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I let out a groan as I lifted my head off Sadie’s shoulder, blinking against the white morning light. The wagon had stopped at some point in the night.
“You’re going to have a wickedly sore neck.” Sadie chuckled, stretching her arms over her head.
“Thanks for being my pillow,” I said, my voice scratchy with sleep. I wiped my face with the back of my hand. “Sorry if I drooled on you.”
Sadie shrugged. “No problem.”
Hector slept across the bench, his back turned to us and a blanket tucked under his chin. I realized I had a blanket covering me as well.
“Knock, knock.” Ora’s voice floated from beyond the velvet curtain. “You awake?”
Sadie chucked a pillow at her brother. “We are now.”
Hector grumbled, trying to bury his face further into the couch.
Ora pulled back the curtain, already dressed in a heavy velvet shift. They held two steaming mugs and carefully tiptoed down the steps to place them in front of Sadie and me.
“Thank you,” I said, lifting the mug and blowing on it.
Ora plopped down on the couch in front of Hector’s feet and Hector curled up into a ball, still refusing to wake up.
“I figured you’d need it,” Ora said, clasping their hands together. “It seemed like a tough night for everyone.”
“It was. We...” I had no idea how to explain what had happened in Hengreave. All the revelations of the previous night came flooding back to me.
They held up their hands. “You don’t need to explain. Galen den’ Mora is always filled with people with stories they’d rather not share.”
I glanced down the slender aisle to the chandelier in the galley and the many badges of musicians past. How many of those badges were worn by a person with a sad story to tell? I wondered about it every time I looked at those little embroidered shapes. Who did the bell belong to? Who wore the white rose?
Hundreds of tales lay in the artwork and fabrics from every corner of the continent. Galen den’ Mora looked built, repaired, and refurbished by many hands, all with their own unique styles and touches.
“Any plans for today?” Ora asked. “The others are still sleeping.”
The life of a traveling troupe. They slept in strange places and kept strange hours. Days would pass with not much to do and then there’d be short bursts of long, arduous performances.
“And Grae?” I asked, trying not to sound too eager.
“He said he needed to go get some things in the markets. He took off a little while back.”
My shoulders drooped. “Oh.”
“We have an extra day in Taigoska since we traveled through the night,” Ora said. “It’s a massive city, but I can show you some of my favorite parts if you’d like?”
“A personal tour.” I smiled at them, trying to bolster myself from the bitterness of Grae’s early-morning departure. “I’d love it.”
“Oh, good.” Ora rose, smoothing their dress. “It’s always more fun seeing the city again through a fresh pair of eyes.” Ora gave Hector a playful pat on the shoulder, looking between himand the knife in Sadie’s hands. “Are Sleepy and Stabby coming, too?”
“I like you, Ora,” Sadie huffed. “Fine, I’ll come.”
“I’ll come, too,” Hector grumbled, pushing up onto an elbow. “I need one of those frozen treats to settle my stomach.”
“Splendid!”
Malou’s sharp voice boomed through the cabin. “Quieter. Please.”
The sound of two knocks on the wood came from Mina’s bunk, clearly agreeing with her sister.
Ora winked at us and mouthed. “I’ll go get my things.”
