Tess nodded and took Tavi’s hands. “I know.”
“We’ll do whatever it takes to stop them.”
Tess didn’t reply immediately. When she did, her voice was quiet. “You’ve changed, Tavi.”
Tavi’s heart dropped. The last thing she wanted was to disappoint her sister. “I’m not the innocent little girl I used to be,” she murmured.
“Oh no, that’s not what I mean. You’re . . . you’re stronger. I saw it when you visited the monastery the first time. And now, it’s not just strength I see in you. It’s courage.”
Tavi laughed, and the sound ended with a sob. “You have no idea how scared I am.”
Tess squeezed Tavi’s hands. “Maybe courage doesn’t have to feel like strength. Maybe courage means we keep going when all we can see is our weakness.”
Tavi mulled that over for a little while. Then she let go of Tess’ hands and settled back in the spot she’d been in before. Tess’ arm came around her again.
“You asked how we’ll stop the Grays,” Tavi said. “But we might not stop them. There’s a very good chance we’ll lose this fight.”
“Will it be worth it, just to have tried?”
Tavi paused, then answered, “Yes.”
“Really? Even if you fail?”
“Yes!”
“Hmm.”
Tavi couldn’t interpret the response. She sat up straight and examined her sister’s profile. Tess had a slight smile on her lips as she stared at something straight across from them. Tavi followed her gaze. Perhaps thirty feet away, a solitary figure sat under another tree. A nearby lantern shed just enough light for Tavi to see that it was Tullen.
“Hmm,” Tess said again.
After a cold, wet, miserable night, Tavi stood on the soaked blanket she’d slept on. The sun was barely up. And suddenly it occurred to her that while she’d slept, the rain had stopped, and the clouds had blown away.
Others were already awake. Tavi followed their voices to a nearby clearing, where a fire was blazing. A fire! Tavi couldn’t help the tears that fell; she was so tired and cold, and the fire was the most beautiful thing she’d seen in days.
She came close and took off her shoes and socks, setting them as close to the fire as she dared. Then she sat again on her wet blanket, reaching her disgustingly wrinkled feet toward the flames.
Minutes later, Tullen arrived. She joined others in clapping and cheering, for he was carrying a small deer across his shoulders. He set down the bow and arrow he’d borrowed from the monastery, then took the deer off to the side to dress it.
Tavi watched him as she dried her feet. She’d seen him dress plenty of animals over the years, and she’d never gotten used to the gruesome task. So she kept her eyes off the poor deer, instead watching Tullen’s arms. He’d rolled up his sleeves past his elbows. The lean muscles in his right forearm went taut as he did the necessary work with his knife, and Tavi found herself focusing on that particular part of him for an irrationally long time, wondering if his muscles had always been that defined, and why she hadn’t noticed until now.
Magic flowed into her. And for some reason—maybe it was the relief she felt from the sun’s brightness and the fire’s heat—she didn’t care who saw and what they thought about her sudden burst of golden desire. She kept her eyes on Tullen, and when he lifted his gaze and saw her, she didn’t shrink back from his raised eyebrows. She even gave him a small smile, and he returned it, though his seemed a little tentative. He got back to work, and after a few minutes, she let her magic go.
They’d planned to leave as soon as everyone was awake, but that was before they’d known there would be venison for breakfast. Tavi was anxious to get going, but she knew that more walking without food would just exhaust them all. She tried to enjoy the unexpected relaxation.
They had no cooking utensils or pots, so Tullen cut thin strips of meat, which they all skewered on sticks and cooked over the flames. They were all so hungry that no one complained about the lack of seasonings. There was more than enough meat to fill them all up, and they wrapped up the rest in blankets to bring to the farm.
It was mid-morning when they resumed their journey. The difference from the day before was vast. Tavi had healed all their blisters and scrapes, and nobody was hungry. It finally felt like spring, with mild temperatures, a bright sun, and wildflowers.
