Forged in Fire, page 11
“Not keeping the chains?” Treesi murmured, distracting Owyn from Aria. And from the fact that he was indeed thinking of going and picking the chains and keys up so he could save them for later. He turned to stare at her, and she winked. “You liked it. I think we all noticed you liking it.”
“You need to stop noticing.” Owyn coughed. “You need to pay attention to what you’re doing,” he continued in a lower voice. “And not me.”
“He’s in a healing trance, so there’s not much else I can do here,” she said. “So I’m doing you next.” Owyn’s face must have shown his shock, because she laughed. “Not like that! Goodness, if you go any more red, you’ll burst a blood vessel! Now, are you hurt?”
“Bumps and bruises. Stiff shoulders. I’ll ache tomorrow, I think. Nothing really of note,” Owyn said with a shrug. He picked up Trinket, then looked down at himself and grimaced, putting the fire mouse back down and stripping his ruined shirt off. “Will Trinket interfere with the healing trance?” he asked as he dropped the rags next to Aven’s leg.
“No,” Treesi answered. “I just didn’t know she was there, so I didn’t know to block her. What is she? Besides adorable?”
“A fire mouse,” Owyn answered. He put her down on Aven’s chest, and she darted back under the folds of his shirt. Owyn smiled and slowly got to his feet, He stretched, looking around. There were two men trying to corner Freckles, who was having none of it, shying away and snapping at them when they got too close. Owyn rolled his eyes and whistled, high and shrill. “Freckles, let them saddle you!” he shouted. “It’s all right. They won’t hurt you!” The horse didn’t seem to hear him, so he headed across the camp, brushed past the two men, and held his hands out. “Freckles, it’s all right. It’s over. We’re all right, and no one is going to hurt you.” The horse snorted at him, backing away, his eyes white-ringed with fear. Owyn stepped closer, keeping his voice low. “Really. It’s safe. Come on, I’m going to need you. Then you can rest and eat.” Freckles’ ears perked, and Owyn laughed. “Yes, eat. And more than just grass, too. I know you’re hungry. Come on.”
Freckles lowered his head, and slowly walked over to Owyn, rubbing his nose against Owyn’s bare chest. “Hey, that tickles!” Owyn laughed, and scratched Freckles’ forehead. “All right. You’re going to let them saddle you, right?” He looked over his shoulder, saying, “He’ll be all right now. He was just scared.” That was when he realized that everyone within earshot was staring at him.
“You’re Earthborn?” one of the two men nearest to him asked. He was looking at Owyn with something very close to awe.
“Me? I... no, I don’t think so,” Owyn answered. “He’s smart, is all. He understands a lot.”
The man shook his head. “That was more than a smart horse. You’ve got the animal sense, and that’s something that only an Earthborn would have.”
Owyn shook his head. “No, I... look, I was born in Forge, but I really don’t know. Orphan.”
“Ah.” The man nodded. “Well, I’d say you’ve got a bit of Earth in your past, then. Come on, then... what’s his name?”
“Freckles,” Owyn answered. “Go on with him, Freckles.”
“I might even have an apple for him, if he behaves.” The man grinned. “I’m Teva, by the by. Treesi said your name is Owyn?”
“Yeah. Nice to meet you. I think,” Owyn said. He looked around. “Could have been under better conditions, but thanks for saving my arse.”
Teva laughed. “It’s a nice one. Completely worth saving. You’re welcome, and maybe we can get friendly once we get back? I’ll look you up.” He walked away with Freckles, leaving Owyn sputtering behind him. Aria passed Teva, looked at Owyn, then arched a brow.
“You’ve a strange look on your face,” she said. “Are you all right?”
“He just told me I have a nice arse,” Owyn said, keeping his voice pitched for her ears alone. “He wants to get friendly when we get where we’re going.”
She smiled. “Well, he’s right. You do have a nice arse.”
“Aria!” Owyn stared at her until she giggled. Then he let out a long breath and tried to explain, “Look, I was a street whore for a long time. I’m not shy about sex. But I don’t think I’ve ever been propositioned that openly before when there wasn’t money involved. It’s... it’s—”
“Unnerving?” Aria asked. She nodded. “Jehan warned me, weeks ago. We spoke privately one night, when I couldn’t sleep. He told me that I shouldn’t be surprised by my Earth and their views on sex, because in the Earth tribes, sex is not considered something about which to be shy. They are more open in their relationships, especially among the healers, he said. He said that he used to shock my mother regularly, when they were Companions to my father.”
