“Well,” Thom said, “they’re always different.”
“And they’re always miserable,” Rafferty added.
“Lots of running, lots of fighting, and lots of wishing you were anywhere else,” Thom concluded.
Vayden smirked. “Sounds invigorating.”
“Quite so,” Thom muttered.
Rafferty sniggered at their sarcasm. “Your chances of dying—now, those are pretty high,” he said. “With your sword fighting skills and the fact that you’re non-magical, I’d give you a one in three odds against.”
“Hm. Not as bad as I would’ve expected.” Vayden stroked his jaw thoughtfully.
“I would’ve made them less, but I thought you could use the encouragement.”
“You have my sincerest gratitude.”
The smallest smile lifted the corner of Thom’s lips. “We’ll be all right,” he said. “Yes, they’re bad, but we’ve yet to lose anyone to them. Injuries are to be expected, but death... Our team has only increased in strength and numbers. We’ll be fine.”
Vayden gave an appreciative nod while Rafferty smirked. “That’s rather optimistic of you, Thommy,” he noted.
“I’m becoming a bloody fine man, and cynicism isn’t becoming,” Thom retorted. “Now, shut up or leave me alone. The mornings are meant for brooding, not conversation.”
Vayden and Rafferty laughed, then nudged their horses forward, leaving Thom to his desired isolation.
As they momentarily left the mountains behind, the terrain sloped down into a valley. Above them, the sky was a grand blue, the sun shining behind the scant clouds that darted around its face. Already, springtime had given Ephria a bright, cheery atmosphere, a stark contrast to the gloom of Wauld. The grass was a vibrant green, the trees lush and full of leaves, and the woodland creatures were active as they rode. Flocks of birds sailed overhead, heading north again after the harsh winter.
Thom had been stationed in the arid mountains of Ephria in his earliest days as a soldier. The culture within them was far more archaic than the lowlands, lingering in the old ways. The bygone clans of Allund still wandered within the mountainous region. The greater Ephrian nation no longer recognized them, but the people still wore their ancestral plaids and crest pins in enduring respect.
It always struck Thom that even a continent as small as the Isle of Allund could hold great variance among its people. Now that he knew Brea and Isla and was learning the culture and language of Schon through them, he had to wonder what other wonders Terraeus held.
As the morning wound on, Evylin dropped back to ride with him. With the sun high in the sky and its warmth on his face, he was happy to accept her ready conversation. They shared anticipation of returning to Loclight and their home, and Evylin asked about his and Deckard’s life there before she’d met them. Thom tried to give her what answers he could, but he couldn’t speak much about Deckard’s time in the city. While he knew his brother had been stationed in the capital on and off for several years, they’d never talked much about his assignments.
In fact, until just a few weeks ago, they hadn’t talked much at all since Deckard’s commission twelve years ago.
The revelation emphasized Thom’s need to prove himself. He knew Deckard didn’t require it. Buthefelt the need for it. His new purpose demanded that he rectify the mistakes of his past.
In the midst of their conversation, Ilain dropped back to join them. Her roan horse nickered softly on the other side of Evylin. “Might I interrupt?” she asked.
“You already have,” Thom noted.
Ilain hummed in mock amusement. “Well, if you don’t want me here, I can go. I just had a question, and you two are the only ones who can answer it.”
“We’d be honored to be of service,” Evylin said brightly.
“Don’t patronize me, Evie.” Ilain’s eyes glimmered with good humor. “I’m a woman on a mission at the moment.”
“And what mission is that?” Thom asked.
Ilain drew her shoulders back, looking straight at Evylin. “How did you get Jonn to kiss you?”
Evylin—and Thom—froze. “How did I—what?” she asked.
Ilain brushed her hand through the air flippantly. “Well, I know he’s the prudish sort, so I was wondering: How did you get him to kiss you?”
Thom screwed up his face in disgust. “AndwhydoIneed to be here for this conversation?” he asked.
“It’s the follow-up questions for which I require your masculine expertise.”
