Bedelia, however, didn’t seem to know what to do with the sudden attention, and awkwardly patted Finn’s back until the woman released her.
“I’m so glad you’re alive!” Finn exclaimed while everyone else watched on. “Maarav told me he delivered the potion for your illness, but I’ve been so worried. I’m sorry for leaving you, it was not my choice.”
“Slow down,” Bedelia chuckled, glancing past Finn toward the rest of their party. “It seems you’ve acquired quite a few friends along your journey, or are these the ones you were looking for when we met?”
“Well you already know Maarav,” Finn replied excitedly, much to Maarav’s chagrin. If everyone hadn’t already caught the first mention of his name, they would surely catch it now. Hopefully they would not feel compelled to ask for further explanation past Bedelia and Finn staying at his inn.
“And this is Iseult,” she continued, gesturing to the tall, ominous figure at her side. She went on to introduce everyone else, including Tavish and Rae. “We’re still looking for my friend Àed,” she added sadly.
Was it just Maarav’s imagination, or had Bedelia’s expression tensed at the mention of Àed? He pursed his lips in thought. He’d have to ask Bedelia later, once he managed some privacy. There were many things he wanted to ask the woman, as he didn’t believe for a moment her appearance was mere happenstance.
Finn continued to chatter on, and soon enough, everyone was seated around the fire. Bedelia was formally introduced to Naoki, letting Maarav know how much Finn trusted her friend. He found himself almost glad Finn had the ever-suspicious Iseult around to keep her from trusting every person she came across. She was obviously a poor judge of character.
It didn’t take long for Ealasaid to join in the conversation, and even Anna, who seemed to slowly be forming some sort of bond with the other women, another surprise. He’d known of Anna and her reputation as a heartless smuggler for years, and she knew of him as, well, a man of many trades, though the two had rarely crossed paths. He was surprised she’d form an allegiance with women as seemingly nice as Finn and Ealasaid, but he supposed it was a wise move on her part. He knew he should be making allegiances of his own.
Their conversations went on late into the evening, until everyone was ready to fall asleep. Bedelia’s presence seemed to have lifted a measure of tension in the group, and Maarav was grateful. Iseult and Anna took first watch for the night, while everyone dozed off, including Maarav. It was odd, resting easy around such a large group. He knew he had little to fear from any of them, save perhaps Bedelia.
It would be unfortunate if he later needed to betray them, but he’d always done what he must. The present was no different.
Chapter Four
The next long stretch of travel went by easy enough as far as Kai was concerned. Camping near the road with a large fire seemed to keep the Faie at bay, and several times they came across traveling caravans willing to share a bit of warmth and merriment, at least for those willing to accept it. Iseult had mainly kept to himself, watching over Naoki to allow Finn the comfort of warm meals and a toasty fire when they shared camp with strangers. The last caravan had even shared a bit of brandy, bringing deeper sleep to those who’d partaken. Needing to sleep doubly well, Kai had sipped a bit more than necessary.
Still, he could hardly wait to reach Port Ainfean. According to the travelers they passed, the port town was yet unharmed by the Faie, or An Fiach, for that matter. In fact, little had been heard of the uniformed men since some massive battle up in the North. Few knew much about the battle, save Iseult, Maarav, and Ealasaid, who’d all been present. He had learned from Iseult that An Fiach had marched on a small settlement of refugees, led by a Reiver from the far North. The Reiver had been collecting magic users, and the initial battle had been bloody, but no one knew just what had happened since Iseult and the others left the battlegrounds behind.
Yet, that was not at the forefront of his mind. Lifting a hand to shield his eyes from the light drizzle of rain, he watched Bedelia, silently leading her horse while glancing warily at the rest of their party. Finn’s new friend, he’d learned, was the woman she’d traveled with after she’d been kidnapped . . . if being pulled through the earth by animate roots could be considered kidnapping. He found it odd that Bedelia had been readily willing to travel with Finn to Migris back then, just as he found it odd that she’d happily joined them in their travels now, claiming she was heading south, then west all the way to Sormyr. He would have to keep an eye on her. He knew what Finn, Iseult, and Anna sought was exceedingly valuable, and he would not put it past Bedelia, Maarav, or any of the others to try and steal it. A few months prior, Kai himself would have tried to steal it. Now, he wasn’t quite sure what he was doing, besides trying to help Anna. Yes, that was his primary goal, or so he kept telling himself. Risking life and limb to chase the gray shapes out of Anna’s head.
