“No.”
“Then how did he know your name?”
“Crystallese is a small kingdom,” I said. “And as you already said, I'm very good at my job.”
He was quiet for a moment. “That reputation could get you killed.”
“So could a lot of things.” I glanced at him sideways. “Try to look less like you're planning it at this very moment in time.”
His lips twitched. “I'm always planning something.”
“I know,” I said. “That's why I said it.”
He didn’t smile, and he didn’t relax, but with Nicco, that was enough.
We trekked through the snow, and soon, we came upon their small settlement. The word “settlement” was wrong. It wasn’t even a camp. Not really.
They had tents that were built low, dark, and integrated into the landscape rather than on top of it. They were made of animal hide and appeared to be lodged in place with packed snow, blending into the terrain until you got close enough to smell or see the smoke.
There were no signs of paths worn into the snow. People moved in different directions each time, so the trail couldn't be followed or mapped.
I counted about thirty people, maybe more. It was hard to tell because they kept moving, not in urgency but with the constant, restless efficiency of those who knew that standing still in this cold was a death sentence. There were children too, smaller than they should have been, doing things children their age shouldn't have to know. A girl was skinning something over a low fire without looking at it, her eyes on us instead. If she had seen seven summers, I’d have been surprised but she handled the knife with the skill of someone much older.
Nobody came forward to greet us. Nobody ran either. They simply watched, like animals, unafraid, unwelcoming, just gauging the distance to the nearest weapon.
These were people the kingdom of Crystallese had forgotten, or chosen not to see, and in turn they’d returned the favor.
“We’ll give shelter and water, food you can find for yourselves,” Vorn announced as he led us to two tents. “The girl stays with me.”
“I don’t fucking think so.” Nicco’s voice was as cold as the temperature.
Shit. I’d been afraid of this.
I looked at him, my eyes wide, trying to tell him to shut the fuck up. “I’ve got this,” I murmured. “Shutup.” I turned to Vorn. “The girl will stay with her company. It’s better this way.” I kept my voice steady. “I’ll ensure no one wanders in the night.”
Vorn sniffed, but his gaze was unwavering. “I mean you.Youstay with me.”
Oh. I hadn’t expected that. I thought he meant Larana.
I clucked my tongue. “Fine. But your hands wander, you’ll lose them.” I stepped forward, but a pull at my pack had me stumbling back a step.
“I said,I don’t fucking think so.” Nicco’s voice was as hard as steel. “Thegirlstays with us.”
Vorn’s head cocked to the side slightly. “You the reason she has a blade nick at her neck?”
Shades. I thought I’d covered it.
“I am.”
He didn’t even sound apologetic. Asshole.
Vorn held his hand out. “AsIsaid, your woman stays with me.”
“Nothis woman,” I told him, forcing myself free of Nicco’s hold. “It’s fine,” I assured Captain Marson as I walked past him. “We are welcome. They won’t harm us.”
I didn’t have time to explain and hoped to the gods that it was enough.
“Amarya.” Nicco’s voice held a warning note, and I turned back to look at him, surprised to see Baxley’s hand on his arm.