“Jehan. That’s Aven’s father,” Owyn said. He took Aria’s hand as they started to walk. “Aven’s not that forward.”
“Aven was raised Water,” Aria said. “They’ve moved him into the wagon, so we’re ready to go. Owyn, will you ride in the wagon with him?”
Owyn looked at her. “I’m fine—” he started to say. Then he stopped. “But you want me to keep an eye on him.”
She smiled. “Treesi says that she’s not a full healer yet, and she says that when she was last tested, she was a level two healer. A low two. She is not as strong a healer as Aven is, and she’s not sure that her healing trance will keep him asleep until we get there. If he wakes, he will stay quiet if you’re with him. He won’t fuss.”
“Much. He won’t fuss much,” Owyn corrected, and she laughed.
“He won’t fuss much,” she agreed. He squeezed her hand and nodded.
“I’ll ride in the wagon with him,” he said. “Will you take Freckles? He knows you. Assuming you didn’t bring Star. Did you fly the whole way from wherever?”
“I flew. So I will take Freckles.”
Owyn nodded, and let her hand fall as they reached the wagon. He climbed up into the back, sitting down with his back against the side. Aven lay silent and still next to him, partially covered by a rough, wool blanket. Next to him were his swords and Owyn’s smoke blades. Owyn rested his hand on Aven’s uninjured shoulder. They were all right. He could relax now.
“Did you bind his arm?” Treesi asked, climbing up into the driver’s seat.
“Yeah,” Owyn answered. “It was the only thing I could think of to do.”
“It was a good idea,” she said. “Has he woken up at all?”
“He woke up... not long before the guards found us. I gave him something to drink, and he talked to me a little.”
“He was coherent?” Treesi nodded. “That’s a good sign. All right.” She looked around, then picked up the reins. “You’re missing your shirt. If you’re cold, there’s another blanket back there, if you want it. There’s a bit of a nip in the air this morning. It’s early for it, too. It’ll be a cold winter.”
Owyn found the blanket, rolled up against the side of the wagon. He shook it out and wrapped it around his shoulders. As he did, he heard something shift and clink. A bundle. A bundle that he recognized. At least, he recognized the cloth. It was the tattered remains of his shirt. He reached over, unwrapped the bundle, then coughed and wrapped it up again.
“I thought you might want them,” Treesi murmured. “So I saved them. And if you don’t want them, then someone else will. They’re good quality.”
“Treesi—”
She turned in her seat, her eyes wide. “Owyn, am I making you uncomfortable?”
“Yeah,” he answered. “Yeah, a bit. It’s a bit much.”
“I should have remembered that. Alanar is always telling me I need to be careful around people who aren’t Earth, and who aren’t healers. That you’re not like us. That you’re not as open about loving.”
“It’s just new, is all,” Owyn hurried to say. “I’m not used to it. Well, not anymore. And who?”
“What? Oh, Alanar? He’s my training partner.” She turned around again, and snapped the reins. “He keeps reminding me that people who weren’t brought up in a healing center won’t see things the way I do.”
The wagon started to move, and Owyn shifted so that he could sit and look up at her profile as she drove. Her freckles were interesting — scattered across her cheeks, and all up and down her arms. He wondered if there were any anywhere else. Trey had freckles, Owyn remembered. All over his back. Owyn used to play connect-the-dots with them. He nodded, and yawned, then looked around and saw Aria riding on the other side of the wagon, where she could watch him and Aven, and see the road. She smiled at him.
“You can sleep, if you want to,” Treesi added. “It’ll take us a while to get where we’re going.”
“And we won’t be bothered?” Owyn asked. “By guards?”
“They’ve all been dealt with,” Treesi said. “There were only two squads outside the village yesterday, and that’s who followed us. Aria thinks they sent one squad on ahead and around to lay the trap, and you got almost half of that one. We picked up the rest of that squad, and did for the others.”
“They won’t send out anymore?” Owyn yawned again, hearing his jaw crackle.
