Path of Fire (Saga of The Wolf Book 3)

by Kris A Hiatt

  “Do your parents live in Haven?”

  “No,” Treace said. “Now back inside.” He didn’t intend to be short with the man, but it just happened.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “That’s enough talk for one night.”

  ~~~

  “So where is he now?” Kiril asked after Treace relayed what happened last night.

  “Meeting with Exodin and Liernin. They wanted to assess his progress and pick his brain some more,” Treace replied.

  “At least you get some time away from him.”

  “Did I make the right decision in doing this?”

  “Of course you did,” she replied. “He hasn’t done anything that we know of and people have to see that. It’s just that…” she trailed off and didn’t finish her sentence.

  She was dodging something. She bit her lip, so he knew there was something on her mind. “It’s just that what?”

  “I just think I should stay with you from now on,” Kiril replied.

  “As much as I’d like that, I still don’t trust him enough to be around you while you sleep,” Treace told her.

  “Are you going to try to keep me off the battlefield too?”

  “That’s different and you know it.”

  “Is it? You think you’re protecting me, but all you’re doing is showing that you don’t believe in me.”

  “It has nothing to do with you. It’s him I don’t believe in, not you,” Treace argued.

  “And yet you don’t have a problem with Griffeth being in the same room. Or Moff. Or any other member of the pack. Just me.”

  Treace wanted to contradict what she said but found that he couldn’t. She was right. He had been sheltering her from any harm he thought Raythien may do to her.

  “Besides, if you don’t trust him around me, why should the pack trust him at all?”

  She was right again. By keeping her away it practically told the team he didn’t think Raythien was innocent. He wondered how the rest of the team felt knowing they were forced to sleep next to the man yet Kiril was tucked safely away in her own room. He wondered if Kiril felt as if she wasn’t a true member of the team. He knew he would need to show her that she was just as much a part of the team as the rest of them. To do that, he’d need to stop protecting her. The thought scared him, but the issue was with him, not her fighting skills. He’d have to learn to deal with it. It wasn’t fair to Kiril, or the rest of the team. “You’re right,” he told her. “You’re absolutely right.”

  “So then it’s settled. I’m staying with you and the pack from now on.”

  “Is that what you were so nervously biting your lip about, or was there something else?”

  “I wasn’t biting my lip,” she replied with a playful slap. “But I had to show you that for others to trust him, you had to first.”

  “You are amazing,” he told her, wrapping his arms around her.

  “You don’t have to keep telling me that, I can see it in your eyes,” she replied. “But it is nice to hear.”

  “See it in my eyes or read my mind?”

  “Thankfully that’s over,” she said, giving his shoulder another playful slap.

  Magically healing someone imparted a rudimentary connection between the two people. Usually the person who was healed had a general idea of the healer’s feelings. But Kiril was unique in that she could read the mind of a person after she healed them. It was odd to Treace, knowing that she could read what was in his mind. But he knew they probably wouldn’t be together if she hadn’t. Kiril had said it allowed her to see the type of person that he truly was. He wondered if Kint had the same ability as Kiril. If so, he hadn’t let on that he did. “Did you ever confess to your father about healing that boy?”

  “No and I don’t see a reason to.”

  He decided to leave it at that. He’d ask Kint about the subject later, leaving Kiril out of course. Assuming Kint wouldn’t have an issue with him after hearing his daughter was going to be sleeping in his bed. He didn’t suspect the team would have an issue with it, but Kint may. Most suspected that the two of them were intimate, but they were discrete about it. This would be a new level of openness. “How will your father take it? Us sleeping in the same bed?”

  “Who do you think suggested I bring it up to you?”

  “I’m trying not to think about how that came up in conversation,” Treace told her.

  “Easy. He said that two people who love each other shouldn’t be sleeping in different beds.”

  “I didn’t think he’d approve.” Apparently Kint wasn’t going to have an issue after all.

  “Because we aren’t married?” Kiril asked.

  There came a knock at the door.

  “Saved by the knock!” Treace said softly.

  Kiril frowned and paused a moment. To Treace it looked like she was going to ignore whoever it was at the door. But then she spoke up.

  “Who is it?” Kiril asked.

  “Sorry ma’am, but I’m looking for Treace.”

  Treace shook his head indicating that he didn’t know who it was either. It was too soon for Liernin to be finished with Raythien. He got up and opened the door. “What is it?”

  “Sir, the baron is asking for you.”

  Snow clung to the man’s hair and the parts of his armor that weren’t metal. His breastplate was wet from melting snow. Treace hoped it would stop soon. It was a cold and long winter. He didn’t mind the cold so much as he knew it would be difficult on the men to train with all the snow. There was more than a foot on the ground. “I’ll be right there.”

  The man nodded and took his leave.

  “I wish we had longer,” Kiril whispered in his ear when he hugged her goodbye.

  “I thought we would have,” Treace told her. “I guess their conversation wasn’t as good as I hoped.”

  “What were you hoping for?”

  “I don’t know. I just wanted it to take longer. It’s nice to be able to spend time away. Especially when it’s with you.”

  “Go,” Kiril instructed. “You don’t want to keep the baron waiting.”

  “I do want to keep the baron waiting,” Treace replied with a wink that Moff would have been proud of. “But I won’t.”

  She kissed him and pushed him out the door.