He let out a sigh of relief when the spires of Port Ainfean came into view, illuminated by large fires in the watchtowers, even during the rainy day. Hopefully there they would all find hot meals and warm beds within the port town. In the morning, they could attempt to acquire more horses, and their journey would become much easier. It was a long way between Port Ainfean and Garenoch. Horses were nearly a necessity.
Finn and Ealasaid were walking together on the other side of the road, whispering and glancing his way every so often. He had no doubt Finn was regaling the girl with the story of their last visit to Ainfean, when Finn had imbibed a bit too much, only to sneak away the next morning, leaving him behind.
Ealasaid let out a loud chuckle, probably amused at what a fool Kai was.
His mood turning sour, he picked up his pace, eager to reach Malida’s tavern where he would procure a nice dram of whiskey . . . or two.
Ealasaid laughed again.
Or three.
They eventually reached the gates and passed through unhindered, though the guards looked each of them up and down with thoroughly disapproving glares. It was well known that Port Ainfean was a den of smugglers and thieves, so the guards were more in place to keep out the Faie, or any humans who would hope to enforce the laws of the realm.
Finn surprised Kai by moving to his side as they walked down the wide dirt road, lined on either side with vendors bundled against the cold. She had her dragon once again wrapped up in her arms, covered by the cloak. She had to be rather heavy to carry that way, though at least the dragon seemed content to remain hidden, likely pleased to be so near her mother’s warmth.
“Will we be seeing Malida on this visit?” Finn questioned casually, lifting one arm from her dragon to tug her hood over her hair.
Kai raised an eyebrow at her. “I intend to see her. I didn’t know I was part of any we.”
Finn scowled at him from the shadows of her hood. “She was very kind to me, and I’d feel wrong if I did not at least stop by to offer my thanks.”
He sighed, glancing at the rest of their companions surrounding them. “I suppose that means Iseult will be coming as well.”
Finn bit her bottom lip, curled into a soft smile. “Yes, he seems reluctant to let me out of his sight.”
He snorted at the understatement. “Yes, I’m not sure if the man has even slept since we reached dry land.”
Finn laughed and nodded, eyeing a vendor’s table filled with various pies and freshly baked breads, covered with sheer cloth to keep off the road dust and occasional drizzle of rain.
“Ready for a proper meal?” he asked, not quite ready to let the semi-private conversation end.
She nodded. “Oh yes, though I’m worried about Naoki.” She glanced down at the bundle in her arms. “She’s doing quite well now, but I’m terrified of what might happen should she see something to excite her. I’ve a feeling it will not end well if she decides to burst forth in the middle of a tavern.”
“Perhaps Malida will allow us to take our meals in privacy,” Kai suggested.
Finn turned her gaze to him, her da
rk eyes suddenly filled with hope. “Do you think so? That would be wonderful. I’m not sure if the bounty for me still exists, but I imagine it’s best if I don’t draw attention to myself either.”
Kai’s eyes widened. He’d entirely forgotten about the bounty on her head, even though he and Anna at one point had kidnapped her in an attempt to claim it. “Yes,” he replied. “We should hurry to Malida’s.” He glanced around the street warily. “Suddenly I feel perhaps we were safer out in the wilds.”
Finn smiled, seemingly not as worried as he suddenly was, but at least she was smiling at him.
Finn exhaled in relief as they reached Malida’s tavern. She had assumed they would go around to the back entrance like they had previously, but Kai led them through the heavy wooden doors of the front entrance instead. She supposed their extra party members had something to do with it, especially Anna. Malida had made it quite clear she didn’t care for Anna.
