Chapter 32
Following Ryfin and Caene back to the main hub of the camp, I absorb the sights and sounds surrounding me.
There’s children laughing and shouting in play.
Adults chattering outside their tents and around smaller fires while they go about their work for the day.
Some look as though they’re mending clothes or tents while others are cleaning fresh kills.
There’s no distinction in chores based on gender like there would be back home.
Men sew and women butcher. Older children run around helping their families and their community.
Chickens run around unpenned. The people here are dirty, like the young girl and her companions the night before last, but most appear well-fed and in good health.
I’m beginning to understand why people choose this life.
In the Rookery, you would never find neighbors conversing outside their homes.
At least, not in a friendly manner. Everything comes at a price, even kindness.
And children playing outside, laughing, being children?
That is a rarity back home. The Rookery forces children to grow too fast, too soon. It’s only about survival.
A small child whips past my legs, nearly knocking me on my ass.
Strong but short arms catch me before I make contact with the ground.
The child continues on and is joined by more giggling children.
I can’t bring myself to be angry with the child who tripped me.
There’s too much joy in his little face.
“Oy! Watch where you’re going, you little rascal!” the gruff voice of my savior carries over my shoulder to the child, who just giggles louder. A small smile creeps up my cheeks. I turn to thank my rescuer and am met with a familiar face.
“Aelric!” I feel my face light up as I wrap my arms around my friend from the inn. I pull back to look at his face again.
“Hello Vayna.” His warm smile melts my heart. He doesn’t strike me as a man who smiles often, and the one he gives me is genuine and warm. “I see you didn’t make it to Kanas after all.”
“Change of plans I’m afraid,” I tell him, not wanting to reveal too much. I’ve caused him enough trouble as it is. My smile fades. ”What happened after we fled, Aelric? Did the Montbeths come? Did they hurt you?” I take his warm, scarred hand in mine, looking him over, searching for injury.
He waves his other hand, dismissing my concern.
“Bah. No one can get the drop on ol’ Aelric.
I left not long after you. I stuffed some beds to make it look as though someone was in them.
Then locked up the inn tight and came here.
” He lowers his voice conspiratorially. “I even gathered up Bayo and put him in one of the beds.” There’s a twinkle of mischief in his eyes that makes me want to laugh.
“Breaking into the building and searching the place would’ve taken them some time.
Got away scot-free.” He beams with pride at his cleverness. I smile back, hoping he’s right.
“What about the boy who worked in the inn? The one that brought us water?”
“Ah. He’s here too, don’t you worry. We’re both safe.”
I relax a little with the knowledge that no one else was hurt because of me. “What are you doing here?” I ask him.
“Been Liberated all my life. I grew up here. I learned to cook, learned to fight, all within these trees. Though I have to admit, it’s much better now than when I was young.
” His chest swells more. He’s proud of this place, of his place in it.
As he should be. This place seems like a dirty little paradise.
He squeezes my hand. “You’re safe here, Vayna.
Though it’s mighty troubling seeing you so close to Kalsevden with the Montbeths lurking. Why are you here?”
I wasn’t aware we were close to Kalsevden. I thought we still had days of travel left. I chew my lip, trying to decide how truthful I should be while still keeping him out of this mess. “My friend is in trouble. I have to go back for her. We’re only stopping here for breakfast.”
“You still got that big meathead in tow then?” he asks.
I laugh. “Can’t seem to get rid of him.”
“Hmph. Good. He’s a useful one to have around, that one. Even if he is all brawn and no brain.” He taps his head with his finger.
I laugh again. “He’s not so bad.” Apparently Caene rubbed Aelric the wrong way.
“How do you know your friend’s in trouble if you have been out here all this time?” he asks. My stomach flips. He’s smarter than I gave him credit for. I bite my lip, hard, to keep from spilling my secrets. It’s bad enough that Ryfin knows.
I stay silent, chewing my lip. I like Aelric, but he doesn’t need to know who am. What I am.
“Right.” His eyes narrow. “Well then. I’d best make sure you get a perfect breakfast then, eh! Ol’ Aelric’s gotcha covered!” His genuine smile returns, as does mine.
