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Ivet nodded, all agreeable, which meant Verve was in real trouble. “Of course, I would never impose. It’s just… Lotis doesn’t get many merchants out here, especially given the renegade mages. So every few months, we send someone to the nearest village, usually Mara’s Hope, to trade for what we can’t make ourselves.”
“You want me to handle the trade of your goods?” Verve lifted a brow.
Ivet laughed. “I’m not paying you to strike deals on Lotis’s behalf. No, Verve, I’m asking you to accompany one of us, who’ll do the dealing. Then, when you’ve finished your business, you can both return.”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be,” Verve replied. “It may take more than a couple of days.”
“That’s fine. It often takes a few days to get the best deals from the merchants.” Ivet’s smile faded. “It’s been quiet lately, but we both know that’s not forever. The roads are too dangerous for most to travel alone. I’d like to send more than just two of you, but I fear that would draw too much attention.” She dug out a silver coin from her pocket and offered it to Verve. “Consider this an additional assignment, if it makes you feel better.”
The coin rested in Ivet’s weathered palm, shining and smooth. The idea of accepting payment for this made Verve’s stomach turn. But to refuse would insult Ivet’s good nature, and offer further proof that Verve was on some nefarious mission of her own. Which Ivet probably knew anyway, but Verve owed it to her to keep up the charade. She plucked the coin from Ivet’s hand and tucked it with her others, silently vowing to spend it on rare dyed wool for Dannel, or some new books for the children. Something useful and welcome.
“Good,” Ivet said, making to rise. “I’ll let Alem know and you can set out at first light.”
“What?” Verve leaped up and offered Ivet a hand, pulling the older woman to her feet. “No, I can’t… Alem and I…” She blew out a breath in frustration while Ivet regarded her with a steady gaze that missed nothing. “We… had a disagreement.”
“You don’t say,” Ivet replied in a dry voice. “Well, that would certainly explain why he’s been sulking around the Willow’s distillery lately. He made the mistake of snapping at Hadiya, but they showed him the error of his ways.”
A smile tugged at Verve’s lips, but she kept it at bay. “They did?”
“Not your concern, of course,” Ivet said, eyes twinkling. “But you and Alem are both somewhat-sensible adults, and I’m sure fully capable of putting your disagreement aside for a few days. Right?”
“Right,” Verve echoed, suddenly too focused on the idea of Alem moping after their fight to mind that Ivet was manipulating her.
“Wonderful.” Ivet nodded to the door. “Let’s break the news to him together, shall we?”
But Verve’s feet refused to move as her better sense shoved aside her more squishy feelings toward Alem. “Have you been to Freehold, Ivet? They have no fondness for mages there. Someone like Alem wouldn’t be welcome. Perhaps Klaret would be better suited…”
She trailed off as Ivet cocked an eyebrow. “Fair point, but I think I’ll let Alem make that choice for himself,” Ivet said. “If he refuses, I’ll ask Klaret.”
She slipped out of the door, beckoning Verve along after. Verve followed, her heart a tumble of conflicting feelings.
* * *
Alem was on his knees in his garden, up to his elbows in dirt. His tunic hung on the fence where he must have tossed it, leaving his upper body bare save for sweat and sunlight. Verve’s mouth went dry at the sight of his muscular torso, and what better sense she’d shored up while following Ivet here flew out of her mind. So she only stood by, mute as a stump, while Ivet explained the situation. He cut his eyes to Verve once or twice, and when Ivet finished, he reached for his shirt to scrub it over his face.
“Freehold,” he muttered. “Never been. Heard stories that’ll curdle your milk, though.”
“They’re true,” Verve heard herself say. “And someone like you shouldn’t want to go there.”
Alem twisted his shirt in thought. “As long as I don’t openly use magic, no one can tell what I am. Besides, if I can navigate a city like Pillau, I can handle Freehold.”
Verve’s stomach clenched at the thought of Alem within those stone and hematite gates. “They don’t kill mages on sight in Pillau.” She looked at Ivet. “Do you think Klaret would go?”
Alem shook his head. “Klaret’s no good with people. She’s comfortable with most of us, but she’d be miserable in a city like Freehold. And if Berel goes, Klaret will follow, and the weight of three people is more than our vessel can handle.”
“What about Hadiya?” Verve offered.
Alem winced, but Ivet replied, “If I grew an acorn for every time they swore they’d never leave Lotis, I’d have an entire forest by now.” She sighed. “What I wouldn’t give for my arm back.”
“You’re too valuable to risk,” Verve said.
Alem nodded. “Aye, Lotis can’t afford to lose you.”
Owen was too young, Dannel not in the best health, and the two new mages presented the same conundrum as Alem. One by one, the rest of the villagers were considered and discarded. Verve could not recall the last time she’d had to arrange travel with another person — not a prisoner. Aside from her brief visits to Freehold between jobs, she was usually alone. She’d never minded before coming to Lotis.
“It’s all right,” Alem said after he and Ivet had talked in circles. “I’ll go. I just take care and keep my abilities under wraps.” He cleared his throat. “I should probably wear some hematite to blend in. Perhaps Verve has some to spare?”
“I’ve plenty,” Verve said, and he gave a grim nod.
