Forged in Frost

Trust

Evelyn shifts Leo onto his side on the cold road. "Leo? Can you stand?" she whispers, peering over her shoulder at the street to be sure no one is around.

"Freckles," he mutters. "What's going on?"

"Stand," Evelyn says. "We have to go."

"Where are we going?"

Evelyn eases him upright. He seems strong enough to hold himself, but he's still so disoriented. His head lolls. He places his fingers against his temples as if to set it straight, wincing.

"Are you still in pain?" Evelyn asks.

"Not as much," he says. "My head still hurts."

"I think you'll be all right."

"You gave me a potion?"

"Caius had one."

Leo gives his head a little shake. "What in Hades are you doing?"

"We need your help getting into Esterden," Evelyn says.

He raises his head to meet her eyes. "You could've told me that before..." He winces again, putting his head back in his hands. "Gods, I feel dizzy."

"The effects of the potion, I imagine."

"Dizzy is better than blinding pain, I suppose," Leo says. He cracks his neck as if to loosen up. "It's all right. I think it's going away."

"As long as you can walk. We have a long journey ahead of us." Evelyn turns them toward the edge of the building.

A Tarreth guard rounds the corner in front of them, huge and terrifying. Evelyn's heart nearly stops before she realizes it's Caius, dressed in Tarreth armour.

"You all right?" he asks her.

"Fine," she says. "Let's get out of here."

Without another word, Caius leads them toward the southeast exit, Leo following along. The streets they take are not as well-lit as the main street. Evelyn finds herself following as close to Caius as she can without tripping over his heels. But after a moment, he insists she walk in front of him, so he is between her and Leo. She doesn't question it.

The Tarreth armour grants them immediate, unquestioned exit. Evelyn releases a trapped breath when Tarreth is finally behind them.

"So, where are we going?" Leo asks, once they reach the forest.

"Esterden," Evelyn says.

Caius shoots her a look. "Asher won't be happy about this."

"About me?" Leo wonders.

"He's going to help us," Evelyn says.

Caius remains silent. She understands his frustration with her. Truly, she doesn't know herself why she feels compelled to help Leo. She had intended to go down to the dungeon to pay him one last visit, to even relish his suffering before she left and never saw him again. But when she visited that dank cell, with roaches crawling in the corners, rat droppings on the floor, and saw him lying there shivering, barely tended at all, she just couldn't stop herself. No person deserved being left to die like that.

Now, something in her is fighting to convince her that this was a good idea. That it was the right thing. That Leo can, somehow, be rehabilitated.

The night breeze drifts over them, chilly and full of creeping sounds. They arrive at the stream in a short time. There, waiting, are more than a dozen Guild men, along with Alec and Asher. Several men hold torches, shining light on them as they arrive. Caius calls a greeting to announce their presence, which is received by the party. But as soon as he steps aside, Asher's face contorts. He rushes forward, seizes Leo at once by the arms, and wrenches them back.