Jaerod smiled. “Oh, this is mild. Try crossing the Ravenstone during a blizzard.”
“Cold is cold, Sleepwalker,” Flent muttered sleepily, patting Ticastasy’s arm with his meaty hand. She snuggled closer to him. “I was born in the Ravenstone but you get used to it, I guess.” He wiped his nose on his sleeve. “This doesn’t bother me much. But I’m never going back to those mountains.”
“Why not?” Thealos asked. “Isn’t that your homeland?”
“Nope. Sol is. During all those banned wars with the banned Krag in the Ravenstone, my parents died of tide fever. I wanted to fight, but they said I was too young, so they sent me to an orphanage in Astillon. I hardly remember what it was like any more. But I do remember it was cold.”
“Astillon is pretty country though,” Thealos said. “I like the highlands. Spruce and red-pine groves and fields of mustard clover.”
Flent shrugged, not impressed. “You’re talking about the scenery. It’s not easy being the only Drugaen at an orphanage. Too young to fight in the wars, they said. Hah! Had plenty of fights at the orphanage. Nobody left to look after me.” He gave Thealos a low smile. “Quite a few of your people there. The outcast ones – the Kilshae. Some of ‘em, anyway. No one ever came back for me. You know, to bring me back to the Drugaen Nation.” He chuckled mirthlessly. “So when I was old enough, I left and went as far from the mountains as I could walk. I love the sea.” He smiled at the hiss of foam receding off the shores. “Ahhh, that’s music.”
“I can’t believe we’ve known each other that long, Flent,” Ticastasy smiled, jostling his leg. “What, eight years ago already? You were just a small lad back then. Look at you now. Too much Spider ale, and you’ve got scabby knuckles from all the fighting you do.”
Flent chuckled. “And who are you calling skinny, girl? You were just a gangly little thing yourself, fawning over every sea captain coming into port. Never the first mates, either. She liked the captains best.” He gave Thealos a wry smile, seeing the look on his face. Thealos had a difficult time reconciling the pretty serving girl’s affection for Flent. “She’s my sister, Thealos. We’re kindred, no matter what anyone says. When Roye put me to work in the Foxtale, I started keeping my eye on her. Anyone got too close, and…”
“You left them bleeding out their nose on the back porch,” the girl finished for him. “You’d think he was half-hen, half-rooster. Strutting like any freeborn Drugaen, yet he’s as motherly as don Rion’s queen. I’m surprised I’ve met anyone these last few years.” She nudged him playfully in the ribs.
“Hush,” Flent chided. He flushed with pride though. “Just kept the bad ones away, that’s all.”
“And how many bad ones were there?” Jaerod asked.
“Most of them,” he shot back with a grin. Gazing over the fire at Jaerod, Flent looked him dead in the eye. “So we’re going to Landmoor, Sleepwalker. ‘Preciate you looking out for us. I just can’t help thinking – wouldn’t we run into more Kiran Thall down there than we would further north?”
“You’re not the fool you pretend to be,” the Sleepwalker replied with a wry smile. “I’m sorry for the little deception, but it was very likely that anything we said was overheard.” Before the serving girl could object, he added, “Thealos and I are going to Landmoor. But we’re stopping in Castun first. It’s a little village on the north border of the Shadows Wood. I know the innkeeper at the Catpaw Inn, and I’m sure he’ll have work for you until things settle down in Sol.” He scattered some of the ashes with the stick. The earth was a mixture of dirt and sand. “When Thealos and I finish our business in Landmoor, you can go where you like.” His voice trailed off thoughtfully, and then he looked at Thealos. “I learned some things in Sol tonight. Disturbing news. Things are happening much faster than I thought they would. I must leave you. Tonight.”
“What?” Thealos sat forward with a start. He was aware of Flent and Ticastasy staring at them in confusion.
“If I leave now, I can be in Castun tomorrow. You three would only slow me down.” His gray eyes glittered. “I need to make some arrangements before we head down to Landmoor. Before it’s too late.”
“Too late for what?” The thought of Jaerod abandoning him struck fear and anger inside him. He wanted to ask more, but he didn’t dare voice his concerns. He had no idea where Castun was, or Landmoor for that matter. Jaerod had only asked him to follow, not to find his own way there.
The Sleepwalker snapped the stick in half and tossed it into the fire. He looked at all three of them. Flent and Ticastasy stared back. “There is danger on the road ahead as well as behind us. The Bandit Rebellion is massing an army outside of Landmoor. They plan to siege the fortress and provoke a war with Dos-Aralon.” He looked at Thealos. “And possibly Avisahn too. We need to get into the city before it falls.”