  ~~~

  Treace shook the snow off of his cloak as best as he could before he entered the building. The light snow that had started last night turned out to be the precursor of a much more potent snow storm that had lasted the entirety of the day and didn’t look like it was going to let up. He stamped his feet to clear his boots and legs. He brushed off his shoulders as he walked down the hall.

  He rounded the corner and noticed a familiar face standing guard at the door. “Hello Com—” Treace began, forgetting for a moment that the man before him was no longer his commander. “Hello Tabor.”

  “Treace,” Tabor greeted as he approached.

  “How have you been, sir?”

  “No need to call me sir anymore. You technically outrank me,” Tabor told him in not quite unfriendly tones.

  “You may no longer be my commander,” Treace explained. “But you’ve earned my respect as one.”

  Tabor didn’t reply but the man did offer a genuine smile. Treace took that as his thanks.

  “Good news, bad news I’m afraid,” Tabor told him, opening the door.

  Once inside, Treace found Drevic, Liernin, Exodin, and Primain all standing around a table quietly discussing something or other. He couldn’t make out what they were saying, but their faces were grim. He was glad that Primain, his old sparring partner and fellow guard, was given command of a unit within the ranks as well.

  “Ah, here you are,” the baron told him.

  “What have I missed?”

  “Still hasn’t let up I see,” Drevic pointed out after looking at Treace. He then set his gaze upon Liernin. “Perhaps it would be in our best interest if we waited it out?”

  “A d
ay or two wouldn’t matter I suppose,” Liernin conceded.

  “Treace,” Exodin said, drawing his attention. “We’re sending you and the pack to the posts in the south. We want you to spend a few days at each one. If there’s any changes you think needs to be made, make them. Most of all, talk to them. Make sure they know how important of a job they have.”

  “A few days at each one?” Treace asked. “That’ll take weeks.” Spring wasn’t yet here, but if he had to spend that much time at each of the posts, it wouldn’t be far off by the time he returned.

  “And I wouldn’t send you if I didn’t feel it was important,” Liernin explained.

  There was something he was missing. Certainly the men and women in the posts had an important job. They patrolled the border and reported back any activities or movement from Shamir’s forces. As soon as they noted Shamir’s forces moving north, they were to pack up and immediately vacate. Most would return to Haven, but some would stay and work as advance scouts, relaying information on the enemy’s forces. Liernin had numerous scouts that travelled back and forth, but the troops stationed at those posts in the south were the permanent eyes and ears. Every few days a scout would take a report and return with it to Liernin. He didn’t get why he was needed there at all.

