“That’s exactly why we have to do it in stages,” I countered. “The Skorn will be a distraction.”
Seth stopped pacing. His frown deepened, but he nodded once. “It’s risky.” Seth glanced at Tara and Amahle. “And you’ll help Seren find Esme after the trial?”
“Probably during the trial.” Tara studied the backs of her fingernails with a disaffected air that I’d come to admire in Rykr as well. I envied their poise.
Hopefully, between them, Thorne, and Father, they’d be able to locate Esme and rescue her, but Rykr and I would still need to kill Haldron. Another thing we couldn’t afford to reveal to Seth and Darya. They might be furious with us later for keeping it from them, but that would be a problem for later.
Darya stood and moved to a trunk by the wall in their room. Kneeling, she retrieved a wooden scroll case. “This holds a map of all the known secret passageways of Emberstone,” Darya said, holding the scroll out to Tara. “It won’t help you find Esme, but it may give you a way out of the city without being seen.”
I fought to keep my jaw from dropping. She was just giving it to us?
“Thank you,” Tara said, grasping her by the forearm. “I won’t forget this. You have my gratitude and my debt.”
Darya’s eyes were wide and solemn. “I know that’s not a small thing. The Ragnalls keep their oaths.”
“Will you lead the tribe out of Emberstone?” I asked Seth. He’d been watching quietly, his handsome face more relaxed now. Darya’s influence seemed to be softening his resistance.
“I’m not certain if this is the best decision for the tribe.” Seth’s brow creased with worry. “But if Haldron has overreached in this manner, something needs to be done about it. I’ll try to summon the council—see if there’s a precedent for this. I worry about leading us out at night with nowhere to go.”
Darya nodded then set her hand on his arm. “There may be a way to get some of the people out of Emberstone before the Skorn—the frailest and most wounded—but we’ll need Lucia Ragnall. She’s one of the best healers we have. We might find shelter in nearby villages for the night, then begin searching for a new encampment.”
Amahle stepped toward Seth. “You know how the tribes work. They respect strength. The strongest tribes get the best encampments, the best outfitted Vangar, more power in trade deals. We chose you as our waldren because you can lead us to greatness. Haldron’s actions didn’t just endanger and threaten the Ragnalls, it was an attack on our whole tribe. He violated our borders in a way that could have been deadly for any of us.”
Maybe it should have been me pleading and trying to get Seth to see reason, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Yet, as I saw the doubt flicker on Seth’s face, I remembered the man I’d once loved. The way he’d dreamed of what he might accomplish for our tribe. I’d been young and naive but listening to him had made me hopeful.
He’d told me not so long ago that he’d even sacrificed us for the love of our tribe.
“Please, Seth,” I said at last, cutting through the tense silence. “I know you love our tribe fiercely. Don’t let the sacrifices you’ve made for it be in vain.”
He flinched and met my gaze.
I’d never forgiven him, and he hadn’t asked for it.
But maybe it was what we needed to move forward. Maybe not as friends—that would never be possible—but as allies for the same cause.
“I don’t fault you for your choices,” I added in a soft voice. Maybe Darya would think I meant the flogging and sentencing to the Skorn, but it didn’t matter.
If Seth hadn’t chosen Darya, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with Rykr—my soulmate.
Even if he might not be mine forever.
I knew now that I had loved. Truly. Deeply. Everything I’d had with Seth had paled in comparison.
Seth exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t like this.”
He met my gaze, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, I thought he would refuse. That he’d walk away, leaving us to handle this alone.
Then, finally, he sighed. “All right. We’ll do what we can.”
“You have our word,” Darya added with a taut smile. “Solric protect you during your trial, Seren.”
I thanked her. “Where will you be taking the sick and wounded before the trial? I’d like to say goodbye to my mother before I present myself.”
“Go past the west gate and look for a tavern called the Ruby Rose. I’ll have her wait in the alley behind it for you,” Darya said. “About an hour before sunset. That should leave you time to get to the keep and present yourself for the Skorn.”
I nodded, then left with Tara and Amahle, exiting back into the corridors. As we reached the main chamber again, I caught sight of my destitute tribe and desperation gripped my chest. Despite Seth and Darya’s assurances, I couldn’t help worrying that my actions tonight might cost them even more than I already had.
Please gods, just let this work.
