Each day that followed in the next few weeks was the same. She woke sore but rested. Together, they gulped down a quick breakfast of bread and game before her training began. After days of working on balance, Dinah finally got her sword back, and with it her pride. She was covered in bruises, but each one had taught her a painful lesson, one that she would not soon forget. Pain cemented things in the brain the way reading did not. After sparring, they continued to make their way east, going painfully slowly as they navigated their way over pebbly ground and fields of strewn boulders. The Yurkei Mountains were upon them now, and the farther they got from the Twisted Wood, the less she feared her father finding them. The rocky outcroppings and grooves in the earth provided minimal protection once they reached the tree line, but there was no one around. The Spade had delivered them from the King’s hands, as promised. In the evenings, Sir Gorrann would tell her of the politics and rumors swirling around Wonderland, some she knew and some she did not know. He told her dark stories of the Spades, stories that entertained while making her blood curdle. He never spoke of his own past, which made Dinah even more curious about where he had come from and why he was here. When she pressed him for answers, he simply walked away, leaving her in uncomfortable silence.
When the stars appeared, they watched with fascination as strange shades of light played over the mountain face, shifting swirls of every color, flickering like a flame as though they were reflecting an invisible sunset. It was beautiful, ethereal, and terrifying all at once. The light seemed to hover over one specific peak. She had never seen anything like it. Dinah did not relish turning her back to the lights, and slept facing them only to awaken facing the plain gray mountainside in the morning. Through it all the Spade remained, and with his training Dinah grew lean and strong. Another week passed. Thoughts of leaving his side slowly faded, and in the clear cold nights she was grateful to have a friend, if that’s even what he was.
Chapter Six
After their morning lesson—which consisted of repeatedly striking targets that Sir Gorrann had marked with charred wood—they started their hike early due to the abundance of ominous clouds in the west. The weather had turned in the last few days. Cheerful and glossy spring had changed into sopping warm rains and foggy nights. As she was almost constantly damp, drenched, or drying, Dinah had never known that being wet could be so miserable.
As they circled their way around boulders that resembled hulking granite giants, ones that even seemed to dwarf Morte, Dinah felt a question alight on her tongue. The Spade had shared so little about himself, and her curiosity grew more potent every day. Some days she felt as though she knew him better than anyone else; other days she was following nothing more than a shadow—listless, hard to pin down. Today had proved the most challenging climb so far, and both were exhausted from the rocky switchbacks that led up a nearly sheer cliff face. In a shocking twist, Morte had allowed Dinah to lead him with a leather rein that the Spade had given her. It was a cruel joke, thought Dinah. If Morte pitched off the side of the mountain, then she wouldn’t be able to do anything to help him. She would plummet down with him, and both of their bodies would be broken on the rocks below. Just like my brother. Still, a physical connection with Morte helped calm them both as they walked and tried not to look down.
Hoping that the discomfort and distraction of the climb would ease his fury, Dinah dared to speak the question: “Sir Gorrann, what happened to your family?”
The Spade flinched as he nicked his arm open on a sharp rock outcropping. “Damn! Look what yeh made me do. Been dying to ask, have yeh?”
Dinah shrugged, the motion giving Morte’s leather reins a shake. “Perhaps. Yes. It’s either that or tell me where we’re going.”
The Spade took a deep breath and stared aimlessly at the sky with his dark gold eyes. “Fine. I’ll tell yeh. But not without some parameters. What I’m about to share cannot be repeated, understand? And once I tell it, yeh may not ask any questions about it. I’ll not have you pestering me for feelings that I’ve long buried.”
Dinah nodded. “I won’t. Promise.”
“Fine, then.” He turned slightly back to look at her, his long gray hair blowing gently in the wind. “Cling to the wall, Princess, or this coming wind will rip yeh right off.”
Dinah pressed herself against the stony slate at her back and continued to watch him silently. The Spade stared off into the distance, his eyes focused on something she couldn’t see.