“Is she nobility?”
“Gentry, I would say, but not by royal decree. The people of this village respected my father, and when he passed, they held the rest of us up in the same light, and it wasn’t just because his title had been inherited by my mother.”
“He must’ve been a good man.”
“The best, so they say.” He stood and gestured invitingly. “Care to see the place?”
She nodded and took his hand.
* * *
After Laren returned, and they’d enjoyed the fine meal that Filadrena cooked, Laedron stood from the table. “I think we’ll head over to the Revens’ house now.”
“Why not wait until tomorrow, Lae?” Ma asked. “It’s nearly dark.”
“No, I’d rather see him this evening. I can only imagine how hard it’ll be for him to sleep tonight, and I just want to assure him that his friends are there if we’re needed.” He kissed his mother on the head, took Valyrie’s hand, and promised his ma to be back soon.
Once outside, Valyrie asked, “How far is it, Lae?”
“Not far. A few minutes’ walk if we go by the old path.” He pointed out the variety of flowers and trees as they walked.
They passed the mill and approached Marac’s house, and he immediately noticed that only a single lantern had been left to burn in the kitchen window. “Strange.”
“What?”
“It would seem that they’re asleep.”
“Perhaps they don’t want to be disturbed. Should we turn back?”
“No. It’s Marac,” he said. “I can think of nothing that would make him want to be apart from me, but if he tells us to leave, then—and only then—will I do so.” He stepped up onto the porch and knocked.
After several minutes, Marac’s mother opened the door. “Yes?”
“My condolences on your recent loss, Mrs. Reven.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
“I wanted to see if Marac was all right. Could we see him?”
“Yes. Would you care to come in?”
“Thank you.” Laedron stepped through when Mrs. Reven stepped aside.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met your friend before,” Mrs. Reven said.
“Valyrie,” she said, extending her hand.
Marac’s mother embraced it. “Gloria Reven.”
“A pleasure to meet you.”
Laedron turned when he heard footsteps approaching from the hall, and he saw Marac come into the living room.
“Oh, Lae,” Marac wiped his hands and face with a towel, “I didn’t expect to see you today.”
“I heard what happened. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”
“As well as could be expected, I suppose. It’s still hard to believe.” Marac rubbed his eyes, obviously concealing a tear, then joined them near the door. “How is your ma?”
“She’s well. Do you need anything?”
“No, nothing.” Marac glanced at his mother. “I have everything I need.”
“If you should change your mind, you need only to call on me.”
Marac patted Laedron on the shoulder and opened the door. “I will.”
“Good.” Following Marac onto the porch, Laedron smiled. “We’ll see you tomorrow afternoon, right?”
“Of course, but I doubt I’ll drink anything.”
Laedron stared at him with curiosity, then started down the stairs, but he stopped when he saw someone walking up the path to the house. “Is that… what’s he doing here?”
Brice waved. “Marac, I just heard what happened. I’m so sorry.”
“It’ll be all right,” Marac said, holding up his hand. “We’ll have to find a way to make it through.”
“Well, my folks told me, and I had to come straight away. Are you well? Do you need—”
“No, no. Thank you for the offer.”
It’s good to see those two finally getting along. Laedron smiled. “See you tomorrow, my friend.”
“Until then.”
Laedron and Valyrie started down the path, and Brice asked, “Mind if I walk with you a while?”
“I’ve never objected before,” Laedron said.
Brice grinned. “So, I was thinking—”
“Oh, dear.”
Brice raised an eyebrow.
Laedron laughed and said, “Just kidding. What’s on your mind?”
“Are you going back to Westmarch soon? To help Victor?”
“I should think so.”
“When?”
“A week, maybe less. Why do you ask?”
“I want to go,” Brice said, then ducked his head. “That is, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“You do? Why?”
“I’m not cut out to be a sheep herder. My destiny lies somewhere on that horizon.” Brice gestured toward the distance. “I’ve tasted the adventuring life, and I want more.”
“Truly? I imagined you would’ve wanted to stay here, in safety.”
“No, it’s not the same now.” Brice stopped at the fork in the road. “And I promise not to complain or be afraid… well, I won’t tell you if I am, anyway.”
“All right. You can come with me if that’s what you want, but we’re all afraid sometimes. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Not Marac, though. He doesn’t get scared. Bravest man I ever knew.”
Laedron nodded. “Just as a knight should be. Brave and bold.”
“All the way until the end,” Brice said.
Casting his gaze toward Marac’s home in the distance behind them, Laedron smiled. “And after.”
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Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
The Immortals of Myrdwyer Page 25