Chapter 8 #2
Rynna fell in behind, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the narrow rock walls as they descended the first step ladder. Morning light skimmed the edge of the crevasse above, casting long shadows down the terraced stone structures that made up the mountain village.
“So…” Rynna watched the boy disappear down the next turn. “Any sign of whoever attacked us?”
Mira’s eyes flicked to her, sharp for just a moment, calculating, but her expression smoothed quickly into something unreadable. She’d been suspiciously tight-lipped since interrogating Kaelith that night over a month ago.
“No,” the woman said finally, brows drawing together as she followed the boy’s path. “We’re hoping it was a random encounter. Explorers who wandered too close to the border. And that your…aggressive response prevented any further exposure.”
Rynna winced inwardly. She wasn’t sorry for her actions, but she had made a mess of it.
Literally. Despite that, though, her instincts were screaming that whatever that group was, they hadn't stumbled on this place by accident. But Mira didn’t comment further.
She simply passed a warm, leaf-wrapped breakfast roll to a nearby villager as they moved toward the next ladder.
“It would’ve been helpful to have a live prisoner to confirm the theory, though.”
“Right.” Her attention drifted over the lower levels where the morning haze clung to rooftops and villagers began to stir, stretching limbs and lighting fires. “Sorry about that.”
“What’s done is done.” Mira was already descending the next ladder. “We’ve increased Watch patrols and added new posts regardless.”
Rynna paused at the top of the ladder, fingers flexing on the rung. The village clearly valued its secrecy, but that didn’t mean she could stop wondering.
Her voice dropped a little. “What was behind that boulder, anyway?”
Kaelith had known more than he’d let on. He had not ended up there by accident. That much was obvious.
Rynna’s fists flexed at her sides.
And the bastard had yet to loop her in.
Trust goes both ways. The growl of frustration in her mind rose, only to be cut off by Mira’s voice.
“That is not for you to know, Rynna.”
“Right.” Rynna ducked under the outstretched pole of a passing man carrying two sloshing pails of water, the wooden yoke balanced across his shoulders. She turned back toward Mira with a thin, bitter exhale.
So, no trust there either, apparently.
A quiet beat passed as they wound further down the path, carved directly into the mountain wall. Below, the sounds of morning drifted up—conversation, clanking tools, laughter.
From ahead, Ben darted back to Mira’s side, rummaged into the bag slung over her shoulder, and snatched up an armful of wrapped food bundles. Then, with exaggerated flourish, he bounded forward again, handing them out to passersby like a noble distributing alms—head held high, grin wide.
Mira glanced sideways, her mouth tugging in something close to amusement. “You might be interested in what the Grannies have planned for the Hollow-born today.”
Rynna stepped faster, catching up. “Please tell me it’s torturous.”
Mira exhaled a long-suffering sigh, but Rynna caught the glint in her eye before she did it.
“I suppose that depends on your definition.”
Rynna fought the grin bubbling in her throat, waving her hand in a go-on motion. “I’m listening.”
“They need to replenish their clean water supply.”
Rynna blinked. “Sounds annoying, but not exactly cruel.” Her mind flicked back to the man with the buckets. “Heavy, maybe.”
Mira’s smile turned razor-thin. “The water can only be transported with a sanctified stone bowl.”
Rynna narrowed her eyes. “Okay…really annoying.”
“And,” Mira continued smoothly, “the sacred water must be collected from the spring at the top of the mountain.”
Rynna tilted her head back, following Mira’s upward glance. The sun had risen higher now, streaking gold along the jagged ridgelines above. She squinted, calculating the hike, the elevation, the terrain.
Laughter bubbled within her. “And how many trips would you say are required?”
“Many.” Mira’s voice was flat, but her eyes sparkled. “Many, many trips. With a single, palm-sized stone bowl.”
Rynna stopped in her tracks, mouth slack as she stared at the woman who turned back just long enough to toss her long red hair over one shoulder and flash her a smug, absolutely unrepentant smile..
“He is going to hate that,” Rynna whispered, eyes wide.
“I know,” Mira said sweetly, cocking a hip before resuming her casual descent.
“Oh, my stars.” Rynna burst into laughter, one hand bracing on her knee as she bent slightly forward, the other wiping at tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. “You’re positively evil, woman.” She tilted her head back, cackling. “I fucking love it.”
Mira chuckled, her steps slow but sure as she continued down the path.
“Now.” She glanced back over her shoulder, tone returning to something measured and expectant. “Tell me how my son has been progressing.”
Rynna straightened, her smile lingering as the laughter faded Then, she fell into step beside Mira, knowing the real tests of the day were only just beginning. At least for Kaelith.