Page 89 of The Seeker

I’d told Friar that I would visit my cousin, and I needed to resolve my animosity toward her.

I wouldn’t be able to move forward with my life otherwise.

Though it had been almost three fortnights now since the war between Ralheim and Malheim had come to an anticlimactic end, the route to the frontlines looked much the same as the one to Signa’s house. I frowned at the sight of weapons and armor protruding from the ground every so often, and I wondered if I could ask Friar to start clean-up efforts beyond the city proper.

Then I remembered that the land my horse was currently trotting on was Ralheim.

Never mind.

The morning ride was uneventful, but later in the afternoon, I panicked when the shapes of a small village rose on the horizon, until I remembered its name.

Bru. It was still standing.

Riding closer, I held my breath, wondering if it was worth asking after the woman and her son who I’d seen the year before. I dug in my memory, searching for their names.

The route I’d chosen was different than the one I’d taken as Otho’s spy, and I arrived in the town before I could locate Mela’s farm. Once I was in the center, I slid off Nala, leading her to the fountain for a drink while I investigated my options.

The last time I’d been here, I’d been tied to a pole and rescued shortly after (by the man who swore he wouldn’t be rescuing me), and I’d had very little time to evaluate what Bru had to offer. As it was, Bru was much smaller than Ralheim, more like the small mountain town we’d stayed in on the way to Shianp, and there was no obvious market, butcher, or anything that resembled a shop.

Rather, most of the buildings appeared to be homes, though there was one building labeled “Medicine.”

“Excuse me.” I tapped a man on the shoulder as he passed me, a sack of potatoes slung over his opposite shoulder. He was a hair shorter than me, but strong, carrying the potatoes with ease.

He paused his walking, giving me a once-over, a smile coming to his lips. I fought not to grimace, mostly because he appeared old enough to be my father. “Yes, miss?”

“Is there anywhere to purchase rations?” I’d taken a few coins from a jar Signa had kept in her cupboard for times like this.

He shook his head. “Afraid not, miss. Pretty much everyone left during the war. There’s only a few of us remaining now.” He motioned to the houses, but I didn’t see any other signs of life.

“Are Mela and Nil still around?” I asked, trying not to allow my hopes to rise. I did pack some rations that would feed me through the journey, but it would have been nice to purchase something as well.

“Afraid not, they left two seasons ago. Didn’t say where they were going. Maybe Salheim.”

I thanked him and remounted Nala. There was no reason to stay here any longer. Hopefully, Mela and Nil were living well, wherever they’d ended up.

“You could come to my place for some rations,” he offered, leaning against the wall of the home we were next to, probably trying to appear attractive. My dose of belladonna was so high now that I couldn’t feel his emotions, but I didn’t need to. I could interpret the expression on his face without it.

“No, thanks,” I said at the same time I dug my heels into the horse’s side, Nala galloping away from the town as if she too could feel the man’s malicious intentions.

When the town had first risen in my view on the horizon, I’d planned to stop near it for the night, but now I continued to urge Nala on, trying to put as much distance between us and Bru as possible.

I didn’t stop until the moons were high in the sky and Nala was breathing hard. I’d kept my ride near the edge of the trees, knowing there was less of a chance of finding water for Nala out in the open. Lucky for us, there was a small pond near where we stopped, and I allowed Nala to drink as I ate the jerky and fruit I’d packed myself.

Leaning up against a large pine tree, I tried to find a comfortable position to sleep in, but it was difficult. It had been hard to sleep with Sullie keeping watch on the road, but it was even more difficult to sleep knowing no one was keeping watch.

Despite that thought, I was eventually able to drift off, though I did not sleep deeply, and woke as soon as the sun rose.

The moment my eyes opened, my body filled with anxiety, and I knew I needed to pack up and be on my way, fast.

Nala was dozing next to the tree I’d tied her to the night before. I untied the knot slowly, trying to wake the horse without startling her.

“Well, well, well, look what we have here.”

My gaze snapped to the source of the voice.

Shit.

CHAPTER 30