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“Those blades were forged by a blacksmith I know. I recognized his signature on the hilt when you held it to my throat.” His hand touched the nick on his neck. “No one in Ilrek, besides a Roav, would bethatskilled with a dagger.”
I couldn’t help the small swell of pride in my chest at the compliment. I nodded my head in admission.
“How do you know the blacksmith?” I asked.
“I’m a blacksmith too. I apprenticed under him, for a time, several decades ago.” Njall’s smile nearly beamed.
“I take it you’re a fire wielder, then?” It was common for blacksmiths to be fire wielders, having to work with the element in order to forge the metal. It was how I met Cade a few years back.
Njall nodded.
That explained the lack of clothing. Fire wielders ran hot, but without his fire I wondered if he’d regret his lack of clothing once night fell.
He cleared his throat. “Anyway, I figured we could work together, help each other out.” He must have sensed my lingering apprehension. “I won’t hurt you.”
“You said you only wanted to get out here alive. You don’t want to be Worthy?” I cocked my head to the side. I didn’tbelieve that he wasn’t interested in being powerful with the way he honed his body.
“No. I’d rather not.” He shook his head.
“Why not? Don’t you want to be spiritually enhanced and be granted powerful magic?” My curiosity got the better of me.
“I really don’t. I have no desire to become a Lord, let alone fight one. I just want to survive so I can go home and live out my life in peace.”
I didn’t expect that. I hadn’t even considered that another contestant wouldn’t want to be Worthy, to be granted such great power. But I understood it. Fighting a standing Worthy, one of the five most powerful fae in the world, was no easy task.
I had almost forgotten about the challenges. The Worthy had to continually prove themselves every century, even after their own Trials ended, until they died or were defeated. People were fools to think that being chosen was the end to this.
I eyed Njall carefully.
He wasn’t wrong that we could help each other, and without my terbis, I could use the help. I promised Malina I’d do whatever was necessary to survive.
I released a sigh. “Alright. We can work together. But remember my warning, if you ever attempt to betray me in any way.”
I would keep an eye on him. If he did anything questionable, I’d just kill him. String him up with my rope and leave him for the creatures of the forest.
I replaced my bow across my back, then walked over to the dead male and started rummaging through his pockets for anything useful. I took the matches, dried meat, and a canteen of water.
“We need to get higher to get an idea of where we are.” I turned back to Njall and motioned to the top of the hill.
Njall smiled, his arms crossed across his chest. “I’m on it. See? I can be helpful.”
I rolled my eyes. It wasn’t like I couldn’t have climbed the damned tree myself.
He walked to the nearest tree, hoisted himself up the trunk, and climbed to the lowest branch. My mouth fell open at the ease with which he moved up through the branches—and the impressive view I had from below. I kept watch on the ground while he made his assent. His large body was hidden by the leaves as he continued to the top. I leaned against the base, propping one foot on the trunk with my knee bent, and waited for him to climb back down.
After several minutes, I heard him descending the massive tree, branches groaning under his weight. He jumped down from the lowest branch and I could feel his body land—even without my abilities. I pushed off the trunk and approached him as he bent down and pulled out a knife. He brushed away fallen leaves and began carving in the dirt with the blade.
“It looks like we’re near the south side of the Woltawa Forest, here.” He circled an area where he drew a bunch of symbols for trees. “It ends just at the base of the mountain, on the northern end of the island. I couldn’t see a water source from the tree but from the aerial view I saw before I landed here, I noticed one cutting through here.” He pointed to a squiggly line in the dirt map. “I’d guess it would take us a few hours to walk there. As long as we don’t run into trouble along the way.”
“Let’s hope we don’t,” I said, extending a hand to Njall which he took with a smile as he stood. Not that I could actually help him up with how big he was. “I suggest we get moving. I don’t want to be wandering around at night with the nocturnal beasts out.”
“Agreed,” he replied hastily and pointed in the direction of the river.
Watching him from the corner of my eye, we walked side-by-side in silence for several minutes, taking in oursurroundings and looking for threats, winding through the forest. I was grateful for the pleasant temperature. I listened to the wind as it rustled the leaves above us and the birds’ songs as they echoed through the trees. I loved being amongst the trees, the smell of the bark and the moss-covered ground calmed me, even in my unnerving situation.
“That was smart of you to write down the riddle. But whose blood is that?” His voice lowered to a hush as he gestured to my blood-covered arm. His face had contorted into a grimace.
“Don’t worry, it’s mine. I didn’t want to forget it. One missed word could change the entire meaning.”
