A Million Roads to Nowhere

A Sequence of Misfortune

Leif's flirting at breakfast is a welcome distraction. Though Patrick's seated next to Signe and not near Leif at all, he's well aware of the winks and arch smiles that get sent his way. He also keeps getting brought snacks every now and then- a glass of expensive golden wine, a sweet bean cake, a biscuit slathered in honey- and he's not quite sure if they're Leif's advances through the servants or the flirtations of the servants themselves.

Signe has her drawing book under the table, half hidden as she sketches a realistic version of Patrick's hand, ring included. Periodically, she reaches up to grab a grape and pops it in her mouth. Sometimes, she drops one on the floor for Ivo, who has been slinking under the table all morning. According to Signe, Ivo doesn't need food, but she likes to give him some anyway.

Good thing he doesn't need food. I never considered that he might and he would have starved a long time ago.

The hall starts to clear out as people finish their food and begin leaving to go do their daily duties around the castle. Leif slides up to Patrick's side and inquires if he would like to go on a walk.

"I can't," Patrick says apologetically. "Signe's leaving and I said I would walk her out."

"Very gentlemanly of you."

"I have business with you anyway, pretty king, so I'd rather talk before you go out on any excursions," Clementine interjects.

"Of course. What kind of business?"

"A proposition, one that you'll find very favorable to your interests."

If Leif is worried about this, he doesn't show it, only smiles and agrees to hear out whatever she has to say. Beside Patrick, Signe sighs and begins walking toward her room to pick up her leather suitcase.

Patrick goes with her and offers to carry her bag, to which she politely declines. They go to his room and he grabs his sword and belts the sheath around his waist. Brynjar has instilled in him the habit of never going anywhere unarmed. Since they're going out to the wall, which is a significant distance from the Zara and Zephyrin Towers, Patrick figures this is as good a time as any to have a sword.

"Do you have to go through the portal?" Patrick asks nervously. "You said there was a god monster in there."

"It's not on the level I usually go through, so I doubt I'll have a problem with it. I'm a necromancer and I have practice being around things the living shouldn't be around."

Patrick's not entirely convinced, but he can't go with her, so he's forced to take her word for it. She's going through the portal a second time rather than avoiding it, and she knows about these kinds of things.

Ivo trails behind them as they walk, occasionally darting forward between Signe's legs to trip her and force her to stop and pet him. After that happens a couple times, she bends to pick him up, shadows seeping through her fingers like a mist. Patrick trades Ivo for the suitcase, and Signe cuddles the familiar to her chest. Ivo likes Signe, Patrick has discovered. It makes sense. Ivo must like Aodhan for the same reasons.

As they walk, Signe chatters nervously. Patrick knows she's worried about going back. She goes on describing an interesting Vaenyth folktale about a wolf (Patrick asked about her favorite story) when he gently cuts her off and asks, "Did you hear that?"

The two of them fall silent to listen, but all that's audible is birdsong. Ivo cocks his head to the forest, tail swishing back and forth.

"I don't hear anything," Signe says. "What was it?"