Darion

  Darion and Tsarek stood apart from the group, appearing nonchalant as they took a break. "You saw the signs too, right?"

  "Yeah, and there were some fresh-cut ones too." Tsarek had a knife in his hand and was tossing it up and down, easily catching the grip each time. Laude Granthor had glared at him, but he hadn't put it away.

  "This was supposed to be Drake territory," Tsarek said.

  "They're pretty bold to make so many." Darion was looking at a tree with fresh-cut slashes in it. Another one was only a few yards away.

  "Well, the Last Men aren't known for subtlety, especially in their own territory. They must have taken over recently, is my guess. My worry is they won't be open to bribes."

  "They would be fools not to."

  Tsarek shook his head. "At least they aren't Karangasz."

  "It's good you are riding. I don't know that we could handle anyone looking for a fight with just the greens."

  "What about Diana?"

  "She's competent, but I don't know her experience."

  "Huh," Tsarek said and then let the knife fly, hitting the knot of the tree.

  "Your throws are strong."

  Tsarek flexed his hand and looked at it, a new tic he developed since Tragst.

  Darion walked over to the tree and pulled out the knife, then handed it back to his brother, who was still quiet.

  "We should stay in a town tonight," Tsarek said.

  Darion nodded, not questioning his change of heart. He long ago learned to trust Tsarek's intuition.

  It was a prosperous little town. The tavern was even large enough to have a few rooms on its second story for rent. Laude Granthor wanted to stay with the local nobility, but the town didn't have any, and Darion didn't want to travel after dark. The tavern was the compromise they came to.

  It seemed like most of the locals came here after work. The style of the place was sleek, all the chairs and tables in clean lines and light wood. The walls were white with floral designs painted on them, and each table had an oil lamp. The windows were small, but the place managed to have a light and airy feel.

  The other four guards enjoyed the beer and chatting with the locals. Some of the other servants were also drinking a bit more than usual, especially after a few of the pints of beer were on the house.

  Darion and Tsarek sat slightly apart from the others, eating the spicy soup full of noodles and meat with pickled vegetables on the side. They each finished a pint, but sat nursing the next one.

  Jason left the other servants and sat down next to them. He grinned broader than usual. "What ya talkin' 'bout?"

  Darion couldn't help but grin back at Jason's clear inebriation. Tsarek raised a brow.

  "We're trying to guess which of these guys is the watcher," Darion said.

  Before Jason could ask, Tsarek interjected, "Don't worry too much about it."

  Jason shook his head a few more times than he needed to. "I can keep secrets no matter how much I drink."

  Darion patted his arm. "We believe you."

  Jason looked down at Darion's hand, then at Darion, and then blushed. They watched as he became aware of himself. He pulled his arm away.

  "I should get back," he said, and then bowed to Tsarek and left.

  Darion watched him go, a warm feeling in his chest. Tsarek smacked him lightly on the shoulder, and Darion saw his brow was furrowed.

  "Careful around him. Don't go breaking any hearts."

  Darion's eyes went wide, and he put a hand to his chest. "Me? Never."

  Tsarek scoffed and took a long sip of his beer, though when he put the mug back, the level hadn't changed much.

  Darion had every intention of being careful. He watched as Jason walked away.

  Tsarek went back to scanning the room. "Dark and scowly looked over at us again."

  "I think you may be right about him, but the jolly big one is getting pretty cozy with ours."

  Jason

  Jason wandered back over to the servants, spilling into his seat and grinning. It was the usual mix of house servants and guards, so he was surprised when Marie left Laude Granthor to come sit next to him. She would socialize with them sometimes, but even then stayed a bit aloof.

  He looked around and realized that Laude Granthor must have left early, since she was no longer in the tavern. But why hadn't Marie gone with her?

  Marie pulled his mug away from him. "You cannot be this sloppy."

  Jason smiled and rubbed his neck. "Val Alensar doesn't mind."

  She did not smile, but instead gave him a look."This isn't about the drink. Though you should be careful with that, too."

  "What are you talking about?" He said, though the constriction in his chest meant that he knew exactly what she was talking about.

  "Personal servants are not allowed romantic relationships, as you should know better than most." Marie's disapproval dug into him.

  "I'm not in a relationship." Jason shook his head. "He's just flirting with me."

  "Relationships start with flirting." Marie took Jason's hand and squeezed it. "I know how hard it is, especially when you are young. But it gets better with time. Even if Val Alensar is easy-going, it's too risky to break your contract. Laude Oberon D'Ambrosia has a harsh reputation. Life is not a romance novel."