  “How many people did you see and talk to while you were patrolling as a guard here?” Exodin asked.

  “Many,” Treace replied, not sure of what that had to do with this.

  “And how many do you think those guarding the posts see and talk to on theirs?” Exodin asked.

  Of course. He understood now. Those at the posts did have an important job, but as much as it was important, it was also boring. They’d been out there for months on their own with only a handful of others to talk to besides the scout that took their reports every few days. He doubted there was anything of note to see on their patrols right now. It was probably so boring they were just walking the route without actually paying attention. Their morale had to be low, given the circumstances. But soon there would be something of note and they had to be prepared for it. If they weren’t, they’d most likely be overrun and their lives would be lost. They were most likely going to be outnumbered, so the morale of the men was going to be key. That and every extra day of preparation for Shamir’s advance was crucial. “I’ll ensure they understand their role.”

  “It doesn’t hurt that they get a visitor as famous as you either,” Exodin stated.

  Treace didn’t feel as if he was famous. Even if he was, he didn’t earn it. Sure, he knew he was talented and a great fighter, but most people believed he single handedly killed dozens of men during his escape from prison. He’d heard varied versions of the story, most of them were grossly embellished.

  “We’ll send you with extra provisions,” Drevic told him. “I’m sure they could use them.”

  “You won’t be able to take all of your team,” Exodin explained. “The posts weren’t built to house but a few more than what are already stationed there. I’d say you and two others at most. Even then it would probably be tight. I’m sure they’ve settled in quite well already and space will be at a premium.”

  Treace quickly thought of who he’d take with him. He wanted Kiril to go, but he also didn’t want to pull her away from her father. He thought of their earlier conversation and decided it best to leave the decision up to her. If she did go, that meant he only had room for one other. He assumed that would be Raythien since Liernin and Exodin hardly let him out of Treace’s sight. He understood that it was his request his allow Raythien to be out of his cell, but the fact that they made Treace stick to it was irritating. He had hoped that as time passed they would see he wasn’t a threat and leave him be. Even if they wanted to keep an eye on him, why did it have to be Treace? As if no one else was fit to watch the man? Treace understood that they didn’t want to take unnecessary risks, but they were being unreasonable with the way they were handling Raythien. That made him realize that he hadn’t seen the man yet. Where was he? He was supposed to be talking to the baron. “Where’s Raythien?”

  “Back in a cell where he belongs,” Primain explained.

  “Until we decide what to do with him while you’re gone,” Exodin added quickly.

  “So you aren’t going to let him freely walk as he chooses?” Treace asked the baron. He hoped the man would have taken his advice. It sounded as if he did not.

  “I know that is your wish,” Liernin replied. “And I have considered it. He seems genuine, but I’m not taking any chances at a time like this.”

  “He’s done nothing wrong since he’s been here,” Treace protested.

  “Which is why we’ll consider multiple options while you’re away,” Exodin told him.

  “He can go with me,” Treace suggested. Why not? He was under his watchful eye up until this point.

  “I think not,” Liernin replied.

  “The baron is right,” Exodin agreed.

  Treace looked to Drevic for help. The soft-hearted man had to see that keeping Raythien imprisoned was wrong.

  “I’m afraid they are correct,” Drevic told him through a sigh. “I’ll do what I can to ensure he’s treated fairly.”

  Liernin visibly stiffened at Drevic’s response. Treace pictured Raythien hanging from a noose and it sent shivers down his spine. Would they actually do that? Exodin did say that they’d consider multiple options. What’s to consider?

  “Not that I’m saying you’d do otherwise,” Drevic said to the baron.

  “Wait this snowstorm out before you leave,” Exodin instructed. “After you decide who goes with you, have the others report to Primain. They’ll be assigned to him in your absence.”

