Chapter 3
Elva
The putrid smell of the bubbling, thick brown sludge overpowered even the flowers surrounding our camp.
We rode hard the entire day yesterday, so that we could make it to Tyndorf by nightfall tonight.
Along the way, we’d collected as many walnuts as possible, and once we’d filled the bag, we stopped to make the dye we needed for my and Leifur’s hair.
Sindri was happy to assist in applying the mixture, but always avoided helping make it, so Leifur and I had done all the dirty work.
Using our siren claws, we shredded the thick green walnut husks and filled our pot to the brim before adding water to cook everything.
I disliked releasing my claws, but they made quick work of the husks. With the adrenaline rush of a battle, I never noticed the stinging when my fingertips grew out into thick talons that could cut through tree branches or bone. But any other time, it stung like being stabbed.
After the sludge was cool, I covered Leifur’s hair with enough to take his bright blue down to a darker shade.
Then, with my knees pulled up to my chin, I sat while my brother and brother-in-law applied the paste to my hair and bottled up the remainder.
The paste would dry on my head and fall off as we rode.
Then, for the rest of the day and into tomorrow, my blue and green tresses would be dark walnut brown, and I could blend in with the other women in Tyndorf.
Leifur’s color would last longer since his hair wasn’t tied to his powers the way mine was.
“Have you ever traveled to Tyndorf before?” Leifur asked as we neared the city walls. Unlike the smaller towns that built their ramparts out of tree logs, Tyndorf's city wall was constructed from stone.
“Once, when I was young and traveling with the siren warriors, back when they still allowed me to train.”
“What’s it like?” Sindri asked.
“It's like the other towns and villages we’ve been through, but much larger,” I replied. “The king was already insane when we came back then, so I don’t think he’ll be any better now. But his children are only half-human, so I’m hoping he’ll let us buy some land and hide here.”
“You think he’ll have sympathy for us?” Leifur asked.
“Probably not, but we might be of value to him in some other way. Rather than finding one wife to marry like most humans, he spent a year traveling around and mated with every female of various species he could find. He ended up with a collection of children who are all half-something non-human.”
“I remember those rumors.” Sindri rode the stallion up beside me, eager to hear the tale. “Do you know what they are?”
“If I recall, his oldest son is half-werewolf, and his oldest daughter is half-sorceress. Another was something like a centaur or satyr, and the rest I can’t remember.”
“A half-werewolf?” Leifur snickered. “Do you think he got her pregnant while she was in wolf form to help him get the werewolf son?”
Sindri and I laughed before he added, “If he did, I hope she clawed him viciously.”
“It would have served him right,” I continued. “I remember the older warriors saying how horribly he treated the women and how at least one woman and child died. He wanted a siren too, but never managed to capture one.”
“Naturally. Sirens, dire wolves, and gryphons are the scariest creatures, after the dragons,” Sindri said, hissing softly as he let his siren fangs slip free, sharp and glinting in the dim light.
Leifur nodded. “I’d add minotaurs to that list. They don’t look scary, but their extreme strength and bad tempers make them terrifying in my book.”
I cocked my head to the side and examined my brother-in-law. “I’ll accept that addition.”
The boys chucked, but I turned my gaze back toward the rampart and inhaled deeply.
The faintest hint of walnut lingered in the air amid the scent of the forest. Spring in the Forest of Endilaus was always full of floral scents mixed with some musty smells from the fresh earth, and depending on where you were, occasional hints of animal territorial markings. And now, salt.
“Remember, we’re nearing the Sieden sea,” Leifur said. “That means we’re back in kelpie territory. I know they prefer to go after humans, but they won’t hesitate to trick us if they get the chance.”
Sindri rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to be tricked by a stupid water horse. We all learned as younglings to never get on the back of any wild horse we run across.”
Leifur tightened his hold on Sindri, pulling him closer and pressing a quick kiss to his neck.
“I’m glad to hear it,” I said. “I would have half expected you to think you could charm one.”
Sindri smirked. “My charms don't work on any other creatures, but I've always wondered if your song could.”
“I have no intention of ever finding out.”
“You spoil all my fun.”
I veered my horse toward Sindri and punched him squarely in the leg. He moved to retaliate, but Leifur's grip on him was firm.
“Enough, children.” Leifur teased.
“You need to learn to respect your elders,” Sindri snapped.
“You’re six minutes older. I’m not respecting you for that.”
“It’s at least an hour, and you know it.”
“How much money do we have?” Leifur asked, clearly trying to break up the childish bickering that my twin and I were known for.
“I have some silver coins, a bit of copper, and a few of the pearls from what we brought,” I replied, adjusting my hands on the reins.
Sindri snickered, waving a small velvet pouch in the air. “I've got gold and gems, thanks to my new friend.”
“That should get us some rooms at an inn close to the castle—” Leifur started.
“No,” I said. “We should stay close to the rampart. I know you want to stay somewhere nicer, but we need to keep a low profile. Their royals may be half-human, but that doesn’t tell us how the people will react to sirens. I’m not taking any risks until we get a feel for the place.”