  It was just a little flirtation, so why was she butting in? He wasn't sixteen and making the same mistakes.

  He took a deep breath. Marie was just trying to help him.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  He squeezed her hand back. "I'll be careful. I know what the consequences are. And he told me he's interested in women, and he seems to flirt with everyone."

  Marie nodded. "That's good. I thought he was paying special attention to you, but I must have been mistaken."

  A strange tangle descended into his stomach at the words 'special attention,' but he swallowed it down. He forced his face into a gracious smile. "Thanks for watching out for me, Marie."

  Marie brightened. "This is really a great opportunity for you, Jason. You are a hard worker who deserves a second chance."

  She then stood, sliding the drink back to him. "I must go help Laude Granthor prepare for the night."

  He took a swig of the glass and looked over to see Alensar still chatting with Darion. The room became too small and loud. "I should do the same, prepare his room, I mean."

  "That seems wise," said Marie, and they walked away together.

  Elaine

  The improved sleeping conditions and the night of drinking created yet another delay for the group in the morning. Elaine didn't object too strongly to waiting until the guard's hangovers had cleared up. She was surprised by how much she was enjoying the journey. She hadn't spent significant time outside the city in many years and had avoided traveling. She had been dreading the journey and the bad memories it might conjure, but the fresh air and forest views healed wounds in her heart so old–she didn't even realize they were still there.

  She sat at one of the tables sipping kava, since they didn't have tea. The place seemed almost darker during the day, with the scant light coming in through the windows and the shadows seeming darker by contrast. She rarely ate breakfast, but the journey was making all of them hungry, and she was no exception. The coarse country bread was a nice change from the finer breads of the city.

  Diana joined her shortly after she sat down. She ordered similar fare with the addition of some eggs. She was not hungover like the younger guards.

  "Nothing quite like a good country egg."

  Elaine nodded, but didn't have much to say. Diana had been her personal guard for years, and long moments of comfortable silence were common between them.

  "Do you fancy a walk about after breakfast?"

  "Oh, that sounds nice," Elaine said, almost convincingly

  Diana laughed. "A walkabout does many a soul good, Laude. Especially as you are about to spend the day sitting in the coach once again. My old bones could use a stretch with some conversation as well."

  "Yes, of course." Elaine couldn't hide her discomfort as easily when confronted with it. And hiding anything from Diana was difficult. She was too observant.

  "But the talking can wait until we have drunk our kava, don't worry," Diana said.

  The two of them walked casually around the village, which was fully awake. The blacksmith was working on a piece with an apprentice, most likely a farming implement. The bakery had a basket of bread in front of the shop to tempt the wandering passerby. An effective strategy that induced Elaine and Diana to part with a few coins for some sweet bread, despite neither of them being particularly hungry.

  "Our young Val seems stronger than he has since he came to us. Seems like it's true what they say about Karangasz. They're meant to be on horses."

  Elaine had never told Diana that Alensar was Karangasz. "When did you discover it?"

  "There was no other reason to have hired an outlaw like Darion. And I can tell from the way he stands. I saw enough Karangasz when I served in the war to see it."

  Elaine nodded; she had worried about exactly this.

  Diana gave Elaine's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "But I doubt others will make the connection, especially with time.

  "We're trying to hide it, but I'm not sure a secret like this can be kept."

  Diana made a thoughtful sound. "Once he heals more, he will hide it better, I think."

  "The doctor said he is healed, as long as he gains some weight."

  Diana scoffed. "It's his mind that needs healing, and you know it. And it's his mind that will keep him hidden. I think this trip will help, he already seems stronger."

  Elaine looked at the ground. "Is it strange that I've come to care for him? I've sentenced dozens like him. For the first time, I feel remorse."

  "You were just one part in the apparatus of a war that never ended. I was part of it, and so were these young men. It's bigger than all of us."

  "Do they know about you?" Elaine asked.

  Diana shook her head. "I'm better at keeping secrets than they are. Though it's been harder to keep up physically these days. Perhaps retirement is in order for me."

  Elaine stopped walking. "Sun and stars, retirement sounds wonderful."

  "Didn't you retire?"

  "Only from some duties. Not most."

  "Perhaps we can retire together."

  Elaine didn't know how to respond. Diana had a small smile and didn't seem to be bothered by her silence.

  They had reached the end of the wooden cottages that made up the village and stared into the woods. The trees were full of new growth near the edges, and birds chirped. Elaine could hear an animal rustling through the woods, invisible.

  Diana seemed especially watchful, her posture tense in a way that Elaine knew better than to interrupt.

