Page 20 of In The Dark
“Not dead. I’m okay though,” I groan, tilting my right shoulder forward with a wince.
“You’re lucky I came back—I almost took off without you,” Ezra teases, throwing me a grin.
Ren remains silent as he nudges it with a boot. It’s decaying in a heap of flesh and bone, beady eyes glazed over. Ezra looks at my shoulder, now blackened and slick with drool.
“Damn, that looks bad. I have some supplies in my pack. The horses got spooked and ran up the road. Let me gather them and we’ll clean it up.”
I nod, meeting his gaze just as I notice the sound of running water nearby and grin. “There’s the stream I was wishing for.”
Ezra barks a laugh. “I guess this is our stop then.” He throws me a wide grin over his shoulder, taking off at a run to round up the horses.
“You’re definitely bathing. I refuse to catch a whiff of you on the saddle.” Ren’s face is twisted in disgust and scans my face, now splattered in a sticky drool.
Normally, I’d argue just to argue, but I have to agree with him. A quick dip in the stream is exactly what I need to erase this awful smell, so I walk in the direction of the moving water.
Nestled in the middle of the mountains, Sylvanor is tucked away at the edge of the valley instead of in the mountain itself. Trees and sharp-edged peaks surround it for miles, leaving us fresh air and a cool breeze.
We only got a few hours of sleep outside of Dryborn before waking again, leaving just before dawn to arrive with enough time to track Alec. Thankfully, Ezra picked up his scent on the trail earlier, confirming that we were headed in the right direction.
Ren’s remarks throughout the day had me wanting to throw an apple at his head, but not before Ezra reached over to snatch it from my hand.
But finally, I breathe.
The quaint little town comes into view early afternoon. With the sun shifting down, we only have a few hours left before dusk settles on this side of the mountain.
Sylvanor is quiet and small, surrounded by tall lampposts that line the cobblestone road. The horses’ hooves click against them at a steady pace. Flanking both sides of the main road, bushes and vines snake up the structures.
I could cry with relief. The heat was excruciating, leaving me slick with sweat, head pounding, shoulder throbbing from yesterday’s bite. And although I rinsed the wound in the stream and kept it clean, it’s begun to burn again.
“I could go for a cold bath and an ale right about now.” I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand. Even though I’m not a huge fan of ale, the heat of summer is the only reason I ever want one. I glance at Ezra, both of us dripping in sweat as the afternoon sun continues to beat down on us.
“You and me both.” Ezra chuckles, Ren grunting in agreement behind us. “But let’s find a local inn and ask around about where our target could be. We still have a few hours before dusk, so I think we still have time. How’s your shoulder?”
“It’s fine.” I keep my voice steady, but in truth, six hours of sweating on top of a large horse hasn’t done me any favors.
The salve helped at first—numbing the area and dulling the sting—but in this heat, it’s already been sweat off. I didn’t want to say anything earlier and risk slowing us down. I try not to let it show.
Ren rides up, glaring at me from atop his horse, and clips, “Let him apply more salve. We can’t afford you being injured when we have to finish this mission by tomorrow night.”
My teeth grind. “I’mfine.”
“You’re wincing,” Ezra argues and I huff, attempting to wave him off. “Stop being stubborn and let me apply some to your shoulder after we get to the inn. Can you continue tonight?”
I give him a quick nod. “Fine. We’ll apply more when we arrive, but we’re going out tonight for answers.”
Going into a light trot, we enter the town after a few short minutes. We finally dismount and hand the horses off to Ren to find a nearby stable. We agreed on an inn called the Golden Oak—secluded from the rest of the town but close enough to the horses should we need to leave quickly.
“I’ll stand watch while you arrange the rooms.” I lean against the outside wall of the inn and sigh.
Groups weave between the crowds, walking toward the local taverns. I begin to wonder if it’s where everyone will be, silently wishing that I were one of them right now.
But the Silver Lily tugs at my thoughts—thinking of everything I encountered over the last two days and the note in Alec’s room.
I found her and she won’t be alone, it said.
What does that mean and who did he find? He must be important if the king is set on finishing the mission, leaving me to wonder what Helga might have relayed to him. When Ezra asked, she refused to discuss it, insisting that it was meant forthe king’s ears only. The inn’s wooden door creaks open, leaving me to swivel my head.
Ezra steps out. “We got two rooms.”