Most of the monks were quiet travelers; they were used to contemplative lives. When Jenevy asked if they’d sing, their first answer was a friendly yet firm no. But Tess walked through the group, whispering to the monks she sang with in the mornings. Tavi didn’t know what her sister said to them, but it worked. The group sang three exquisitely beautiful songs, convincing Tavi that a little bit of Senniet had joined them on the road.
Next, Jenevy and Tullen taught them a Meadow traveling song. Tullen’s voice was truly dreadful, and Jenevy’s pleasant tone didn’t make him sound any better. In the end, the group’s laughter drowned out most of Tullen’s off-key bellowing.
Their pace wasn’t any faster than it had been the day before, but Tavi enjoyed every minute of the long trek. Finally, in mid-afternoon, they turned down a little-used country road. At the end was a picturesque farm. The house was large and rambling, but remarkably cute, with pale yellow walls and bright white trim and shutters. Two large, red barns were visible behind the house.
As the safety officer had said, most of her parents’ fields had been left to nature’s devices. Others were plowed, waiting to be planted with spring wheat. The closest field, however, was full of winter-tolerant crops. Tavi spied two forms of hardy, leafy greens, along with onions. It made her miss her mother’s garden—and her mother.
They stopped at the path leading to the front door. The safety officer invited Bea and Tavi to come meet her parents. As she walked toward the house, Tavi’s stomach flickered with nervous energy.
They reached the door, and the safety officer knocked. The woman who opened it burst into tears as soon as she saw her daughter. Her loud weeping drew her husband to the entry, and he looked so shocked, Tavi feared he’d faint. After long hugs with both her parents, the safety officer introduced Tavi and Bea, and they all went in.
Sitting around the kitchen table with mugs of fresh milk, Tavi quickly realized her nerves were for naught. The safety officer’s parents were quite possibly the warmest, kindest people Tavi had ever met. Their daughter told them what had happened at the monastery and asked if they’d host the Savalans and monks. The farmers didn’t even say yes. Instead, they jumped straight into an enthusiastic discussion of where they’d put everyone and what they’d have for dinner that night.
Their daughter then explained the plight of the single refugee who’d joined them. The mood around the table grew more somber, and the female farmer said, “She can stay here as long as she likes. And if there’s any way for us to find out about others who need such shelter, we’ll bring them too. No one should be afraid to live in their own home.”
Tears flooded Tavi’s eyes, a single one running halfway down her cheek before she caught it with warm fingers. This farm, with its generous owners, represented everything she loved about Cormina. Everything she was afraid of losing to power-hungry leaders and the spread of gray magic. No one should be afraid to live in their own home.
“And what about you?” the male farmer asked Tavi. “You don’t look like a monk or a rebellious safety officer.”
So Tavi told her story. She tried to keep it short, but that seemed impossible. Half an hour later, she finally stopped talking. The female farmer grabbed Tavi’s hand and said, “You and your friends must be exhausted. We’ll give you the bedrooms tonight so you can get a good night’s sleep. Then we’ll send you off in the morning with traveling supplies and prayers.”
“I appreciate that,” Tavi said. “But could we sleep this afternoon and leave tonight instead? We need to travel quickly.”
“Of course.”
Fifteen minutes later, Tavi’s head sank into
an impossibly comfortable pillow, and she fell into an immediate, deep sleep.
When a hand shook Tavi awake, she thought she’d slept for perhaps an hour. But the sunlight that had streamed through the window earlier had been replaced by a black sky, dotted with starlight.
“The other Golds are awake and ready to go,” Tess said.
Tavi sat up and stretched. “I’d better get dressed.”
Tess raised an amused eyebrow. After a moment, Tavi laughed. “Oops.” She’d been so tired, she’d gone to sleep fully dressed, including her shoes. She got out of bed and walked to the kitchen.
The other Golds were all there, eating a huge meal, even though it was midnight.
“Have a seat; our hosts made us breakfast,” Tullen said.
