Total pages in book: 204
Estimated words: 193124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 966(@200wpm)___ 772(@250wpm)___ 644(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 193124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 966(@200wpm)___ 772(@250wpm)___ 644(@300wpm)
Her sister must have told her my plans.
I’m not coming back, though. And I don’t know what awaits me, but there’s no more time to waste.
“Thank you,” I say again.
Upon the signal of my heel, the stallion—Lavante—surges forward, plunging his hooves into the mud. As we head off in the direction the maid told me to go in, his stride, even with the lousy ground, is smooth as a breeze, and my seat takes to him with such facility, I can’t believe it’s my first time on his back. He also seems to behave himself, listening to the signals of the reins.
I don’t intend to stop again, but as I come up to the pub, the maid is out in front and she has a bundle in her arms. She starts waving as she sees me, and there’s no way I can pass her by. The stallion comes to a halt as she steps off the shallow porch, and given his nicker of greeting, it’s clear they know each other.
“Emma told me she was going to give him to you,” the maid murmurs as she strokes his muzzle.
“I tried not to take him … but she insisted and I am very grateful.”
“I have this for you.” The maid holds out a cloth-wrapped weight. “There are utensils, more bread and cheese, and bladders you can fill for water.”
“Oh, I have half of what you prepared—”
I am roundly ignored. The maid secures her gifts to the saddle by rising up on her tiptoes. When things are settled to her satisfaction, she steps back.
“You will return,” she says, “when you see for yourself that the way is impassable. I shall save your room.”
There’s nothing else to say on that front, as far as I’m concerned. “Please take care of yourself.”
The girl looks down at her hands. “I…”
I want to hug her. “It was never your fault. You did nothing wrong. The problem was him.”
“Emma says that your husband…”
“You know what I’ve found helpful, in life?” I wait until she glances up at me, even as I don’t meet her eyes. “Only forward, never back. Your future is ahead of you.”
And indeed, I’m trying to heed my own words as I contemplate leaving here without Merc.
“I shall do my best.” She takes a step back. “And I will see you soon.”
No, I think to myself. You won’t.
In the heartbeat that follows, I know it’s time to go. I know I must nudge my heels into the stallion’s flanks, and loose the reins, and—
The center double doors open.
And Thale emerges.
Sixty-Two
The Promise of an Overlord.
The Outpost’s ruler is dressed in another one of his finely fitted black suits, and he has a top hat with a purple band above the brim pitched on his head. When the maid sees who it is, she ducks her head and scurries for the other entrance, clearly terrified that she’s been caught outside when she needs to be at the oven.
“Lalah,” he says sharply.
She freezes in mid-step—and I realize I’ve never known her name. I should have asked—
Abruptly, he switches to that other language and I’m surprised. I don’t know what he’s saying, but his tone is gentle and the tension in the girl’s body dissipates like the stormwater that is even now evaporating in the sunshine all around us. When he’s finished speaking, she glances up at him from the side, and as he nods a dismissal, she takes a deep breath, and continues on at an easier pace.
Well, what does one know. It appears that he intends to keep his word.
At least in front of me.
Thale saunters over, his tall hat accentuating his height. “Nice horse. And I see you’ve been well provided for. Those packs are quite full, are they not.”
Across the muddy lane, people loiter and glance over with curiosity that they cannot hide.
“In spite of the Outpost’s reputation,” I say roughly, “I’ve found the people here to be quite kind.”
“Hmm. That is more a commentary on you than this place, I suspect. You have a way with others.”
I recall the mob who wanted to kill me in my village, and decide that’s one word for it.
“I hear you’re heading south, then.” He glances down the lane. “You’ll be back soon when you see the flooding. You’re the type of woman who must experience things for herself, however. We’ll hold your room.”
I glance to the entrance Lalah used.
“That wasn’t just a show for you,” Thale says softly. “I will protect her. Worry not.”
“And the other maids.”
He slides me one of his sly smiles. Then touches the brim of his top hat and inclines his head. “The others as well.”
“Thank you.” I have to clear my throat. “For being honorable.”
“You sound surprised.” He places a hand in the center of his chest, right below the diamond tiepin. “I would be insulted, if I were not aware of my, shall we say, well-deserved reputation.”