“There is that,” Forterran said as he eased his foot out in front of him. “I know your loyalty to Kara, but you risk much, staying here. We could do an early termination of the agreement with a clause that indicates you will serve only the Guild.”
Ritathan opened his mouth but Forterran raised his hand. “Take shelter in the Guild Hall. Claim the girl as apprentice formally and spend the next few years teaching her.” Forterran looked pensive. “You could even train to replace me as Guildmaster.”
“Please,” Ritathan smiled, echoing his friend. “Can you imagine? We’d end up with mage wars within the halls, smoke and fire from every window.”
“Very well.” Forterran sighed in resignation and then frowned. “Their majesties also wanted to know the cost of a portal, since you cannot cast for them.”
“A portal?” Ritathan puzzled over that. “Where to?”
“The Black Hills,” Forterran said.
“Why?” Ritathan rubbed his chin. “There’s naught out there but bandits calling themselves rebels.”
“Probably to seek marble for Xyrath’s newest obsession. He wants a life-sized statue of himself as the conquering warrior. Naked of course.” Forterran’s grin was malicious. “Can you imagine? The entire court ogling his bits?” He chuckled. “At least, that’s got his mind off atira blades. Man bounces from one obsession to another.”
“You are the worst gossip I know,” Ritathan said.
“I don’t gossip.” Forterran raised his eyebrows in all innocence. “I listen. And I made no comment as to their reasons, just made sure their majesties knew the cost of a portal was high. I thought of a price and then trebled it. It would not serve for them to think it cheap or easy, or that the Guild is at their beck and call.”
“Dangerous,” Ritathan said. “Should they learn of your secret taunts.”
“Dangerous?” Forterran shook his head. “So is your path, staying here, pissing them off. Know that as Guildmaster, I do not approve.”
“So noted,” Ritathan nodded. “If something happens to me—”
“When.” Forterran said pointedly.
“When,” Ritathan accepted the correction. “See to her, would you?”
“Better if you survive,” Forterran said.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Ritathan smiled. “Shall I send for beer before you go? They stock fine ones here.”
Forterran groaned.
Chapter Seventeen
“Go,” Orval told Amari. He kept his smile firmly in place, determined not to let his nervousness show. “We’ll be fine.” He held Dalan to his shoulder, patting his back.
“You’re sure?” Amari’s forehead puckered. She stood in the kitchen, resisting Winter’s efforts to wrap her in Orval’s warmest cloak. “We could get one of the laundresses, or one of Winter’s—”
“Orval will be fine,” Winter said firmly. “The twins are both fed and Lara’s already asleep. Orval will watch over them. We’ll not be gone that long.”
“I’ll change Dalan and put him down,” Orval said, ignoring the flutter in his stomach and assuming all the competence he could muster. “You’ll be back before they wake, if you leave now.”
Amari clutched her cloak and looked at him with anxious eyes. “But—”
“You need something nice for the Walk to the Well,” Orval said. “And we’ve coin enough. Winter knows where to go and drives a hard bargain.”
“And you’ve not been out of this hovel since you arrived.” Winter said.
“Hovel?” Orval sputtered at his landlady, which made Amari smile, as he intended. “I’d point out it’s a hovel we rent from you, madam.”
Winter waved him off with a dismissive “pfft” and urged Amari to the door. “We’ll have the guard that goes with us carry packages.” She gave them both a wicked smile. “If Ussin’s hovering, we’ll make him come. Serve him right to have to go clothes shopping.”
Amari laughed, casting a worried glance back at Orval as the door closed. He smiled and waved and nodded reassuringly.
The latch clicked and he was left to his doom.