Tavi sat between Tullen and Curvis Sanno, the royal guard joining the Golds on their journey. She made a sandwich with crisp bacon and a buttery biscuit. It was the best food she’d had since before they’d gone to the catacombs.
“I need to tell you all something,” Jenevy said. When she had everyone’s attention, she took a deep breath and said, “I’m staying here.”
A chorus of questions hit her, and she held up both hands. The table grew silent again, and she explained, “Our hosts told me that the only midwife in this area passed away last year. I’m not a full midwife yet, but I learned so much in my months of training. I can help them. And if this place turns into a refuge for people fleeing from unsafe homes, I’d like to help with that too.”
Tavi spoke past a lump in her throat. “Do you think you’ll come back to Oren? When it’s safe?”
Jenevy smiled. “We’ll see.”
“You may not want to leave your new friend,” Narre said.
Jenevy, who rarely got embarrassed, blushed. Tavi’s eyebrows rose. As they’d traveled the past two days, a male safety officer had walked with Jenevy the whole time. Tavi hadn’t thought anything of it, but Jenevy clearly had. Tavi caught her eye and gave her a tearful smile. Jenevy deserved to be happy, but Tavi would miss her.
For the rest of their midnight breakfast, Tavi savored every bite of food and word of conversation. She reminded herself that this—this sense of safety and community—was what they were fighting to protect. The meal was short; they were all anxious to get on the road. Soon they said their goodbyes to Tess and Jenevy, then left the house, full packs strapped to their backs.
Tavi shivered in the early spring air and sent a short prayer through the blackness and stars. She was ready.
Chapter Forty
I have just heard some news, and I immediately rushed to my room to write you. The king and queen have left Savala and are traveling west! I do not know where they are going, but I hold out hope they will travel on the road that passes your home. If they do, you must find a way to see them. Perhaps you will even meet them? And then you must write to me with every detail!
How things have turned! Now it is I asking you for news of Corminian royalty, embellished or otherwise!
- Erti Stag to Mika Stag, from Year One: Correspondence in the Corminian Kingdom
In some ways, traveling with the Golds reminded Sall of his first trip to Savala. They were going through the same towns, again seeking information on the people they pursued.
In other ways, it was entirely different. There were seven people in their group, rather than four. Misty was gone, and now Ash was part of their group instead of being one of the people they were chasing. Sall didn’t like that, but he understood the logic of it, and he appreciated how helpful Ash had been of late. With the addition of Wrey and the royal guard Sanno, the Golds were far more prepared than they’d been that first time around.
To Sall, the biggest difference on this trip was that Narre was with him. On the first trip, he’d been overwhelmed with anxiety that he’d never find her. Every night, he’d woken at least once, his fear so sharp he could hardly breathe. When Tavi and Tullen had rescued Narre from the Grays, Sall had known he never wanted to be separated from her again.
That had been two and a half years ago. Now Sall was 17, and Narre would reach that age soon. His feelings for her had only strengthened; now he was counting down the days until they were both adults and could start seriously talking about marriage.
On the previous trip, the Golds had talked to as many people as they could, trying to get information. This time, that wasn’t an option. It was too dangerous for most of the Golds. Reward posters had been sent to offices of safety throughout Cormina. It would only take one officer with a keen eye to ruin everything.
Sall and Sanno were the only ones who didn’t need to worry about such things. But if they caught up with the Grays, Sanno would be recognized. So Sall had volunteered to be the Golds’ information gatherer at every community they encountered. If they found the royals, however, he’d have to stay away from Camalyn, who might recognize him from their brief conversation on Liberation Day.
On the first night of their travels, the Golds camped in the open. The weather was cool but dry. The next morning, they approached a small town. While the others waited well outside the town, Sall walked in, carrying his pack, playing the role of a solo traveler in need of refreshment and hungry for gossip.
It was a small community, and Sall easily found its single inn. He entered at the pub on the first floor, where a young family sat, eating breakfast. Sall greeted them and eavesdropped on their conversation. He quickly determined they were traveling through the town, just like he was.
