Page 86

“Gustav is notable. I am not. I only ever rarely showed my face in the capital and was hardly duchess long enough to be easily recognized, especially by the soldiers. The chances they might identify me are slim.”

“Won’t it seem suspicious if you question the knights?”

Josslyn blinked at her. “I am not going to interrogate them.”

“Then how will you get answers?”

“By being my charming self of course.” Her voice turned husky. “Hey there handsome, wont’cha buy a thirsty woman a drink?” Josslyn winked. “Stay here while I go flirt.”

Stay.

While her friend strode into danger.

It bothered her. Why should Avera remain safe while others risked themselves? Avera wore a hole in the floor pacing. Where once she’d been content to stick to the shadows, now she hated the fact she couldn’t be down in the taproom with Josslyn. What if her friend ran into trouble? What if the soldiers did find her features familiar?

The window of the room overlooked the rear of the inn where the cook kept a small garden and a well for drawing fresh water. Nothing interesting to see. She hopped across the hall to her own chamber only to find her view just as lacking, the street out front empty. Waiting alone with nothing but her worry felt like an eternity. In reality, it was only a few hours.

Around the dinner hour, a knock at her chamber door had her stiffening. With a dagger in hand, Avera quietly pressed her ear to the door but didn’t say anything.

“It’s me,” whispered Josslyn.

Avera unlatched the door and let her in. “Did you find anything out?”

“Yeah.” Josslyn’s lips pinched. “It’s not good news. Benoit sent those knights to look for you. They even brought a poster displaying your likeness and are offering a reward for your capture or death.”

“As if I were a criminal.” Avera expected it, after all Benoit did mention his plan, but it still stung.

“The charge is treason. Ironic, seeing as how Benoit has already seized the throne.”

A disappointed Avera shook her head. “People actually believe the story that I worked with Venne to hire the assassins. I know we figured as much, but I guess I’d held out a bit of hope that the story would be doubted. That the fact that I was attacked too would give people pause.”

“According to Drue, one of the knights who bought me wine, you did that to make it seem as if you weren’t a part of the plot. The fact you survived is proof of your guilt.”

“That’s insane.” Avera sat on the bed with her shoulders slumped.

“The good news is the poster’s drawing looks nothing like you. Mine doesn’t even have an image, just a basic description.”

“Wait, you’re wanted as well?”

“Yes, and Gustav, too. His image is the most accurate. Whoever drew him was very familiar with his creased visage.”

“That’s not good,” Avera muttered.

“Agreed, because I am pretty sure Korr knows we’re the folks in those wanted posters.”

Avera’s chin shot up as she exclaimed, “Did he say anything to the knights?”

At the query, Josslyn shook her head. “Not yet, but the amount they’re offering?—"

“Will tempt someone for sure.” Avera finished the sentence.

“In better news, a few of the sailors were in the tavern as well. Their ship has a rather large cargo hold, although they plan to fill it once they’ve offloaded, meaning if we want passages for the horses we’ll have to negotiate soon or there won’t be room.”

“How long are they staying for?”

“They didn’t say but I didn’t get the impression it would be for long. Seaserpent Bay doesn’t exactly have much in way of entertainment.”

Avera rose and tapped her lower lip. “We’ll need to speak to the captain promptly, but before that we should relocate before those knights come knocking on our chamber door.”