"Walk," she said again. "Need walk."
Moria waved at the small cell and said, "No room." The woman motioned that Moria needed to go out, both for exercise and air.
Moria laughed at that. "I would truly love to, but I think I'm as likely to get that as I am to get my dagger returned."
The healer snorted, as if she got the gist of Moria's words. A few emphatic gestures followed. None of them made any sense to Moria. Then the old woman motioned for Moria to finish her food and tea as she gathered her things and departed.
Moria attempted to contact the spirits as soon as she was alone. One answered . . . and told her to be careful. Very unhelpful. Moria asked the spirit for assistance. When that failed to get an answer, she set aside all her dignity and begged. Finally, the spirit relented . . . and said she was safe enough. That was all. It did not know anything about Ashyn or Daigo or Tyrus or the children of Edgewood. Just a weak and random spirit, called forth by her pleas, unable even to act as her spy. Useless. Like 90 percent of the spirits out there. And the other ten never seemed to be around when she needed them, blast them.
It wasn't yet time for the evening meal when Moria's cell door opened again. Gavril walked in, followed by one of the guards that had accompanied him earlier.
"What's this you told Rametta about needing to walk?"
"Rametta?" Moria said. "I suppose you mean the healer. I don't know her name. Conversation is difficult when one doesn't speak the common language."
"Oh, you two seem to be communicating just fine." Gavril waved for his guard to come in and close the door. "Rametta is from my family's homeland. The old witch is too blasted stubborn to learn the common language, but as I'm sure you've noticed, she understands quite enough of it. About this walking nonsense--"
"It was her idea."
His glower deepened. "I'm sure it was. Just as I'm certain you only wish to walk to stretch your legs."
"What else would I do? I'm in an armed compound. There's no way for me to escape."
"That won't stop you from trying."
Moria sighed and lowered herself, cross-legged, to the floor. "Believe what you want. I would still welcome the exercise, even if it came with ten guards."
"Of course, Keeper. Whatever you wish. Shall I return your dagger, too?"
"That would be lovely."
She met his glare with a smile. He shook his head and turned to go.
"There will be no walks, Keeper. And I would suggest you not keep at Rametta about it or she'll go to my father. She was his nursemaid, and she has more sway over him than anyone ought. I don't need that kind of trouble."
THIRTY-THREE
It was almost exactly a day later when Gavril stormed into Moria's cell again.
"Did I warn you not to bother Rametta with this walk nonsense?" he said.
"I didn't say a word."
He skewered her with a look.
She straightened. "I know you won't believe me, but I did not, Lord Gavril."
His eyes narrowed. "Do not call me that."
"It's your new title, is it not? If I don't use it, I'm failing to pay the proper respect."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice so the guard couldn't hear. "Don't mock me, Keeper."
Moria sighed and, once again, lowered herself to the floor. "I cannot win, can I? If I called you Gavril or, worse, Kitsune, you would accuse me of showing disrespect--"
"Enough."
She looked up at him but didn't rise. She refused to give him the satisfaction of a fight, and that only made him fume all the more. He backed up and crossed his arms.