"And that ring?"
"Ring? I . . . I am sorry, but I cannot part with that. It was my mother's."
"I think I have earned it, child."
"My father left it for me. When he died. Barely seven nights ago." Ashyn heard the edge in her voice and the snap in her words. Yet there wasn't an inkling of understanding in Belaset's eyes, much less shame.
"You can buy many rings," the girl said. "I will take that one, in payment for my services."
"No, you will not--"
Belaset lunged. Ashyn staggered back. Tova grabbed Belaset by the blade arm, and she let out a hiss of shock, as if she'd forgotten the hound was there. He whipped her off her feet, Ashyn's blade bouncing to the ground. Then he retrieved the dagger gingerly by the handle and returned it to Ashyn.
"I deserve that ring," Belaset said. Her voice remained calm, as if simply requesting her due. A simple act of necessity, devoid of emotion. "I deserve it. I rescued you."
Ashyn gave a short laugh. "No, you helped me escape, using my blade, and in return, you earned your freedom, which you would not have gotten otherwise. I owe you nothing but my thanks. However, I will give you the dagger. Stay where you are. I'll walk away and leave it on the ground between us. When I whistle, you may retrieve it. If you make a move before that, I will set Tova on you, and this time, he will not be so gentle."
"All right."
Belaset's agreement came quickly--too quickly--which made Ashyn certain the girl was planning to trick her, but Belaset stayed still as Ashyn walked away and set down the blade. Even when Ashyn whistled softly, Belaset only rose and walked toward the dagger. When Ashyn glanced back, the girl was bending to retrieve it. She saw Ashyn and lifted a hand, as if in farewell. Then she turned and loped off across the dark plain.
Forty-six
As soon as they left Belaset behind, Tova started off, presumably heading for camp.
Ashyn kept looking about, creeping quickly, until she saw a figure crouched behind a bush. It was not apparent at first, and she was certain he thought the bush hid him, but spring had not yet brought the bush into full bloom, and she could make out a crouching figure through its half-bare branches.
She froze. Her fingers fumbled under her cloak for her dagger . . . before she remembered she no longer had it.
"Tova!" she whispered.
He glanced at her. She motioned at the bush, where the figure was now rising. Tova looked over at it, then back at her, as if to say, So?
The faint moonlight lit the figure. It was Ronan.
"Ashyn?" Ronan's whisper crossed the distance between them.
"Who else would it be?" she whispered as she walked over. "Tova gives me away nicely."
"It was not a question so much as a greeting, lest you decide to put Moria's dagger-throwing lessons into practice."
"I doubt you'd be in much danger even if I did."
He chuckled softly. His hand went out, and she thought he was going to take hers and draw her to him, but he only beckoned her close, then laid his hand on her arm.
"It seems I fell asleep at my post." He flashed a wry smile. "But if you don't tell Gavril, I won't tell Moria that you got lost relieving yourself."
"Got lost?" She gave him a hard look. "Is that truly what you thought?"
Tova harrumphed, equally offended.
&nbs
p; "You were knocked unconscious with a dart," she said. "I was kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?"
"How long was I gone?" Ashyn shook her head and waved for him to follow Tova, who'd started back toward camp. "I'll explain to everyone at--" She stopped and spun on him. "You did not realize I was taken?"