Page 158 of Keeper of the Word

Along with the WANTED banner, he sent only the essential details lest the message fall into someone else’s hands. He elaborated on the tragedy at Asalle—though was certain that particular news had already traveled—and on the growing armies and mixed frays. And last, he wrote a cryptic message about their intentions with the Edan Stone. Stars only knew if Ghlee would make sense of it, but hewouldmake sense of Tolvar’s desperation.Bring the club!

Tolvar estimated it would be close to a fortnight to make the earliest rendezvous with them. That was only if their group could make it into Lenfore and travel past the North Forest into Namid, the province bordering by the sea. He’d detailed three meeting places in the hopes that they could sync together sooner rather than later.

Elanna favored the plan but stated that if she Saw any discovery of her StarSeer sisters, they may have to change course. Tolvar hated the idea of possibly changing their plan of action but reluctantly agreed.

He did not like the way Elanna was beginning to look. Hux mentioned it, too. Withered was the only way to describe it.

“I think ’tis because she cannot feel the ties to her other sisters,” Hux said, giving her a concerned side glance.

Elanna had contacted Tara through a method she’d calledStarSpeak, a remarkable and helpful form of communication—much faster than a raven. So far, the gates to the city had remained closed and guarded. Citizens had been subdued for now, and many nightly vigils were being held for the sovereign’s survival. Goodsell was mending, and Tara and Queen Ferika spent most days together at Rian’s bedside.

So far, they had managed not to cross paths with any armies seeking trouble or hunting the Wolf. Most Grendenian villages they rested in were impoverished and unconcerned with the realm outside their borders.

One evening, they trotted into a larger village.

“What village is this?” Barrett asked. “I do not remember seeing a village here on our map.” He withdrew his map of Grenden they’d been using as a guide. This countryside was unfamiliar to them all.

Joss dismounted and headed to ask a passing woman carrying a pail. Tolvar scanned the village. ’Twas bigger than the others they’d stopped at, but it certainly did not have an air of prosperity.

“’Tis called Renstown,” Joss said when she rejoined the others. “And there’s no inn here.”

Elanna gave a crisp nod. “We will not need one.”

“M’lady?”

“Let us ask where we can find Buchton.”

Everyone gave puzzled expressions, but by now, no one was surprised when the StarSeer made a random statement or changed their plans.

“By all means,” Tolvar said.

Sure enough, they were given directions, and they started down the pathway the woman had directed them.

The ground rumbled with the thunder of hooves.

Tolvar needed not his knight’s training to know the sound. “Make haste! ’Tis an army!” he shouted before maneuvering Valko in the opposite direction and almost charging straight into the woman who had given directions.”

“What in the stars are you doin’?” she shouted.

Tolvar tossed a pouch of silver coins down to her. “You ne’er saw us.”

He raced back to the others, who, to his amazement, were being guided into a large wooden shed of sorts by a stout elderly man. “Hurry,” he shouted as he shooed them, horses and all, into the shed. Tolvar halted Valko and led him into the crowded shelter with the others. The door shut them all into darkness.

Chapter

Fifty-Nine

ELANNA

Elanna dismounted Rasa and ran her fingers over the wall.

“What are you doing?” Joss asked after she’d bumped into her.

“There were rings attached to the wall here. I saw them before he shut the doors. We can tie the horses before we escape.”

“Escape where?” Agitation coated Tolvar’s voice.

“There’s a trapdoor.”