“Not for hours,” Treesi said. “Not until they realize that this lot is long overdue. And by then, we’ll be safe.” She reached back with one hand and smoothed his hair. “Go to sleep, Owyn.”
Owyn smiled. He shifted around until he could stretch out next to Aven. He rested his hand on Aven’s stomach, pillowed his head on his other arm, and closed his eyes, letting the swaying of the wagon rock him to sleep. By the time he woke up, they’d be safe.
He wasn’t expecting to be woken by Aven screaming.
CHAPTER TWELVE
OWYN BOLTED UPRIGHT when Aven started screaming, looking for whoever was attacking them. But the only person he saw was Treesi, who was swearing as she tried to control the startled donkey. It was dark, the space dimly lit by widely spaced torches that smoked and sputtered. Aven’s screams echoed off the stone walls that were close enough for him to reach out and touch. A tunnel? Were they in a tunnel? Or a... oh, fuck!
“Oh, no,” he gasped, understanding. He rolled onto his knees, catching Aven’s flailing arm just before Aven connected, and got down next to him, pinning him down gently. Aven’s eye was open, but Owyn didn’t think Aven was seeing him at all. No, he was twenty years ago, and underwater.
“Aven!” he shouted. “Aven, listen to me!” He shifted until he was kneeling over Aven, almost nose-to-nose. “Aven, it’s Owyn! It’s Mouse! Come on, it’s all right. I’m here. You’re not alone.”
“Owyn!”
He hear Aria’s voice, but didn’t look up. “Aven, you’re not alone,” he repeated. “You’re safe.”
Aven’s breath hitched. There were no words in his voice, only sounds, “..c-c-c-c-c-c-c!”
“I know,” Owyn said, trying to be gentle. “I know, we’re in a cave.”
“It’s not,” Treesi called. “We’re in a tunnel. We’re almost through. What’s happening?”
“You hear that?” Owyn demanded. “Aven, it’s not a cave. It’s a tunnel. A tunnel! We’re almost out. We’re almost through. You’re not trapped. You’re not alone. Aven, can you hear me?”
Aven’s breath hitched again, and when he breathed out, it was like a low whistle that ended with: “M—mouse?”
“Yeah,” Owyn gasped. “Yeah, Fishie. It’s me. You’re all right.” He paused. “Well, you’re not entirely all right. But you’re not trapped. We’re not in a cave, and I’m here. Aria is here. Somewhere. Treesi is here. We’ve got you.”
Treesi climbed down into the back of the wagon, kneeling next to Owyn. He looked past her to see Teva had taken the reins. “What happened?” she asked
“I’ll explain later,” Owyn whispered. “Can you put him out again?”
“Move over a little,” she said. He shifted, and she moved into his place. “Aven, do you know me?”
Aven frowned slightly. Then he smiled. “Treesi.”
“Good. I’m going to put you back into a healing trance.” She rested her hand on his chest. “When you wake up again, we’ll be out of the tunnel.”
“... understand.”
“Good,” Treesi murmured. She closed her eyes, and Owyn watched as Aven’s body softened and relaxed, as his breathing slowed. He sat back and let out a breath, closing his eyes. He was, he realized, shaking. Where was Aria?
“What was that?” Treesi demanded.
“He was trapped in a cave when he was little,” Owyn answered. “He told us he doesn’t know how long he was trapped before his mother got him out. And he doesn’t do well with caves now. I wasn’t expecting this, though. When we went into the caves in Forge, he wasn’t nearly like this.”
“Doesn’t do well... that’s an understatement! And no one thought to tell me this?” she asked. “I could have reinforced the trance before we got here!”
“And when exactly was I supposed to do that?” Owyn asked in response. “When I was snoring? In case you forgot, I had no fucking idea where we were going, and you told me to go to sleep! Where’s Aria? She’d have told you, if you’d asked her.”
As if on cue, he heard Aria’s raised voice, “Treesi? Owyn?” She sounded shrill. “One of you needs to answer me!”
“He’s all right, Aria!” Owyn called back. “You can smooth your feathers!”
“Be gentle! There’s no room for her to ride next to us,” Treesi said softly. “This tunnel is barely wider than the wagon. But it’s a smoother road than the wider tunnel. She’s riding near the front, with Marik. We wanted to make sure she had room. Teva, get us moving again. I’m staying back here.”