  Treace nodded but made no reply. He didn’t want to get himself into trouble by arguing further. He offered the slightest of bows and took his leave.

  ~~~

  “Did you get what I asked for?” Treace asked Moffred two nights from then.

  Moff had just joined Treace and Kiril in her room inside the priory. Snow covered Moffred’s attire, which was a clear indicator that it hadn’t completely stopped, but it didn’t matter. He was confident it would soon.

  “Just because I don’t agree with your plan doesn’t mean that I am any less good at what I do.”

  “So you got it all then?” Treace pressed.

  “Yes,” Moffred hissed. “Though why I’m going along with this I’ll never know.”

  “Because you’re a good man,” Kiril told him.

  After Treace told her of his new orders, she insisted she be one of the ones to travel with him. He was glad to hear it, but he had another plan he hoped she’d be just as quick to go along with. She was, and he loved her all the more for it. Moffred on the other hand, said the only way he’d go along with the plan is if he got to go too. Otherwise, he was telling Liernin. Treace wasn’t going to involve him at first, but it was easier for Moffred to get what he needed with fewer questions. So he, Moff, and Kiril were all set. They were about to get their final traveling companion and be on their way.

  “I’ve already agreed to it, you don’t need to butter me up,” Moffred replied.

  “You two take the horses out the southern exit. It’s cold and dark. I doubt anyone will see you let alone ask questions. We’ll meet you there shortly,” Treace instructed.

  Kiril nodded and kissed him briefly. “Good luck!”

  “Where’s my good luck kiss?” Moff asked.

  Kiril grinned mischievously and kissed Treace again. “That’s from Moff.”

  “I’m actually disturbed by that,” Moffred told them.

  “Go,” Treace bade them even though he was smiling widely.

  He paused for a few moments to collect his thoughts. He knew what he was about to do was risky, but he didn’t care. It had to be done. He steeled himself and left the room.

  “Do I want to know what the three of you are up to?” Drevic asked from a nearby shadowy pillar.

  Treace thought about coming up with a story bu
t decided he wasn’t going to lie to the Archbishop. “No, you don’t. I’m not going to lie to you, Drevic. So I’m just not going to say anything at all.”

  “I’ve always respected you for that,” Drevic told him.

  “For what?”

  “Your willingness to be honest, no matter the circumstances. You could have lied to me about what you’re doing. But you didn’t.”

  Treace simply nodded.

  “If I were to follow you, would it deter you from what you’re about to do?”

  “You’d make it more difficult, but it wouldn’t stop me,” Treace told him.

  “I suppose I’ll just return to my room then,” the Archbishop told him. “I wouldn’t want to make things difficult for you.”

  “Thank you, Drevic,” Treace told him. Something gave him the impression that Drevic knew exactly what he was up to. The fact that he wasn’t going to interfere solidified Treace’s decision. Then it occurred to him that it was odd that the Archbishop was awake well after midnight. “What are you still doing up anyway?”

  “I just came from speaking with Kint,” Drevic explained. “He’s not very excited that Kiril’s leaving, but he understands. More importantly, he trusts you.”

  “Which still doesn’t explain why you’d be here,” Treace reasoned. “Were you here for me, or for Kiril?”

  “Ever the bright one,” Drevic mused. “I saw the light under the door and thought I’d ask if she was certain of her decision. It appears that she is and that you’re leaving. I suppose I should congratulate you now, too.”

  “She is,” Treace replied immediately. “And congratulate me on what?”

  “Magister Treace,” Drevic said slowly. “It has a ring to it doesn’t it?”

  “You’re making me a magister?”

  “No,” Drevic argued. “You are making you a magister. You’ve earned it. We didn’t think making you wait for your return was the right thing to do, so we were going to tell you in the morning. But if I don’t miss my guess, you won’t be here then.”

  “I thought Kint said I had a ways to go before he’d say I’d mastered the Path? What changed his mind?” Treace asked, not willing to give away that Drevic was right about him not being here in the morning.