasional drizzle of rain.
“Ready for a proper meal?” he asked, not quite ready to let the semi-private conversation end.
She nodded. “Oh yes, though I’m worried about Naoki.” She glanced down at the bundle in her arms. “She’s doing quite well now, but I’m terrified of what might happen should she see something to excite her. I’ve a feeling it will not end well if she decides to burst forth in the middle of a tavern.”
“Perhaps Malida will allow us to take our meals in privacy,” Kai suggested.
Finn turned her gaze to him, her dark eyes suddenly filled with hope. “Do you think so? That would be wonderful. I’m not sure if the bounty for me still exists, but I imagine it’s best if I don’t draw attention to myself either.”
Kai’s eyes widened. He’d entirely forgotten about the bounty on her head, even though he and Anna at one point had kidnapped her in an attempt to claim it. “Yes,” he replied. “We should hurry to Malida’s.” He glanced around the street warily. “Suddenly I feel perhaps we were safer out in the wilds.”
Finn smiled, seemingly not as worried as he suddenly was, but at least she was smiling at him.
Finn exhaled in relief as they reached Malida’s tavern. She had assumed they would go around to the back entrance like they had previously, but Kai led them through the heavy wooden doors of the front entrance instead. She supposed their extra party members had something to do with it, especially Anna. Malida had made it quite clear she didn’t care for Anna.