Page 155 of Keeper of the Word

Hux had spent the last few days telling Elanna about his past,first as a nobleman’s son and then a renowned thief. Without a home and a true identity. It occurred to her that they had more in common than she had first realized.

“Do not pent up your agony,” Hux said.

“This is all too much.”

Hux slipped his arms around her.

“My sisters. We must find my sisters.”

“We will.”

Tolvar entered. “’Tis growing dark, and ’tis probably better if we are not here when night falls. I am most sorry about your home, Elanna.” His shoulders slumped. Dozens of bodies had been Tolvar’s own soldiers. “Seems all of us are without homes at present.”

“We do not know that Thorin Court is actually overrun, Lord Wolf,” Hux said. “Mayhap those knights of yours arose to the challenge. You certainly trained them hard enough to fight valiantly.”

Tolvar stared off.

“You’re thinking about Sloane, aren’t you?” Hux asked. “Enough of that, before you hate me all over again.”

Tolvar gave a pointedly frightful look. “I was trying not to blame myself for all this.”

“Do not blame yourself, Sir Tolvar,” Elanna said. “The actions here are the choices of sorrowful men.”

“Sorrowful? What do you mean?” Tolvar asked.

“Those who seek to bring down the light, as you say, who seek to cause chaos and turmoil, they are full of sorrow. Lost souls.”

Tolvar studied the soot-covered floor.

“Even your brother.”

“Who I dearly wish was here so I could witness his ‘sorrow’ for myself,” Tolvar said with sarcasm. “What now?”

Elanna attempted to sort that out. Searching for her sisters was her first priority.

“I was hopeful that I might find the location of some starstone here at Aura Hall, in addition to collecting my sisters. I am certain there were a few scrolls that detailed locations, but—” She scanned the charred room.

Elanna’s heart palpitated. If she didn’t keep her thoughts moving, the weight of all this would crush her.

“Elanna?” Hux stroked her shoulder.

She loosed an exhale. ’Twas extraordinary that giving her heart over to Hux seemed to strengthen her.

Tolvar ran his hand through his hair, shifting his weight. “Why is Ashwin a dry city?”

“There wouldn’t be any surviving liquor here anyway,” Hux said. “Though I will say, a drink sounds like the very thing at present. But Tolvar is right, Lady. What now?”

“I will ask the stars.”

At dawn,Elanna rose and gazed out at Ashwin’s remains.

She’d Seen their next move. But how could she tear herself away from this place?

“We shall return through Grenden,” she explained to the others. Tears stung her eyes. “Lenfore is too dangerous a place to venture through. In a week’s time, the West Road will be filled with highwaymen. But before we leave, there is something I must do.” She met Hux’s eyes. “Alone.”

“What is your task?” Hux asked.

“I—I must…” She could scarcely speak. “Plan for the fortune of those who shall someday rebuild Ashwin.” She did not add that the rebuild was further away than she dared estimate.