“Yes, Treesi,” Teva said, and the wagon lurched. She leaned over Aven, resting her hand on the skin of his chest where his shirt hung open. Then she sat back.
“We’ll have the Senior Healer see to him once we get into the center,” she said. “I have him stable, but I’m not a strong enough healer yet to do more than that.”
“You’re doing a lot more than I can,” Owyn said.
“I don’t think I would have been able to calm him down,” Treesi pointed out. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. Do you want to go back to sleep? We’re not there yet, but it won’t be very long.”
“Nah, I’m awake now,” Owyn said with a shake of his head. He rolled his shoulders, then looked down at himself and held the blanket open. “Want to share? It’s cold.”
Treesi smiled and moved to sit next to him, close enough that he could close the blanket around them. It was only once she was pressed against his side that he realized what he’d done — he was half-naked, with a beautiful woman cuddled up against his side.
“You’re very tense,” she murmured. “Are you all right?”
“I...” Owyn started. He cleared his throat. “This... isn’t an invitation. And I don’t mean to be insulting, or rude, or... or anything. I just...” He stopped, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then let it out. “It’s been a long day, Treesi.”
“And it’s not even midday yet,” she said with a giggle. “But I understand. You were being sweet and protective, and wanted to keep me warm. Thank you.” She rested her head on his shoulder. Her hair smelled like lavender and sunlight. “Don’t worry. I’ll behave myself. I’ll wait until you’re more used to me before I ask you for sex.”
“Excuse me?” Owyn yelped. She giggled again.
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” she asked. “You’re awfully cute. I like how intense you get, when you’re concentrating. I like your muscles. You’re a smith, Aria said. That means you’re strong. And we’re almost the same height. It isn’t often I meet someone who isn’t miles taller than me.” She snuggled closer still, and Owyn was suddenly much warmer under the blanket than he had been before.
“I...”
“Am I making you uncomfortable again?” she asked.
Owyn opened his mouth, and the truth fell out. “Only because my trousers are getting tight.”
Treesi giggled, and Teva laughed merrily. Owyn had forgotten the man was in earshot. He swallowed, and tried to focus on Aven. Tried to think of something dull. Bloodlines. That was it. Aria was the daughter of Milon, who was the son of Varia, who was the daughter of Meris. Meris was the daughter of Armiona, daughter of— A hand on his thigh drove all thoughts of lineages and bloodlines out of his mind. He turned toward Treesi to find her looking at him, close enough that he could feel her breath on his face. In the shadows, he couldn’t see the color of her eyes, and at the moment, he really needed to know if they were as green as Aven had said they were.
Then the wagon rolled out into the sunlight, and Teva laughed and called out, “We’re here! Welcome to Terraces!”
Owyn looked around, trying to see everything all at once. There was a lot to see — they had come out of the tunnel into what looked like a park in a city that was cut into the cliffside. The city was terraced, with levels rising above the park, and, he assumed, below. He could smell salt water, and wondered if they overlooked the sea. The idea made him queasy.
Teva drew the wagon to a stop near a ramp that led to a lower terrace, and which was crowded with people. Owyn saw a familiar face in the group — Memfis!
“Got a wounded man here!” Teva shouted. “Need a litter! He needs to get to the Senior Healer now!”
From where he sat, Owyn saw Memfis’ face go ashen, saw his father start to push through the crowd. Owyn cursed softly and swarmed out of the blanket, jumping down from the wagon as Memfis came running up.
“Mouse!” Memfis gasped. He grabbed Owyn by the shoulders and looked him up and down. “You’re not hurt.”
“No, it’s Aven,” Owyn said. “They took down Cloud with a tangle rope. He was thrown—” All at once he was engulfed in a tight embrace, his face pressed against Memfis’ chest. He awkwardly hugged Memfis back — the smith had never been demonstrative before, and Owyn wasn’t sure how to respond. Memfis let him go, looked him up and down once more, then frowned.
“Where’s your shirt? And Trinket?”
“My shirt got torn up,” Owyn answered. “Trinket is with Aven. At least, she was the last time I looked. And Aria... where’s Aria?”
