Page 55 of The Freedom You Seek
I dwelled on the latest development and couldn’t help but cherish the warmth rising inside my chest when I thought of the friendship Nayana and I had formed before I scolded myself for allowing it to happen. From the moment I’d seen her, she’d slowly broken down my defenses, and I did something I’d never donebefore. Isurrendered.
“Whenever I see you alone lately, you’re brooding or on the verge of exploding,” Ireas said, and I could feel his eyes on me as he approached.
It wasn’t untrue. Still, when had I become so transparent? “This journey is more challenging than I thought.”
“Or you just take everything too seriously.”
“I disagree. Fact is, Antas’ dreams led us to an Amplifier, something every Wielder would give at least one arm for. That’sserious.”
“Yes, I’ve never anticipated that turn of events. Although, what I don’t get is why we don’t just travel home with her.”
Sometimes, I forgot how young Ireas was. He was far from being stupid, but he thought very black and white at times. “Antas thinks there’s more to it and that we should find this seer he heard rumors about. I know he’s even considering Amalach in hopes of finding answers.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”
“It isn’t. But I’ve known my uncle and how his mind works long enough.”
“Well, we’ll see.”
I fell silent, but Ireas spoke on. “You seem close to Nayana.”
“We’re friends,” I said, tasting the word on my tongue. “For now. We’ll have to separate again, eventually.” It was the truth, but my stomach turned unpleasantly as I dwelled on saying goodbye to Nayana. But that was nothing that Ireas had to know.
“How much did you tell her?”
Too much.“The basics. About the existence of Galanta. About the Great War, and about how the Ivreian royals altered history, and how all connecting portals have been closed for good. Seriously, I was surprised she didn’t ask a million additional questions. I’m not looking forward to the time when she’ll regain her curiosity.”
“When she does, will you tell her everything?”
“I don’t think so. At least not right away. She’s so naïve and innocent, and it’s a given that she would be unhappy with quite a few things, to put it mildly. It’s best if I can omit some of the darker parts.”
Ireas snorted. “And if she finds out—and she will for sure—you’re screwed, Dion, and so are we, thanks to you.”
I sighed and refrained from answering because, of course, he was right, even if I wished he wasn’t.
The inhabitants called their village quaint, but I had to disagree. In my opinion, the few houses and shops were hardly worthy of earning the label of a dwelling.
While Ireas went to the tiniest store I’d seen on our entire trip to replenish our supplies, I stayed with the horses and observed our surroundings. The few people walking around pretty much ignored me, so I prowled over to the community board, bringing our mounts with me.
It didn’t come as a surprise that I spotted a poster displaying the rather lousy drawing of Nayana’s face, and Iglowered at the offending piece of parchment. The outrageous bounty on her head would guarantee that everyone kept an eye out for her.
But what wrinkled my forehead with a frown was an addendum right below the poster, describing me and the males as Nayana’s company, including my fake identity as Timenth Cantor.
No one watched me, so I ripped the poster and addendum off the board, sneering at the offending parchment, and safely pocketed both.
This Feroy worked extremely fast, and I was convinced he would be a pain in the ass for us in the future. I wouldn’t hesitate to kill him on sight, and the thought of getting my hands on him made me vibrate with agitation.
I turned my attention back to Ireas, who was approaching me. When I observed two men studying him closely, it wasn’t far-fetched to assume that we had been discovered.
Catching Ireas’ gaze, I gently nudged my head toward the road leading out of town, and without hesitation, he strolled back toward me as if he had no care in the world.
“Remember that guard at the Marsian border? The one who stared at us and then disappeared when I went back to search for him? Most likely, he went to Feroy and tattled on us. At least, that’s what I assume, since that merchant has added us to the bounty. I’m not especially worried about it, but—don’t turn around now—there are two men watching you a bit too closely. Let’s leave, lure them out, and make sure that they can’t update Feroy.” I had no doubt the stupid fools would pursue us, maybe evengrow their numbers, and I was unwilling to make a public spectacle today.
The authorities of a country always got nervous when the entire population of a village or major city was found slaughtered under mysterious circumstances—as opposed to just a few dead bodies on the side of the road—and I wasn’t willing to risk that level of attention. That didn’t mean I cared for some unimportant community somewhere where people only went to die, but if the result was that Marsia was crawling with soldiers, I’d better keep a low profile.
Ireas nodded and quickly finished stowing his purchases. Mounting my horse, I monitored our surroundings and smiled to myself. Soon, the medic was on horseback as well, and not so long after that, we were on the path leading out of the village.
“You’re hoping for a confrontation, aren’t you, Dion?”