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“What is it, Father?”
The heat from the forge licked my skin like a caress.
A look of concern etched my father’s features. Brigham Snow was an easy-going, level-tempered soul, so seeing such worry crease his brow made me notice.
“Another letter from the Count,” he said, glancing up at me.
“About the shipment?”
“Yes.”
Count Myer Hastings was the brother-in-law of the young Duke Haverell of Demora and had high standings with the nobles of Catalan. Hastings had commissioned a unique blade for an upcoming campaign into the Winter Woods. I paid little attention because I didn’t give a rat’s ass what the royals did. People all over the north were commissioning weapons from us because the threat of predatory creatures had increased. Threats to villages had heightened, and the attacks had become more violent. A new escapade amongst the royals was to have “monster hunting” parties. They used it to secure marriage alliances, gain favor, or prove whose dick was bigger—I don’t know. Regardless of the reason, it escalated our business and reputation. However, the traveling courier to receive our shipment to deliver to the north was unacceptably late, and the Count and other nobles awaiting weapons were none too pleased. We had sent word for another courier but could not afford such a delay.
“Letmego.” My heart stuttered with the thought. I’d never been outside Geva unless you considered my wanderings of the Neverwood.
“I don’t think so, Autumn.”
“Father, you know I can handle myself. I have just as much at stake with this as you and Mother. Let me help.”
My father chewed his lip, and I saw the wheels spinning in his head. I had always been good at playing him. I didn’t like to do it, but I could.
“This is my livelihood, too. My future, my reputation. Awaiting a caravan is futile. Even a swift courier will take days to get to us, then a week to get to Demora. Send me with someone that knows the way.”
He glanced away, stroking his beard.
Come on. Come on.I wanted an adventure. I wanted away from the heaviness of expectation every time my mother looked at me, the disappointment my father had when I went gallivanting through Neverwood all day and didn’t help him at the forge. I was an embarrassment to them because it was customary in Lohr for young women to either have a profession or marriage by my age, and I had no interest in settling down. I was a little spoiled in knowing the forge would someday be mine, making me complacent and carefree.
Finally, my father let out a deep sigh. “Ativan.”
Yes!“Ativan is perfect for this, Father. He and I can be quick and dependable for such a task.”
Ativan had been the son of a traveling merchant and knew the roads and byways better than anyone else in our village. Plus, he was the finest swordsman I had ever met and had trained me when my father was too busy. He was also the only man in my life that didn’t think I should just settle into marriage. Ativan was like an uncle to me, and I adored him.
“We will need to pay him.”
“From what we’ll make off those weapons, it will be cheaper than a courier.”
“Well, I don’t know about that. I would need to send another person with—”
“Gregoire.” He was one of the few men I could stand to be around and not want to cut off his head. Well, most of the time, I didn’t, anyway.
“Honey, there is something you should know about—”
“Father, let me do this. Please. It doesn’t matter who you send, I can defend myself, and you know it. You taught me. So did Ativan. He can freshen up on my training while we are traveling.”
“Well… Perhaps. A carriage can be—"
“A carriage will be too slow. On horseback with minimal people will be faster.”
“And far more dangerous. It is almost the autumn equinox. You don’t want to be traveling north this late.”
My birthday. My birthday was the autumn equinox, the gateway to the cold winter months ahead.
“A carriage is a target for thieves. I’m sure the weather has not turned yet in the north.”
He stroked his beard again, and I swallowed as I noticed the peppering of gray in it that seemed to have appeared overnight.
“I don’t like this, Autumn.”
