"Yes, Kitsune. At your command, my lord Kitsune."
Barthol strolled closer. Then, in a flash, he had his dagger at the young warrior's throat. Moria pulled hers.
"Sheathe your blade, little one," he said. "I'll not hurt the boy . . ." He dug the tip of his dagger in, drawing blood. "Unless he interrupts me again."
He lowered the blade and turned to Moria. "So what say you, Keeper? Will you take the message? Or does another village perish?"
Ashyn saw her sister's jaw flex. But her lips didn't open. It was as if she'd been holding herself so still, biting her tongue, that now she could not answer at all. Panic flashed in her eyes.
"Yes," Ashyn said quickly. "We will deliver your sealed missive to the emperor."
Barthol turned, as if just n
oticing her now. He looked from her to Moria.
"Does your sister speak for you, Keeper?"
Moria managed to nod.
"She speaks for all of us," Gavril said. "I will accompany the Seeker and the Keeper to court and protect them and the message."
"As will I," Ronan said.
"Excellent choice," Barthol said, flashing his silver teeth. "You will leave at dawn."
Forty-two
They'd been riding since sunrise with no guards other than Gavril and Ronan. There was no need of more. They were plainly dressed and armed, making them a poor target for bandits. Having no guards also meant there was no one to ensure they went to court. Again, unnecessary. Barthol's threats bound them to their task.
The mercenaries had sent them on a less-traveled road. It was the same one Ronan had marched to Edgewood--they used it for the exiles, so the criminals would pass as few travelers as possible. Ashyn and Moria met none that morning. Then, just past lunch, they'd seen clouds of dust ahead, announcing the approach of a wagon train. Traders, Ronan said--those bypassing villages on the main road, uninterested in their amenities or business prospects.
Other travelers presented a problem--namely that fair-haired twin girls would not pass unnoticed. Nor would a young warrior bearing Kitsune ink. It was easy to hide Gavril's arms. Disguising the girls was harder. They wore their cloaks, with their hair tucked in, hoods tented over their faces. It would still draw attention--there was no need for cloaks in the spring sun of midday--but Ronan said that two hooded girls accompanied by young warriors would be presumed to be headed for the city, likely to one of the courtesan houses.
The real problem was Tova and Daigo. Even the most jaded traveler would realize they weren't simply exotic pets from a far-off kingdom. The best way to handle it was to send the beasts off into the wooded roadside. Daigo was quite willing to go--he'd happily avoid people if he could. Tova was harder to convince--if they were about to encounter strangers, he wanted to be at his Seeker's side, to protect her. Ultimately Daigo convinced him--or drove him off, herding him until they were in the trees, following alongside their girls, keeping an eye on them.
They passed two wagon trains and four carts without incident. When it came time to stop for the night, they found a place far from the road, so no stray travelers would see their fire and decide to join them.
They'd tethered the horses near the stream, where spring grass grew in abundance. Then they made camp a hundred paces away. Now Ashyn watched her sister crouch beside Daigo, examining his leg. The infected scratch seemed to be worsening. Ashyn had already done what she could, helping Moria wash and drain it. Now her sister was fretting, and Ashyn wanted to be there, sitting with her, comforting her, and reassuring her. She tried, but it was like talking to a spirit, one who may respond, but only vaguely, remaining hidden and distant beyond the veil.
Moria tugged impatiently at her cloak as it slid over her shoulder. It was obviously new, and Ashyn had asked about it, but her sister had stiffened at the question before changing the subject.
Ashyn presumed she'd taken it from Edgewood. Moria's own had clearly been--Ashyn winced at the memory--unusable. So she'd likely removed one from the tailor's shop. Completely reasonable, but perhaps to Moria it seemed like theft. Ashyn wanted to offer comfort, but for once in their lives, Ashyn couldn't reach her.
As she watched Moria, she noticed Ronan heading her way. He slowed and looked from her to Moria. Then he made his choice. It was--she sighed--the expected one.
Ronan crouched beside Moria. He pointed at her dagger and made a motion, as if throwing it. Moria lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. Ronan took out his blade and gripped it, as if to throw it, then gestured at his hand. Asking her if he was holding it properly. Trying to entice her away from Daigo for a lesson. Again, though, Moria only gave a half shrug.
She clearly just wanted him to go away, and those lackluster shrugs--instead of telling him point-blank--only proved that she wasn't herself. But Ronan would see it as rejection. Ashyn could take no pleasure in seeing him hurt.
She stood and walked over, with Tova trailing silently after her.
"Can you throw both?" Ashyn asked as she approached them. "I know you've practiced with your off-hand, but can you throw them both at once? Like . . ." She motioned.
Ashyn thought she'd pantomimed it quite well, but Ronan choked on a laugh. Even Moria managed to find a smile.
"If I threw them like that, I think I'd lose both my feet," she said.
Ashyn shot her fist at her sister. Moria sputtered, a real laugh now, then turned to Ronan.