The Blood Forest (Tree of Ages #3)(43)

While Kai and Finn discussed things privately, Iseult left the common room to tend the horses. He’d watched over them most of the night, only briefly relieved by Sativola, who seemed to not have suffered any of the negative reactions to his wounds as Kai.

It had been nearly morning by the time Sativola relieved him, and he’d gone upstairs to find Finn asleep in a chair in Kai’s room. He’d carried her to her own room, at which time she’d woken and detailed all she had experienced.

He trusted none of it. Finn believed the woman she’d encountered was her mother, but without her memories, there was no way to know for sure. The woman had previously admitted she traveled with the Cavari, and the Cavari were after Finn.

He stroked his horse’s soft muzzle as it shifted its hooves, clearly ready to get back on the road. So was he. He’d never remained in one place for long. As long as he kept moving, he felt like the ghosts of the past would never find him. A chill crept up his spine.

Now they had more reasons to keep moving than ghosts. Though Finn had easily bested the assassins, he suspected they might still follow and try again. Slàine did not seem the type to give up, and neither did Maarav.

He frowned, realizing he half-wished Maarav would follow. Here he had been ready to be rid of his brother, and now he found he almost missed him. Almost.

It made sense, he supposed. The idea of family had always appealed to him, but it was something he’d hardly known. He didn’t know what to do with the emotions it elicited.

He was saved from his own thoughts by Bedelia, the companion he questioned even more than Maarav. Her muddy brown hair, styled unusually short for a woman, framed the grim line of her mouth and her determined eyes.

He turned to face her, noting that her bow was nowhere in sight, and her hands were relaxed at her sides, not poised near the pommel of her blade.

“I have something I must tell you,” she said upon reaching him, brushing her pin-straight hair behind her ear. She wore her lightweight armor, and had her belongings slung across her shoulder, as if preparing to leave . . . though that did not make sense without her bow. Perhaps she wanted to project an air of harmlessness. He knew better.

Leaning back against the wooden poles of the stable, he gestured for her to continue.

She sighed. “This would be easier if you wouldn’t eye me so coolly.”

He crossed his arms. “It is the only way I know how to . . . eye.”

Her shoulders slumped as she looked down at her feet, then seemed to force herself to meet his gaze. She eyed him defiantly. “I wanted to say this to Finn, but I fear I am not brave enough. I know you and she are close, so I hoped you could be the judge. Tell me whether I should tell her, or tell me to leave.”

He nodded for her to go on, hiding his surprise. He knew she was hiding something, but had never suspected she’d so easily divulge her secrets.

She opened her mouth to speak, then turned her gaze as the inn door opened. Anna and Sativola hurried toward them.

“An Fiach is near,” Anna huffed. “We must depart immediately.”

“How do you know?” Bedelia gasped.

Anna glared at her, then turned her gaze to Iseult. “I just know,” she hissed. Her eyes urged him to comprehend what was unsaid. She must have experienced one of her visions. “We must leave,” she pressed. “Please trust me.”

Iseult found that against his better judgement, he did trust her. He knew she could see things others could not, and her goals were currently aligned with his. If Anna said they needed to depart, then it was wise to listen.

“Ready the horses,” he ordered, his gaze on Anna and Sativola.

“But-” Bedelia began to interrupt, but he cut her off with the raise of his hand.

“You come with me,” he instructed. “We’ll help the others gather our supplies, then we will depart.”

Bedelia’s shoulders hunched, but she nodded and followed him toward the inn, while Anna and Sativola branched off toward the horses. Iseult would get everyone moving, then he’d aid them with the saddling.

Like an angry storm, he burst through the inn’s double doors to find Finn and Kai frantically speaking with the innkeep. Anna had obviously already alerted them. Good.

He turned toward Bedelia. “Gather your weapons and check the rooms. Then return to aid Anna and Sativola with the horses.”

She nodded and rushed off toward the interior stairs. While it was against his better judgement to let her out of his sight, time was short, and he’d just keep Finn in his sights instead.

He approached the pair arguing with the innkeep, just as the stout, round-bellied man waved them off.

Finn turned to him first, while Kai watched the man walk off with a scowl.

“He won’t allow us to purchase any extra supplies,” Finn huffed.

“We’ll make do,” Iseult replied. “Anna and Sativola are readying the horses. Gather your belongings.”

Finally turning to join the conversation, Kai gestured at a few satchels and bundled cloaks piled against the lower portion of the bar. “Already done. Anna seemed to think we don’t have much time.”

Iseult’s shoulders relaxed. It was . . . pleasant to travel with competent companions. “Let us depart then.”

Thundering footsteps above them announced Bedelia a moment before she appeared on the stairs, her cloak flowing behind her shoulders. Her satchels were still slung across one shoulder, along with her bow and quiver. Her sword hilt poked up over her opposite shoulder, the silver knob on its pommel matching the dagger at her waist.