But he only had to wait a minute or two before meeting a local. A tired, middle-aged woman sauntered in from the kitchen and stopped by his table. “Breakfast?” she asked.
“That would be wonderful,” Sall replied. “Do you have a menu?”
“This place is small, and we cook the same thing for everyone. Today, it’s eggs, sausage, toast, and tea.”
“Perfect.” Sall considered how to casually bring up the king and queen, but the woman walked off before he could come up with an idea. He’d just have to be direct. He was nervous, however. When the Golds had been on this same route looking for Narre, Tavi had used her speech gift to convince people to talk. Sall didn’t have such a gift.
The woman came back a few minutes later with the promised breakfast. She’d already taken a step away from the table when Sall blurted “Excuse me!”
She turned around, eyebrows high.
“I heard the king and queen are traveling this way. Have they—”
The woman interrupted, “Oh yes, they came through here!” Her face was full of excitement, and she looked like she’d gotten several years younger in the span of just a few words. She pulled out the chair across from Sall and leaned forward, propping her elbows on the table. “Can you believe they’d stop in a little town like ours? I have a dress shop, right next door. I work there whenever I’m not here. Queen Camalyn—the queen herself!—stopped and purchased my finest satin belt. She said she would have gotten a dress if they were staying longer, and if she wasn’t with child. But she is still so beautiful, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Overwhelmed with the woman’s sudden enthusiasm and wanting to keep the conversation on track, Sall gave her what he hoped was a friendly smile. “That must have been very exciting. When were they—”
But again, she cut him off. “ ‘Exciting’ doesn’t do it justice. Do you know what King Relin did? First, he addressed the entire town. It was late when they arrived, nearly ten at night. But word spreads quickly in a place like this, and everyone gathered, even the little ones who’d been in bed. King Relin stood in the town square and told us how honored he was to be here. Can you imagine? He told us he was honored! And then do you know what he did?”
Realizing after several seconds that the question wasn’t rhetorical, Sall said, “No, I don’t know what he did.”
“He ran up and down the walls of our town hall! Like a big spider in fancy clothes! I’d heard he could do such a thing, but I didn’t quite believe it. I’ve never seen its lik
e!” The woman broke into laughter and smacked her hand on the table, setting Sall’s dishes rattling. She stopped laughing and said, “Oh, pardon me! How does the food taste?”
“I’m sure it’s wonderful; I haven’t actually tried it—”
“I’m glad to hear it,” the woman said. “You know, I admit I hoped with everything in me that the king and queen would stay here for one night. Can you imagine? We could put it on the sign outside: ‘THE ROYAL INN.’ We’d change the name to that, naturally. ‘The Duck and Dog’ isn’t nearly fancy enough. But wouldn’t you want to stay here if the sign said, ‘THE ROYAL INN: TRAVEL RESIDENCE OF KING RELIN AND QUEEN CAMALYN’? I nearly cried when I watched their wagons leaving town.”
“They didn’t stay overnight?” Sall asked. “I thought you said they arrived late.”
“Oh, yes, but they wanted to be on their way. Their horses needed rest, so they switched them out with local horses. Not sure the owners were too happy about that, but I don’t see why not. Surely royal horses are finer than anything we have here. They were only here about two hours before they left. It was the most exciting night of my life!”
Sall’s heart dropped. How would they ever catch up if the Grays were traveling day and night? He tried to paste his smile back on. “What an incredible experience. When were they here?”
“Two nights ago. I asked Queen Camalyn to sign my tape measure, and she did! Would you like to see?”
“Uh, sure.”
The woman left, and Sall ate his breakfast as quickly as he could. When she returned from her shop next door, he pretended to marvel over the tape measure, though the ink had smeared so badly, he couldn’t tell whether the signature was from a queen or a schoolboy. He paid the woman for his breakfast and left.
Tavi was tired of sitting by the fire. She offered to spar with Tullen, and they’d just worked up a good sweat when Narre said, “Sall!”
Facing the Fire Page 37
