Akna hadn’t unpacked much, and it turned out, neither had Felit?a, so packing everything back up again was a quick and easy task. Then she and Corvinian carted everything to the stables, which were a short distance down the road from the house.


    “At the moment, twenty-seven, including your two,” the stablehand said. That was much less than Akna had expected. “Though sometimes we can have as many as forty or more.” She was short—only a little more than five feet—and small of frame. Her black hair hung down over her shoulders. In some ways, she reminded Akna of Chica. Her coppery skin was darker than Chica’s had been and Chica had had much longer hair, but otherwise they were very similar. The similarity was cheering until Akna blinked and saw Chica’s head explode again.


    He responded similarly any time she told him off for his language. He knew she’d let him get away with it. She usually didn’t bother saying anything at all, as she didn’t really understand what Felit?a’s problem was. The only reason she said something now was to change the topic.


    Once they had the horses ready, Akna double-checked the Staff of Sestin was tied securely to Xoco’s side. Then they led the horses through the stables towards the exit to wait for Felit?a.


    “I…” This was awkward. “I don’t feel ready for that yet. I can’t really explain. Okay?”Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Harrick nodded. “I thought I’d walk you and Felit?a to your ship before I return to my own. If you don’t mind, of course.”


    Akna checked her spears and tightened the straps. Corvin often left them a bit loose. “Who?”


    “A friend of mine. My partner to be precise. We don’t get to spend a lot of time together. I’m either busy with my ship or with my family, and I can’t bring him to the house, so we have to take what time we have. But I also wanted one last chance to talk to Felit?a before you leave.”


    “Yes, but it’s a marriage of convenience. Gets our closed-minded families off our backs. That’s the idea at any rate. My relationship with Gusta is more an open secret, so not everyone will be fooled.”


    Harrick just wanted to engage in small-talk on the walk to the ship. He was mostly interested in Felit?a’s childhood away from the Arnorin Royal Palace. “Gabriella will be very disappointed in me if I don’t find out at least a little about you in your time here,” he explained.


    Felit?a was evasive in her answers, and when they met with Harrick’s partner where the road met the base of the cliff, she changed the conversation to how Harrick and Gusta had met—something Gusta was happy and eager to talk about.


    “Just two words,” Felit?a replied. “‘Be wary.’ It wasn’t even with me, and it was only for that moment. It’s back to calling my name now. But it started acting odd when we first got there. Kept yelling my name even louder and more vigorously than ever. Now we’re out of there, it’s calmed down. In fact, it hasn’t uttered a peep since I met back up with you at the stables. I don’t know what set it off, but I didn’t want to take any chances, not when there have been two attempts on your life already.”


    “I’m going to risk keeping the Staff in the hold with the horses. The extra distance might make it easier for me to sleep. I’m going to keep these in the hold too. I’m probably just being paranoid and they’re completely normal prayer beads, but I don’t want to risk keeping them on me in case Lord Padara really is up to something. I can’t ignore how nervous he was about me being there at that time.” Felit?a placed the necklace in her lap.


    “He has a tender heart, though he’d never admit it.” Felit?a snatched up the necklace, and went to where the Staff was lying under one of the cots. “I’ll take these to the hold. You two get some rest.”