“Just a lone woman,” Maarav explained once everyone was within earshot. He flicked his gaze to Iseult. “Do we want to risk setting up camp in the woods again, or should we perhaps ask to share her fire?”
“We can decide once we’ve reached her,” Iseult replied, then turned to Finn. “You should cover your dragon.”
She nodded, then scooped the little dragon up into her arms, wrapping her in a cloak. The dragon purred happily, likely just as cold and tired as the rest of them.
Soon enough they reached the woman, lounging by her fire with a serene expression. Maarav thought it odd at first that the woman should be so relaxed, but then he recognized her. He quickly debated his next course of action in his head. Finn already knew that Maarav and Bedelia were acquainted, so it would not do to pretend he didn’t know her, but that would of course bring about many other questions, most from his overly suspicious brother.
He was saved from further action as Bedelia acknowledged their presence, and Finn squealed and began to dart toward her, then seemed to remember the dragon in her arms. She quickly passed the creature off to Kai, then finished her approach, lunging for Bedelia, who stood as she wrapped her in a fierce hug.
Bedelia, however, didn’t seem to know what to do with the sudden attention, and awkwardly patted Finn’s back until the woman released her.
“I’m so glad you’re alive!” Finn exclaimed while everyone else watched on. “Maarav told me he delivered the potion for your illness, but I’ve been so worried. I’m sorry for leaving you, it was not my choice.”
“Slow down,” Bedelia chuckled, glancing past Finn toward the rest of their party. “It seems you’ve acquired quite a few friends along your journey, or are these the ones you were looking for when we met?”
“Well you already know Maarav,” Finn replied excitedly, much to Maarav’s chagrin. If everyone hadn’t already caught the first mention of his name, they would surely catch it now. Hopefully they would not feel compelled to ask for further explanation past Bedelia and Finn staying at his inn.
“And this is Iseult,” she continued, gesturing to the tall, ominous figure at her side. She went on to introduce everyone else, including Tavish and Rae. “We’re still looking for my friend àed,” she added sadly.
Was it just Maarav’s imagination, or had Bedelia’s expression tensed at the mention of àed? He pursed his lips in thought. He’d have to ask Bedelia later, once he managed some privacy. There were many things he wanted to ask the woman, as he didn’t believe for a moment her appearance was mere happenstance.
Finn continued to chatter on, and soon enough, everyone was seated around the fire. Bedelia was formally introduced to Naoki, letting Maarav know how much Finn trusted her friend. He found himself almost glad Finn had the ever-suspicious Iseult around to keep her from trusting every person she came across. She was obviously a poor judge of character.
It didn’t take long for Ealasaid to join in the conversation, and even Anna, who seemed to slowly be forming some sort of bond with the other women, another surprise. He’d known of Anna and her reputation as a heartless smuggler for years, and she knew of him as, well, a man of many trades, though the two had rarely crossed paths. He was surprised she’d form an allegiance with women as seemingly nice as Finn and Ealasaid, but he supposed it was a wise move on her part. He knew he should be making allegiances of his own.
Their conversations went on late into the evening, until everyone was ready to fall asleep. Bedelia’s presence seemed to have lifted a measure of tension in the group, and Maarav was grateful. Iseult and Anna took first watch for the night, while everyone dozed off, including Maarav. It was odd, resting easy around such a large group. He knew he had little to fear from any of them, save perhaps Bedelia.
It would be unfortunate if he later needed to betray them, but he’d always done what he must. The present was no different.
Chapter Four
The next long stretch of travel went by easy enough as far as Kai was concerned. Camping near the road with a large fire seemed to keep the Faie at bay, and several times they came across traveling caravans willing to share a bit of warmth and merriment, at least for those willing to accept it. Iseult had mainly kept to himself, watching over Naoki to allow Finn the comfort of warm meals and a toasty fire when they shared camp with strangers. The last caravan had even shared a bit of brandy, bringing deeper sleep to those who’d partaken. Needing to sleep doubly well, Kai had sipped a bit more than necessary.
Still, he could hardly wait to reach Port Ainfean. According to the travelers they passed, the port town was yet unharmed by the Faie, or An Fiach, for that matter. In fact, little had been heard of the uniformed men since some massive battle up in the North. Few knew much about the battle, save Iseult, Maarav, and Ealasaid, who’d all been present. He had learned from Iseult that An Fiach had marched on a small settlement of refugees, led by a Reiver from the far North. The Reiver had been collecting magic users, and the initial battle had been bloody, but no one knew just what had happened since Iseult and the others left the battlegrounds behind.
Yet, that was not at the forefront of his mind. Lifting a hand to shield his eyes from the light drizzle of rain, he watched Bedelia, silently leading her horse while glancing warily at the rest of their party. Finn’s new friend, he’d learned, was the woman she’d traveled with after she’d been kidnapped . . . if being pulled through the earth by animate roots could be considered kidnapping. He found it odd that Bedelia had been readily willing to travel with Finn to Migris back then, just as he found it odd that she’d happily joined them in their travels now, claiming she was heading south, the west all the way to Sormyr. He would have to keep an eye on her. He knew what Finn, Iseult, and Anna sought was exceedingly valuable, and he would not put it past Bedelia, Maarav, or any of the others to try and steal it. A few months prior, Kai himself would have tried to steal it. Now, he wasn’t quite sure what he was doing, besides trying to help Anna. Yes, that was his primary goal, or so he kept telling himself. Risking life and limb to chase the gray shapes out of Anna’s head.
He let out a sigh of relief when the spires of Port Ainfean came into view, illuminated by large fires in the watchtowers, even during the rainy day. Hopefully there they would all find hot meals and warm beds within the port town. In the morning, they could attempt to acquire more horses, and their journey would become much easier. It was a long way between Port Ainfean and Garenoch. Horses were nearly a necessity.
Finn and Ealasaid where walking together on the other side of the road, whispering and glancing his way every so often. He had no doubt Finn was regaling the girl with the story of their last visit to Ainfean, when Finn had imbibed a bit too much, only to sneak away the next morning, leaving him behind.
Ealasaid let out a loud chuckle, probably amused at what a fool Kai was.
His mood turning sour, he picked up his pace, eager to reach Malida’s tavern where he would procure a nice dram of whiskey . . . or two.
Ealasaid laughed again.
Or three.
They eventually reached the gates and passed through unhindered, though the guards looked each of them up and down with thoroughly disapproving glares. It was well known that Port Ainfean was a den of smugglers and thieves, so the guards were more in place to keep out the Faie, or any humans who would hope to enforce the laws of the realm.
Finn surprised Kai by moving to his side as they walked down the wide dirt road, lined on either side with vendors bundled against the cold. She had her dragon once again wrapped up in her arms, covered by the cloak. She had to be rather heavy to carry that way, though at least the dragon seemed content to remain hidden, likely pleased to be so near her mother’s warmth.