Page 68

Two Isfolj dogs swallowing a sacrifice. That was the stone at its center.

“Tell them I need to see an Isfolj council.”

Eyebrows swung a surprised look her way, and Skinny flinched as if she’d shouted.

Eavus spoke. She didn’t hear the word Isfolj. Revni turned her stare to him. He was still flushing, his jaw flexing while he listened to whatever Eyebrows was suggesting.

“Tell them I need to see an Isfolj Council.”

She didn’t like the set of Eavus’ shoulders. He wasn’t looking at her. Skinny got more comfortable, resting his spear in the dirt. Eyebrows looked too comfortable, his gestures growing broader with his smile.

She hadn’t intended to abandon him completely, only to take care of her own needs first. A pit had formed in her stomach, and it was beginning to swallow her whole.

“I will go with you to your regiment.”

They knew that word. They all swung their eyes to her again. She felt like a prize on display—a rare bird, a shiny gold tray. Her throat had gone dry. Why couldn’t she remember any of Eavus’ other words?

“Soldiers. Army.” What had he called her? “I’m evidence.” No, that was the word in Gerstunt. It didn’t matter, apparently. The two Aleterians burst into laughter, and Eavus nervously snickered along with them.

“Eavus—”

At his name, Eavus finally looked at her, but then looked away. Eyebrows furrowed his big hairy tufts, spoke. Eavus made excuses. That’s what that tone was. Revni’s heart stuttered in her chest. What excuses? Skinny gestured for her to come closer.

“The passwords change every day.” Eavus kept his voice steady. She didn’t know what that evenness meant. “Sev and Fira here are going to help get us inside.”

Eyebrows—Sev—muttered something, and Skinny snickered. That tingling radiated in her fingertips, like they were itching for her ax. This was how it was always going to have to be, she reminded herself—she’d need to plead her case. She’d need to find the people in charge.

Revni nodded, and followed.

The path to the front gates of Lordinius was wide and obvious, but they didn’t take it. The men slipped around the side, down a thin gully that ran parallel to the quarry, and then back up, across a small stream that flowed under the walls.

“Who is the highest-ranking Aleterian?” Revni asked Eavus quietly, as soon as she had the chance.

“You mean besides the emperor?” Eyebrows answered with a snort. She hadn’t realized he knew Gerstunt. It made her feel exposed, like what she thought was a wall between them had only been a sheet, and it had suddenly fluttered down. His accent was terrible.

“In Lordinius, it’ll be the prefect.” Eavus still wouldn’t look at her.

She’d come back, she wanted to explain. After she saw the Council, after she got her name recorded and her claim stated, when she’d confirmed her land and a home and status that would make a difference—she’d find him, and help if she could. She owed him that at least, for the vow she’d sworn.

Or did she? The best time to call him out for stealing, after all, would be right when they arrived.

Her heart thudded in her chest. If she accused him, when maybe he was only doing what she’d asked him back in Colcium— To take her ring to the proper authorities. To make sure she got inside.

The men paused in a shadowed pocket to discuss something urgently. Eavus argued, but the men insisted. Skinny ran ahead.

“He’s going to explain my situation to the guard at watch,” Eavus explained tightly. He was squeezing her upper arm. She hadn’t noticed at first, except that it was beginning to hurt. Was he trying to tell her something else? She stared at him, hoping to find some meaning, but Eavus kept looking toward the gate. He wouldn’t meet her eyes.

He had been telling her to run—just before his friends found them. But if he wanted her to run, why was he holding her so tightly? His body was speaking another language she couldn’t understand, and she couldn’t ask, not with Eyebrows chattering away.

Prefect. She tested the word on her tongue. The prefect would be able to direct her to an Isfolj Council. The prefect would hear the Dinaeii treaty. The prefect would see Eavus punished for a thief.

Skinny appeared again, hunched over as he hurried back to them. He smiled, pleased with himself. Eavus agreed to whatever Eyebrows asked, but Revni whirled when he went to take her ax from her back. Eavus squeezed her arm harder.

“You can’t just stroll in armed.”

Revni swallowed the nervous lump in her throat. This was his territory, his people. She needed to think like an Aleterian, wasn’t that right? An Isfolj would never let her weapon be taken, but an Aleterian? They’d likely see dis-arming as a sign of respect. Eyebrows took the weight from her back and a new chill ran up her spine as the breeze bit into her damp shirt. Just get through the door. Prefect, regiment, Council…They all meant the same thing in the end: find whoever was in charge, and lay her case before them. She exhaled a thin, steadying breath. All the chaos of these past days would soon be over.

Either you trusted the gods or you didn’t.