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“Here?” My chest tightens. “When?”
“Not long ago. I’ve got four patrols out.”
“How many savages?”
“That’s unclear. But no more than six we think.”
“In the middle of the day?” That strikes me as odd. The savages are not stupid. I survey the men with him. “You said four patrols? Of six?”
He nods.
“That’s twenty-four men, Eldon,” I snap.
“Yeah, I can count, Luka.”
We’re usually careful not to treat each other as cousins in front of the men, but the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach tells me that something is very wrong. “That doesn’t leave many men in the stronghold.”
“Don’t worry. The gates have been shut against attack.”
Still, I don’t like it. “Come,” I order, urging Nightshade into motion. “We return immediately.”
Chapter 21
Rina
When Mama was taken from me, all my prayers went with her. I’d been taught that calling upon the Mother in one’s own name was improper, and with no one left to pray for, my relationship with Her mostly withered. But now, every day that Luka is gone from the stronghold sees my rusty prayers making a reappearance. To say that I’m concerned about him would be wholly inadequate. I truly miss his gruff, moody self. Some days the longing for him is almost a physical thing.
To distract myself, I try to stay busy. Bron, Kata, and Ion are making good progress with their reading and writing. It’s particularly rewarding to see Kata’s wonder grow every day. And in the evenings, I sit with Eldon and Daysa and their kids for dinner here in the stronghold, and sometimes Yvette comes with Rionnon. Also, Luka’s mother, Niri, invites me to late morning tea every day. She’s very sweet and I love the stories she shares about Luka as a child.
There are those, however, like Teo, whose hostility has become more evident since Cayson’s demise and Luka’s departure. Their frowns and their thinly-veiled recriminations have become frequent enough that worry over the situation is forever lurking in the back of my mind like a spectre attempting to crawl out of the Abyss. If these people never accept me, what will Luka do? With the two men who orchestrated our union – Gaden and Kharon – not even interested in seeing it through, what kind of a chance do we stand?
I sigh.Please come home to me, Luka.
“You wouldn’t have a certain warrior on your mind, would you?” Niri asks, the slight tilt to the corner of her mouth telling me she finds my pining charming.
“Maybe,” I admit, taking a sip of my tea to hide my embarrassment. “That savages have been sighted here in the Mountain Lion Realm again doesn’t bode well.” The alarm bell rang earlier and when Eldon ordered all warriors to report to him, Ion had dropped me here with Niri. I’m a bit surprised he hasn’t returned for me yet, but I did see the gates being closed.
“No, it doesn’t. But Eldon knows what he’s doing.”
“Yes, of course,” I answer vaguely.
“And my son knows how to take care of himself wherever he is.”
I nod, but it must not be very convincing because she goes on.
“Luka is a great warrior, Rina.” She pauses, then as if she’s finally figured out what’s bothering me, she adds, “And an even greater man. I have every reason to believe he’ll do what’s right when the time comes.”
My grip on the teacup tightens as she gets right down to the heart of the matter. “I worry that what’s right for the realm won’t align with what’s right for me . . . for us.”
“My sweet girl,” she says, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “You have no –”
The door bangs open and Bron spills into the room, panting as if he’s run a great distance. “Rina, we must go.”
Setting my tea aside, I rise to my feet. “What? The savages are here?”
“No, not the savages. But we must go. Come,” he orders, coming forward and taking hold of my upper arm.
He’s pulled me almost out the door by the time I wrench myself out of his grasp. “Bron! Tell me what’s going on.”
