Bryn shrugs. ‘We’ll all get what we want.’
‘Indeed,’ Gwen mutters a bit sardonically. 'Anyway, I came here because I need supplies. I'm running low on several herbs as I don’t run the apothecary anymore, and Tavish won’t sell to me now. Sorry about that, by the way, Jak. I would have told you I was leaving if I could have.'
'Not to worry, I have Bryn to help,' I say. 'Though you are sorely missed. As are Grim and Drakar.'
Gwen nods. 'It's unfortunate that we had to go, but when a brick was thrown through our window?—'
‘Gods, Gwen.’ My eyes widen. 'I didn't know.'
'It was during the autumn. Shattered, it was. After that, I felt, as did Drak and Grim, that it was time for us to move on. The tide here has changed. It's a darker place since all that trouble. Things haven't been the same, and they're just getting worse.'
'So, you moved to the next valley?' I ask.
She nods. 'Quite a nice glen. Low down. Close to the river. Should be spared the worst of the winter cold. Come visit us if your fae masters in the Underhill will allow it.'
I snort. ‘I’ll find a way out.’
'You’re always welcome.'
I nod. ‘Thank you.'
'Bryn, it was lovely to have met you,' Gwen says. 'I look forward to welcoming you to our home.'
She turns, but then hesitates. She takes Bryn’s hand. ‘As one former Dark Realm slave to another…don’t let the freefolk treat you badly. Don’t just bear what they give you because you’re so grateful to be here.’
‘I won’t,’ Bryn whispers.
She stares after Gwen as she leaves. 'She knew The Barrack.’
'Aye. Gwen was a slave in Rondorai, a town in the Eighth Circle, all her life. She escaped her master when he turned on her and happened upon Drakar, who was in need of a healer for Grim. Gwen’s master had been a healer, so she knew much of the art, as you do. She helped them, and they made their home here. They started this place, as you may already know. And when Lia found her way here, they created Halsford together with the Underhill.'
Bryn looks down at what she's doing and keeps filling the vials.
'And then the home they built here was stolen by the politics and games,' she says quietly.
‘I suppose it was.’
‘More unfairness,’ she mutters.
There’s a knock at the outer apothecary door. It’s not locked, so I go out to see who’s there.
Morgan’s standing in the street.
‘Why didn’t you just come in?’ I ask.
Without a word, he hands me a small piece of parchment. ‘That was slipped under our door.
I read it and my heart sinks. The reprieve is over.
‘Tomorrow,’ I mutter, looking across the room where I can just see Bryn concentrating on what she’s doing.
‘Aye.’
‘And there’s no way out of it? Locke can’t speak to Dane…’
‘He already tried,’ Morgan states. ‘Calder knows there’s no point in making her train with Voss, not really. He’s doing it because he can, to spite her and us.’
I let out a sigh. ‘Voss will have to keep to the same rules as he must with his fae students at least.’
