Page 39 of Keeper of the Word

Next to the open window, Tolvar sat in a chair, his gaze outside. Gazing at him pricked something in her Sight—something she’d Seen from last night but was unable to focus on. Gus leaned against the wall next to the door. Then she noticed Hux sat on the floor leaning against the bed, asleep.

“How do you feel?” Tolvar asked, his eyes still focused outside.

“Water,” Elanna whispered. Her voice was gone.

Gus brought her a cup; she couldn’t determine if the water hurt or relieved her throat.

The room had been cleaned of the fight’s mess—and the bodies.

Her head throbbed.

Wait. There were words.That man had whispered words. Odd words. Stars, her thoughts dragged.

“Is your vision blurred?” Tolvar asked.

Elanna shook her head.

He nodded, tilting his head sideways to scrutinize the outside. “That is glad news. Do you think you can travel on themorrow? We can go slowly, but I wish to put as much distance between us and Tam’s Ford as possible. I’ve sent a raven and a dozen knights from my Wesgate guard will be here with supplies by the day’s end. They’ll accompany us from here—no more inns. We’ll make do with camps. We cannot take any more chances. It will not be the most comfortable way to travel, but?—”

She held up her hands and shook her head. Her comfort was of no consequence. Then she pointed to herself and nodded.

Tolvar inclined his head in understanding. “Good. Gus, tell Joss to buy the supplies on my list.” His knight left.

They sat quietly for a time, the incessant thrum of rain the only sound. She gave up on tugging at her memory. There were so many questions, but she was not yet keen on using her voice.

“Was it you?” Every syllable pained her. “Who saved me?”

“Nay. ’Twas Hux. Apparently, he arrived late last night but wished to sit in a ‘more exciting’ tavern across the road. He overheard someone talking about…” He didn’t finish the sentence. “He tailed the man but did not realize there were two more tailing him. He took care of one before making it here in time. I made it in time to help dispatch the last.” Tolvar’s face screwed up in exasperation. “Why did you lock your starsforsaken door?”

Elanna didn’t want to bother explaining the privacy StarSeers craved when being called. She shrugged.

Tolvar muttered something under his breath.

She studied Hux’s sleeping form. Hux saved her? Again, she tried to recall any visions of his fortune—still nothing. But even if she hadn’t Seen anything, thank the stars they had put Hux on the path that led his fortune to that tavern.

Everything became too much, and Elanna found herself holding back tears, her body heaving.

“Who would wish to harm a StarSeer?” she whispered. Elanna drew the cord of light tying herself to her sisters from the dark well inside. Only a fraction. To be a whit closer to them. She dared wrap the invisible cord once around her core to warm herself.

Tolvar’s eyes searched out the window again. “I do not know.But is it possible for you to pinpoint where you Saw the cracks you spoke of last night?”

She cocked her head at him, considering this question and folding the cord away again. She shivered at the sudden coolness. She’d not Seen anything.

Hux stirred and stretched his arms over his head, yawning. His focus drew to Elanna, and he moved to sit next to her. “Lady, you’re awake.” His eyes blinked away from her neck.

She gave a half-smile. “Thank you,” she croaked. “For saving my life.”

“’Tis what I do. Is that not right, Lord Wolf?”

“Stars’ shadow,” Tolvar muttered.

Elanna tried to gauge the time from the sky out the window. “I need your assistance this eve. I need to See the stars.”

Tolvar almost said nay. But he closed his mouth.

“Anything, Lady,” Hux supplied.

Later that night, Elanna knelt in the damp spring grass, her palms absently running across the cool blades, her throat throbbing. But she was here. Already, the night sky hummed above her.