Finn scanned the mostly empty room as they entered. She knew the establishment would fill up come evening, but it was still early enough in the day that few patrons filled the low chairs surrounding the round wooden tables. Her gaze moved next to the woman at the bar, not Malida, but her daughter. The girl’s eyes lit up as she noticed Kai, then narrowed into a glare as she spied Finn with her draconic bundle in her arms. Unperturbed, Kai and Finn moved toward the bar with Iseult in tow, while the rest of their party took up seats around a vacant table.
Malida’s daughter, whose name Finn had somehow never learned, glanced toward the occupied table, then flipped her dark brown hair over her shoulder as Kai, Iseult, and Finn approached. “My mother will not be pleased you’re back in Anna’s company,” she said, her gaze drifting to Kai as she slowly dried a pewter mug with a cloth.
“I’m sure she’ll change her mind after I explain a few things,” he replied. “Now where is she?”
Finn watched as the girl’s eyes narrowed once more, glancing between herself and Iseult, then back to Kai. “You know better than to ask for her whilst in the company of strangers.”
“They’re not strangers,” Kai sighed. “Is she in the back? I’ll go in alone.”
Finn tapped his shoulder, quite sure he was forgetting something important. Meeting his gaze, she glanced down at the bundle in her arms. The bundle that was beginning to squirm while emitting soft growls.
His eyes widened in realization. “Ah, yes,” he said, turning back to the girl, “Finn and I will go back. The rest will remain out here, though it’s likely they will want a hot meal.”
The girl scowled at Finn. “I thought her name was Breya,” she spat.
Finn’s eyes widened. She’d forgotten she’d gone by a false name the last time they saw Malida.
“Where is Malida?” Kai asked again, ignoring the girl’s comment.
The girl sighed, then gestured toward the end of the bar where there was a space to pass through. “She’s filling out her ledgers in the back.”
Iseult gently caught Finn’s arms before she could follow Kai toward the end of the bar. He didn’t need to speak to voice his concerns.
“It’s alright,” she assured, steadily meeting his gaze. “I trust Malida.”
He seemed to think about it for a moment, then nodded, though he was clearly not pleased.
Finn gave him a final reassuring smile, then followed Kai, clamping down on Naoki to keep her from breaking free of her bundle. The few midday patrons in the establishment were beginning to look at her strangely, and she wanted to be out of sight before the dragon burst forth and caused a commotion.
She hurried to the other side of the bar, then through a door Malida’s daughter had moved to unlock for them. As soon as the door shut behind them, Finn released her dragon, hoping Malida would not be too frightened when they found her.
Naoki scrambled across the wooden flooring of a long hallway, her talons clicking hollowly on the boards.
Kai watched the little dragon as she skittered up and down the hall, wanting to explore, but apparently afraid to go too far on her own. He turned, raising an eyebrow at Finn. “Now you see what I had to deal with the entire voyage to Migris?”
Finn rolled her eyes, blowing a stray lock of hair from her face. “She’s not that bad. It was likely difficult for her to be bundled up for so long.”
Kai snorted. “If you say so. Let’s find Malida.”
Finn nodded and followed Kai. Naoki was finally able to calm herself enough to prance by Finn’s side, though she chittered and nipped at Finn’s cloak as they walked, hoping for treats.
Kai reached the end of the hall, then took a right. Finn estimated they were somewhere near the main sitting room, though she’d never entered through the front side of the home. Reaching Kai’s side at the end of the corridor, she saw that her estimations were right. Malida sat on an overstuffed chair, hunched over a pile of parchment in her lap. Standing, the woman would barely reach Finn’s shoulder, which made her tiny, given Finn’s small stature. Though she was yet to look up from her parchment, Finn remembered her muddy brown eyes and hair, and a face that boasted numerous lines from years of laughter.
Kai cleared his throat, and Malida jumped, then glanced over at them with a hand held to her chest. “You scared me out of my wits,” she gasped. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you to knock before entering someone’s home?”