  Then Diana turned around. "Well, shall we walk back? I have quite a bit to think on. Perhaps we will take another walk this evening."

  "Yes, I'm more winded than I would like to be. Perhaps we will make a ritual of it," Elaine said, feeling a trickle of sweat on her brow.

  Diana nodded and took another look at the woods. They strolled back to the inn, talking about the logistics of the trip, the weather, and other easier topics.

  Darion

  Darion paced. Tsarek was leaning against the side of the rough wooden barn, arms crossed, and followed Darion's movement with his eyes.

  "You know that's not going to help us leave sooner?"

  Darion pulled out a knife and threw it toward Tsarek. Tsarek didn't flinch as it hit the wall a few handspans away from him.

  "That trick is better if it lands closer." Tsarek smirked.

  Darion rolled his eyes, cracked his neck, and punched his palm. "Say one more smartass comment and you're dead."

  "I'd like to see you try," Tsarek said without enthusiasm and not making any threatening moves in return.

  They both stood there for a moment, the air now changed.

  "Aww now, that's not how we play this game."

  He shrugged. "It's not a fair game anymore."

  A beat of silence fell between them. Darion missed how things used to be.

  "Sorry braterko, you just seem like your old self. I forgot it all for a moment."

  "Yeah, I noticed you forget." Tsarek's voice was bitter. "But I can't."

  Darion tried not to sound angry, but his moody brother didn't make it easy. "You think I forget? Don't insult me."

  Tsarek's shoulders tensed, but then softened. "I guess I'm just jealous."

  "Of what?"

  They had never admitted jealousy to one another before.

  Tsarek rubbed his temple, not looking at Darion. "I'm jealous of your strength, your ease with your new position, and… your flirtation."

  Darion raised his brows. "Are you interested in Jason? I thought…"

  Tsarek's exasperated expression was a bit more dramatic than Darion felt he deserved.

  "No, I'm not. Also, he's my servant. I wouldn't abuse my power like that."

  "Don't nobles do that sort of thing?"

  Tsarek lifted his lip and showed his teeth. "I'm Karangasz first, and if I ever become the kind of noble, I expect you to put me down like a rabid dog."

  Darion stepped back and held out his hands in a gesture of apology.

  "What I meant is that I'm jealous you have someone that you are flirting with. That likes you. That you are moving forward."

  Darion shook his head."Maybe? I don't know. It feels like a betrayal to Krystyna to think of anyone else. I feel like she would hate me for it."

  Tsarek went to him, put his hands on Darion's shoulders, and looked him in the eyes. "She would never hate you."

  The intensity of Tsarek's gaze made the words seem truer, but Darion didn't quite believe him. He pulled away and looked to the woods. "It feels like I'm cheating on her. Even though…you know… we haven't done anything. I don't even know if he wants to. It's been hardly more than flirting, and I do that with everyone."

  Darion could feel the intensity of Tsarek's gaze even as he looked away. "You know Krystyna would want you to be happy. She wouldn't want your new relationships to be a martyr to her memory."

  "I can say that to myself, that doesn't feel true. And it's too soon."

  "Then go slowly."

  Darion smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "If you see me cocking it up too badly, put me in my place."

  Tsarek grinned. "I always do, bratje."

  Darion snorted. "I can think of a few times you didn't."

  "The keywords are 'too badly,' otherwise what fun is that?" He seemed caught up in some memory. It was good to see him at ease.

  ***

  "Alensar is riding with us. This is not a debate." The sides of Darion's mouth were creased with displeasure.

  "But if there is danger, he should be protected in the carriage. I'm already putting up with the nonsense of having him ride with you." Laude Granthor crossed her arms and stared at Darion, equally displeased.

  "He'll be safer on the back of a horse with a weapon in hand rather than locked up in a box!" Darion said a little too loudly.

  Diana spoke, "Laude, if I may offer an opinion. I agree with Darion. Val D'Ambrosia is an experienced combatant. He will be best protected if he can easily protect himself."

  Darion stared at her, mouth slightly open. How did she know?

  Diana winked at him but didn't explain.

  Laude Granthor sighed, "I don't like it. He doesn't value his own safety enough. I don't want him dying protecting someone else who is less valuable. Which, I should remind you, is all of us."

  Darion's eyebrows knit together, but he said nothing.

  Diana held up her hand in a gesture of peace. "I stand by my position, he's best riding and in the open. Laude Granthor, trust me."

  Darion watched as Laude Granthor wilted. "Very well. Let's hope we don't have to test your theory."

  He glanced between the two women, then bowed. "I'll make sure he knows."

  And he walked off to tell Tsarek.