It doesn't take long before Surma's breaking through the trees. She looks calm and collected, though a heavy sadness seems to hang over her shoulders.
"How did it go?" I ask, standing up from where I'd been sitting on a tree stump.
Surma lashes the saddle bags to her horse. "Well. Though I'm afraid for her."
"Me too," I say.
Surma smiles mournfully at that.
She finishes tightening the straps on her saddle and looks around, taking in the empty clearing. I can see her eyes registering much more that what's visible.
"Are you going home?" she asks.
I nod. "Rogue—" it hurts to say his name "—said you could take me back. He said you're going north to Pruden, and so the Laplands will be on the way."
Surma nods.
"Hop on, then," she saying, nodding her head toward Happy.
Sailor helps me into my seat. My feet and legs burn from the poleaxe's blades.
Once I'm seated, I turn to Surma. She's consulting a map.
"Where to?" I ask.
"Well go to Partem first," she says. "We'll need writs of passage in case we're stopped. I can imagine the king will be increasing his security now that there are prisoners loose."
I nod. There's a market in Partem. It's about a day's travel from the Laplands, and my parents took me there once when I was child. I wonder if it'll look the same.
Surma folds up her map and tucks it into her book. She adjust the flaming scarf around her neck.
"Are you ready?" she asks, twisting in her saddle to look at Sailor and me.
I nod. "Lead on," I say.
And we walk away from the clearing, I let the tears flow. I let everything I've ever held inside spill out until there's nothing left. And still it doesn't seem to be enough.
YOU ARE READING
Tainted
FantasíaThough Mira was born a thief, she will have to learn what it means to steal, especially if it means stealing another's life. Mira's fate was determined long before she was born. And when she drew her first breath, that fate was written on her skin...