“Your daughter let us in,” Kai explained, stepping forward.
Naoki was staring warily in Malida’s direction, though Malida could not see her over the high-backed, padded bench blocking her view.
Malida gave Kai a final hard glare, then turned her suddenly kind gaze to Finn. “You, however, I am overjoyed to see.” She stood, grinning wide enough to showcase her few remaining teeth, then walked around the padded bench toward Finn.
Naoki chirped excitedly, and Malida jumped back. She lifted her arms as if afraid the dragon might attack. “What in the ancestors is that!” she shouted.
Kai hurried to the small woman’s side and gently took one of her arms. “It’s alright, this is Naoki,” he explained, gesturing toward the dragon with his free hand, “Breya’s . . . pet.”
Finn frowned at the renewal of her fake name, but she supposed it would save them some explanation . . . for now.
Naoki jumped up and down excitedly, but restrained herself at Finn’s side.
“She’s very friendly,” Kai added, a hint of sarcasm clear in his tone.
Malida seemed unsure, but bravely took a step forward, then crouched down to Naoki’s level. Taking this as some sort of signal, Naoki trotted forward and began prancing circles around Malida, clearly excited to have found a new friend.
Malida let out an uneasy chuckle, hesitantly patted the little dragon between her folded wings, then stood and approached Finn, wrapping her up in a hug.
Surprised by the sudden show of affection, Finn tensed, then relaxed into the embrace, hunching forward to put herself at Malida’s level.
“I’m glad you two are back together,” Malida muttered.
“Oh we’re not-” Finn began, pulling away from the hug.
“We’re working things out,” Kai interrupted, cautioning Finn with his gaze from behind Malida’s back.
Finn knew that Malida was touchy about who Kai brought into her home, so she just smiled and nodded. It seemed they’d be maintaining their previous ruse of husband and wife, though Finn would punch Kai right in the nose if he thought it meant he could walk in on her in the bath again.
Malida put her hands on her plump hips, narrowing her gaze. “Why do you two seem suddenly nervous?”
“We have a few extra companions this time around,” Kai explained, moving to stand by Finn’s side, wrapping a companionable arm around her. “Not that we would dream of asking you to extend the same hospitality to them as you have given us in the past.”
Finn fought the glare she wanted to give Kai, and smiled instead. “Yes, we were only hoping for a little help with Naoki. It’s difficult to keep her concealed fo
r long, and it would likely not go over well with her running freely in the streets. We’ll gladly offer you anything we can in return.”
Malida glanced at the dragon, who was now inspecting the rest of the sitting room, then nodded. “I suppose she can stay back here, as long as she won’t cause any trouble. The two of you will stay as well, of course, though the rest of your companions will need to find lodgings elsewhere.”
“Of course,” Kai agreed, before Finn could interrupt.
Though the comfortable bed and access to a nice hot bath were more than they’d likely find at any of the inns in the small port town, Finn was reluctant to accept Malida’s terms. Her primary concern was the injustice of leaving the others to lesser accommodations, especially Iseult, but there was also the discomfort of staying in a room with Kai once more. Though they had developed what could amount to a tense friendship, shared lodgings had not gone over well the last time.
Finn let out a long breath. “I am grateful for your hospitality, but I would not feel comfortable leaving behind our companions. There is a young lady in the group who I feel would not be entirely comfortable sharing lodgings with some of the others. Perhaps it would be better for only Kai to stay here with Naoki.”
Malida looked suddenly suspicious again, but nodded. “I will not force you to stay, as long as Kai is willing to watch over your . . . pet, but I do hope you’ll reconsider.” She looked Finn up and down, her eyes lingering on her breeches. “And I’ll find you a proper dress.”
“Oh that’s not-” Finn began to argue, loath to lose her breeches, but Kai stopped her with a look. “Thank you,” she said instead, grateful for Malida’s kindness, even if it was a bit misplaced. It seemed their problems had been solved, at least for a single night, dresses not withstanding.
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