Dust gave a nod.
“They’ll know you there?” Vren asked.
Dust nodded again.
“I’ll see to him, then, if you think it best.” Vren’s breath hung in the air. “I’ll wrap him up and gather his things and we can take them both to the village. There’s enough daylight left that we can risk the road.”
Dust held the reins, letting the horse reach fresh browse as Vren wrapped the body and gathered up the gear. It took some doing, with the horse jerking away at every chance, but Vren managed to heave the body over the saddle. He didn’t bother with the saddle bags, just threw them over his own shoulder.
The vore wasted no time tugging the horse toward the road. The horse was not thrilled, but it seemed more than willing to go where Dust wished once they took to the road. Vren stayed back, keeping his distance.
The village was fair-sized and seemed to be shutting down for the night.
“Wait, Dust.” Vren stood in the shadows and unstrapped the baby sling from his chest. The doll was worse for wear, but still held together. He placed it in his pack. “Ready.”
Dust trotted ahead, into the cobbled yard of the inn.
Vren got the attention of the stable-boy, whose eyes went wide at the sight of the body. The boy ran for the Innkeeper as Vren waited in the yard.
“What’s this then?” The innkeeper was a tall, skinny fellow; he’d brought two men-servants with him. “Who are you?”
Vren opened his mouth as Dust pushed forward, and gave a bark.
“Dust!” The innkeeper went to one knee. “Well, that’s all right then.” He scratched Dust’s ruff and looked at Vren. “She’d not be with ya if you’d killed him.”
Vren nodded. “Found him dead, with his horse fighting his ties. Dust wanted him brought here. You know him?”
“Bring a torch, lads,” the innkeeper said, getting to his feet with difficulty. “Damned knees,” he muttered as they brought the light and he pulled up the corpse’s head. “Aye, that’s Widow Harris’s oldest. Went off to fight for King Xywellan, Lord of Light and Lady of Laughter hold him close.”
“So you’ve had the news?” Vren asked.
“Aye.” The innkeeper shook his head. “Not good news, to my way of thinking.” he said glumly.
“War never is,” Vren said.
“Aye, well, you and Dust come in to the kitchen and get warm. Give ya a bed and a meal as thanks for bringing him home. There’ll be sorrow, but there will be certainty too. We’ll take him the rest of the way and break the news.” The tall man gestured and the other two took charge of the horse and body. Vren offered them the saddle bags, which they accepted.
“We can pay our way,” Vren offered as they watched the sad procession leave.
Dust huffed.
“Reckon I can afford ta feed a skinny one like you on my own coin—and your human,” the innkeeper said, laughing at his own joke. He started toward the door, where light and heat spilled out onto the cobblestones. “Dust, I know. What did you say your name was, lad?”
“Dithen,” Vren said.
“I’m Ian. Come tell us your news, Dithen, and we’ll share what we know. There’s been little news of the war so far, and yours will be the first that we trust. Let’s keep ya in the kitchen for now. You can eat while I gather a few that need ta listen. Lissa,” he bellowed. “Dust is here, with a guest.”
Lissa, who turnedout to be Ian’s wife, fed them both and kept the curious out of the kitchen until they’d had their fill. Then she ushered them into the main room, where Vren found himself facing the Mayor and what had to be most of the adults in the town. Lissa made Ian move over on his bench and settled herself down beside him.
Dust sat with her back to the fire as the townspeople looked at Vren expectantly.
He spread his hands wide. “I’m afraid I have not much more to tell you. When we left, King Xywellan was dead and Queen Kara had just been defeated in the field before Edenrich. I’m sure that Xyrath and Satia have since taken the throne.”
“Well, that’s an ill wind,” Ian said and heads nodded all around.
“Any word of Queen Mother Tithanna?” asked another. “Now there was a Queen, mind you, took care of all the folk, not just the rich.”
“No,” Vren answered. “I’d heard no word other than that she was in the castle, awaiting the outcome.”
