Fireblood (Whispers from Mirrowen 1)

They set up camp within the shelter of the woods, Annon and Hettie both working side by side to put up a ring of stones and gather brushwood for a fire. Paedrin was at a loss for what to do, so he separated from them slightly and began practicing some of the complex forms he had learned in the Bhikhu temple. He did Five Animals and Five Elements along with Snapping Crane. Each was a series of intricate moves, which, if broken down into the parts, could be used to fight or subdue one man or many men. It was like a dance. A dangerous dance.

The crackle of flames alerted him that the fire was starting to take. He turned and saw Hettie was gone. Annon fed chips of wood into the growing fire.

“Where did she go?”

The Druidecht looked up from the fire, glanced around, and then continued the motion. “There is a warren of rabbits back the way we came. She is going to kill one for dinner.”

Paedrin’s stomach twisted. “I do not eat meat.”

Annon shrugged. “I noticed some mushrooms and gathered them. There are also different forms of bark, depending on how hungry you are.”

“I brought my own food,” Paedrin said. “Shouldn’t we be going with her?”

Annon looked up at him, curious. “Whatever for?”

“Your uncle wanted me to protect her.”

“From wild rabbits?”

“I do not know these woods,” Paedrin said, glancing around warily.

“Nothing will approach us unaware, Paedrin. I’ve seen to that already.”

“What do you mean? This is a forest. Any form of creature may be lurking here.”

“We share these woods with many kinds of creatures. Not just rabbits and foxes. They know we are here and have granted us safe passage. Should anything threaten us, we will be warned first. As I said, we have no need to worry.”

Paedrin looked at him quizzically. “What you say makes no sense to me. I have been with you the entire time. What agreement could you have made?”

Annon smiled. “It is Druidecht, my friend. Just trust me. We will be safe here.”

Paedrin was skeptical, but he did not let it show. He crouched down by the budding flames and waved his hand over the flicking tongues. “I know we go to Havenrook, but I know very little else. Can you tell me more about our journey?”

“There is no reason not to tell you. My sister is Romani and desires to buy her freedom. When she turns eighteen, she will be sold again. We seek a man named Erasmus in Havenrook who knows where a treasure is hidden. We must persuade him to help us find it.”

Paedrin rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “This man—Erasmus—knows of a treasure. If he knows of it, why has he not claimed it for himself?”

Annon stared down at the fire and then up at Paedrin. “Only a Paracelsus can open the door to where the treasure is hidden. My uncle has given me knowledge that will open it. I expect Erasmus will desire a portion of the treasure as his reward for leading us to it. My aim is to negotiate the terms in our favor.”

“Ah,” Paedrin said. “You are skilled at negotiations then.”

Annon shook his head. “I know very little about that craft. But the Druidecht are known for being the peacemakers within the kingdoms. I will merely help Hettie be sure the arrangement is fair.”

Paedrin opened his food sack and rummaged through it for something to eat. “You have not been to Havenrook then either?”

Annon shook his head. “No. I was raised in the woods surrounding Wayland. What do you know about it?”

“I am surprised that your uncle is sending you to negotiate. Havenrook is the home of the Preachán. They are the shrewdest dealers throughout all the kingdoms. Remember the sort that tried to wheedle my staff from me when we were leaving? They wanted the charm around your neck. They always look for a gain with little effort. Personally, I despise them. They are dishonest and cruel. I am not certain they serve some use in this world other than generating copious amount of excrement. They are cunning and ruthless, which again surprises me why your uncle is sending us all into their trading city. I have heard there are no laws in that city. None at all.”

Annon rubbed his mouth. “I did not know that.”

Paedrin shrugged and tossed a decayed leaf into the hungry flames. “Your uncle did.”

Hettie emerged from the woods, holding a dead rabbit by the ears. He flinched inside, seeing the dead thing gripped in her hand. It was a big one.

“Do you want to help me skin it, Paedrin?” she asked in a mocking tone.

“I do not eat meat,” he said, his stomach churning with disgust.