“Leifur’s hair will give us away even if yours doesn’t,” Sindri said. From the tone of his voice, he wasn’t thrilled with my insisting we stay at the cheaper inns.
“No one cares about a male siren, and you know it,” I snapped. “Mortal men aren’t worried about you having control over women. What they fear is losing control of themselves.”
“Admit it,” Sindri said. “You’re hoping to find information on Aamon, and you’ll only be able to if we stay with the thieves and lowlifes. There’s nothing wrong with trying to enjoy ourselves once in a while.”
My glare could have frozen fire, but Sindri was already pushing his horse away from me. “It worked before,” I muttered to myself.
“Elva, look at this,” Leifur called from up the road. He was standing with a small group of peasants, examining a poster nailed to a wooden board. It announced a royal tournament in Tyndorf to celebrate the princess’ wedding.
Sindri read aloud as we approached: “There will be generous prizes of gold, jewels, knighthoods, and other titles.”
Leifur and I shared a look of excitement. His blacksmithing skills were unmatched, even in the Siren Kingdom. And I remembered from my trip to the mortal kingdoms years ago that human knights fought differently from siren warriors. I hoped it would give me an edge if there was a dagger contest.
Sindri chuckled. “Regardless of whether you win, there'll be a lot of wealthy noble women for me to woo.”
“Just don't make a mess of it this time,” I warned.
“Same for you, dear sister,” Sindri said, smirking. He leaned closer to me as another wagon passed us. “After you fumbled your last male, you better pick one who can get the job done at the inn tonight.”
“You can stop counting my cycle, Sindri.”
“No, I can’t. You’re on day twenty-six, and that last time you hit day thirty, it took you and Leifur a month to look at each other again.”
I shot him a warning glance, but he continued, elbowing his husband. “Right, Leifur? Didn't you say you had to tie her down to keep her from clawing your face off?”
“Enough!” Leifur barked, his patience fraying.
Sindri crossed his arms, sulking. “It's been a boring month for me.”
“That won’t be a problem now. With a tournament happening,” Leifur said, “Elva will have her pick of men, and maybe even non-mortals. They're always up for a good time.”
I tuned out their relaxed teasing and focused on the city walls as we approached. They were built from the rocks that littered the shores of the Sieden Sea. The limestone was pale and weathered, cloaked in moss and ivy that crawled so high I had to crane my neck to see their tops.
When we rounded the road that led towards the gate, we saw a group of guards interrogating everyone who sought entry.
My brother noticed them too, and when he glanced at me, I gave him a reassuring nod, while biting my lip so hard I almost drew blood.
Sindri may be the older twin, but I was the stronger one.
I'd insisted we prepare for this moment earlier, but nerves still gnawed at me. Please don't let him mess this up.
Leifur slid off his horse and climbed behind me. Since Sindri always dressed the best of the three of us, he would play the role of the Lord, giving us a chance we’d get in without being searched or harassed.
Making my horse trot slowly, I studied the three guards.
Each wore the traditional black Tyndorf armor, with a broad chest plate, and interconnected bits of metal attached to the sleeves all the way from the shoulder to the wrists.
But as they moved, the slips of metal rattled, betraying the fact that the shirts were obviously too large for them.
They weren't very important or of high rank.
Typical mortal men, using their position to bully the poor peasants trying to enter the city.
The smallest guard was shouting at an older man on the wagon ahead of us when the larger man turned our way. A wicked grin spread across his face as he slapped his companion on the shoulder. Their eyes lingered on me as the third guard waved the wagon through dismissively.
“Let me handle this,” Sindri whispered and urged his stallion forward. “Good day, knights of Tyndorf. We've come to witness your tournament. We’ve heard of it from the Nordlic Sea and couldn’t possibly miss it. Tell me, what events will you be taking part in?”
The lowly guards puffed out their chests and strutted up to Sindri. They leaned in and whispered something that made Sindri laugh much louder than was necessary. The largest guard kept glancing at me.
“Not him,” I murmured through gritted teeth. Leifur wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close as he shot the man a warning glare. The guard grunted and returned his attention to my brother and his elaborate story.
We were only stopped for around a minute, but it felt more like an hour. After their laughter faded, Sindri pressed a gold coin into each guard's hand, and they waved us through. Still, I could feel their eyes linger on us until we were through the gate and out of sight.
Once safe, Leifur guided his horse beside Sindri. “What did you say to them?”
“I asked if women could compete, and told them my sister here is quite good with a sword.”
My hands tightened on the reins, pulling them away from Leifur. “So that’s funny to you?”
“Not to me, but it amused them. They’ve never seen a warrior of your caliber. And it bodes well for us. If the others in town feel the same, then betting on you to win should pay out extremely well, assuming they have an event with daggers.”
“Are you ever not plotting?” I asked.
“Nope, never!. And that's what you both love about me. The big oaf said the best inn to find some fun is just down these two smaller roads. It’s called the Pirate’s Booty.”