Aelric offers me his arm as Ryfin did earlier.
He leads me to the bonfire at the center of the spiraling tents, where it appears most of the camp has gathered for breakfast. I scan the faces and recognize the mousy woman from last night, the one who was calling for retribution.
She has her arms wrapped around the shoulders of a young girl standing in front of her.
I rock back on my heels as I recognize her as well.
She’s the girl who nearly bested me. It hits me then like a bolt of lightning to the face.
My heart drops as I understand that Caene killed her father that night. In front of her.
Guilt squeezes at my heart. I break my stare to try to get some relief.
I can’t change what happened. I continue perusing the faces, looking for one in particular.
My eyes lock on emerald ones across the bonfire.
But these aren’t quite the same green eyes I’ve become accustomed to.
The cockiness and self-assurance I’ve come to know is dwindled, replaced by pain and regret.
Suddenly I’m slammed by a memory. A dream I’ve dreamed for years.
One that always slips from my memory the moment I wake up.
The emerald eye, morphing into a pair of green ones filled with shame and pain.
My stomach drops and I put my hand there to try to stop it.
I’ve been dreaming about Caene’s eyes. How am I just noticing this now?
You’ve been blinded by anger and hatred. My mother’s voice says to me.
I tremble and let the thought sink in. Caene’s been with me my whole life in some way. I can’t pretend I know why, but something has been drawing me toward him. Call it fate, chance, or circumstance, but I think I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Caene’s face remains a facade of stony disinterest, but his eyes tell me everything I need to know.
He’s come to the same conclusion I have about the girl.
I pat Aelric’s arm, offering him a small smile before letting him go.
I round the fire to stand beside Caene and take his hand in mine, interlocking our fingers.
He doesn’t look at me, but he squeezes my hand.
“Friends!” Ryfin’s voice carries over the din of voices and flame.
The chattering of the people around us fades.
I glance briefly over to the woman and her child.
The mother is spearing Caene and me with a look that would send most people running.
Not me. I want to go to them, to apologize, to explain, but the rage and hurt sizzling off her tells me she wouldn’t listen and would most likely just punch me in the throat. I don’t think I’d blame her.
“I know you are unaccustomed to seeing strangers in our midst.” All heads swivel toward Caene and me.
I try not to duck away from the stares. I may not be afraid of one woman’s glares, but being the center of attention of dozens makes my skin feel too tight.
“I assure you, they will be well-behaved and can be trusted.” I hear a loud scoff from the mother.
If I heard it, I’m sure Ryfin did as well but he plunges ahead, ignoring her.
“They will stay only a short while and it is important they feel welcome.” He glances over at the mousy mother, giving her a pointed look. She glowers at him before turning on her heel and stomping away from the fire, leaving her daughter behind.
“They are not to be harmed.” He shoots another look at a man to my left. His cheeks color crimson and he backs away from us.
What was he going to do?
“From the sky,” Ryfin says quietly.
“To the dust,” the rest respond solemnly.
“From the mortal!” Ryfin’s voice gets louder.
“To the eternal!” the rest shout, throwing their fists in the air.
“Eat, my friends.” He slaps Aelric on the back.
Aelric and others start doling out breakfast on mismatched plates. No doubt they stole every single one from travelers along the road. I can’t help but smile a little. I feel bad for the ones they robbed, but at least their items are being put to good use, not just traded or sold.
Everyone is smiling or laughing or engaging in happy conversations. Everyone seems content. It’s a strange environment for me, but one I could get used to.
Caene and I wait our turn in a long line that winds around the bonfire and through a few of the tents. No one seems concerned that Aelric and his helpers will run out of food, and the line moves quickly and without incident. This sense of community and trust is astonishing.
I spot the young girl a few people ahead of me in line.
She glances back at me, catching me staring.
I look away, not wanting to make her uncomfortable, but when I look back, she’s openly watching me.
Clearly, she doesn’t mind making me uncomfortable.
Her blue eyes don’t hold the same hatred as her mother’s.
I wonder why. If someone I loved was killed in front of me, I’d loathe the killer.