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I nod to Lady Edrys, still uncertain of her thoughts about me.

“Does she always speak so little?” I whisper as we head into the forge.

“To strangers, aye.”

Of course I am a stranger, and in most villages, outsiders are met with mistrust and unease. But I don’t want to be a stranger to Aedre, or to those she holds dear.

“Ahh, Lord d’Abella.”

Aedre gives the hammer to a young man, presumably the smith’s apprentice, as her father wipes his hands on the front of his apron.

“I’ve finished your sword.” He walks around us and, picking up my new weapon, hands it to me.

The pattern-welded core with welded-on cutting edges, typical of a Voyager sword, is the reason I asked for it to be made. Well, one of them.

“A fine sword indeed.” I turn it over in my hand. “Your craftsmanship would be most desired in the capital. The master smith there is old, his hands feeble. His apprentice is young and not so skilled.”

Aedre and her father exchange a glance that I don’t quite understand.

Instead of guessing at its meaning, I set the sword aside and pull out the coin purse I’d prepared. Handing it to Master Dal, I’m surprised when he pushes it back toward me.

“Nay, I will not take your coin.”

I look at Aedre, but she seems as surprised as I am.

“I do not understand,” I say, attempting to give it to him again.

A shadow crosses the smith’s face. Anger, barely concealed.

“Aedre told me about your conversation with Father Beald.”

“I didn’t take kindly to his threats. Nor would King Galfrid.”

I want this man to trust me. Mayhap even like me. So I nod to the apprentice, and Aedre’s father sends him off on an errand. Once the three of us are alone, I tell him what I confessed to Aedre, from the tragedy of the ship sinking to the threat posed by the king’s nephew. And of course, to the role Kipp plays in all of it.

“He will not go with you.”

Aedre gives me a Did I not say so already? look.

“If he does not, Galfrid will be forced to name another as heir. But I fear even the best of men will not be accepted before his own nephew.”

“Especially since the church is backing him,” Aedre adds.

“Aye.”

I can tell from his expression Aedre had not yet relayed this information to her father.

“You came a long way, my lord, for little gain.”

His words echo his daughter’s, but my response is the same.

“He must.” I try one final time to hand Master Dal the coin, but he pushes it back.

“You’ve given my family a great boon, if indeed the Elderman will stay away. Keep your coin.”

I pick the sword back up, thanking him again for such fine craftsmanship.

“I wish you luck on your quest. Aedre can no doubt arrange a meeting, but do not expect Kipp to answer with anything but contempt.”

She already has agreed to do so, and I’m learning as much.

With nothing more to keep me here, I thank the smith once again and turn to leave. Closing my eyes as I step outside, I attempt to calm the slamming of my heart in my chest.

“Vanni?”

She stops me just as I’m about to bid farewell to Lady Edrys.

When I spin around, she freezes. If my expression is too harsh, it’s only because I’m struggling to control my reaction to her.

“Meet me at the rock?” she whispers.

No five words have ever sounded sweeter.