Forged in Fire, page 7
“He gets this way often?” Aven asked. He looked back. “He isn’t a danger to Aria, is he?”
“No!” Owyn gasped. He laughed. “No. If we had anything to drink right now, he’d be more of a danger to himself, really. Since we don’t, he’ll grumble and stew for a while, and then he’ll figure out what he really needs to do. And he’ll do it.” He turned and looked back up the slope. “He’d get like this every so often. And the first time, I thought he was going to hurt me. He wasn’t,” he hastened to add. “He never would. I know that now. But back then, I was still fresh off the streets, still so new in the house that the stripes hadn’t really healed yet. So he got dark, and I got scared... and I tried to crawl into his bed.”
Aven stopped. “You... what?”
“Remember, I hadn’t learned yet that I was anything other than a whore. I had one trick. I thought if I could get him off, he’d be nicer to me.” Owyn swallowed, suddenly cold. “Shit,” he breathed. “This is another one of those things that I never tell anyone, and here I go, running my mouth.”
Aven stepped in behind him, pressing against Owyn’s back and wrapping his arms around Owyn’s shoulders. “I won’t tell anyone. Not even Aria, if you don’t want me to.”
“I’ll tell her, when I’m ready.” Owyn leaned back against Aven. He rested his head against Aven’s shoulder and closed his eyes. “Not really enough time to do anything.”
“This is something,” Aven answered. “I like holding you. Just being with you is something.” He paused, then let out a short breath that ruffled the hair over Owyn’s ear. “Did Aria talk to you at all?”
“No,” Owyn answered. “About what?”
“She was waiting for me when I got back last night. She came swimming with me,” Aven said. “And she wanted me to have sex with her.”
Owyn coughed, and turned around to face Aven. “She did?” he stammered. “And... you did?”
Aven shook his head. “No. I told her no.” He frowned. “Well, I didn’t tell her. But you get the idea. She was right that we need to wait. But she’s frustrated that we get to have what she can’t have yet.”
Owyn shifted from one foot to the other, wondering about the weird feeling in his belly, like a corkscrew digging away at his entrails. “It’s only a couple of days more,” he said slowly, feeling sweat prickling along his spine. Where was Aven going with this?
Aven nodded. He rested his forearms on Owyn’s shoulders, linking his fingers behind Owyn’s neck. “When we next have the time and place, I think she’d appreciate it if we invited her to watch,” he said.
Owyn closed his eyes and nodded quickly. “That’s fine.”
“What?” Aven asked. “What’s wrong?”
“I... I thought you might be saying you didn’t want me anymore, because she was upset that she couldn’t have you yet and I could.” The words fell over themselves to get out as Owyn opened his mouth, and he swallowed and shivered, afraid to look any further up than the blue and white stone that sat in the hollow of Aven’s collarbone.
“Owyn,” Aven murmured. Warm fingers cupped Owyn’s face, raising his head, and he met Aven’s hazel eyes — warm brown and gold, with a bare hint of green, like new leaves in spring. Aven studied him. then leaned down and kissed him, his lips warm and tasting of salt. Owyn shivered again, and Aven pulled him close.
“I’m not telling you that I don’t want you,” Aven said, his voice rumbling in Owyn’s ear. “And I didn’t tell you that to hurt you.” He chuckled. “If we had the time right now, there’s a sheltered spot near the stream—”
“I saw it,” Owyn murmured. “When we were watering the horses. In the trees.”
“If I didn’t think they’d come looking for us, I’d be pulling you off there right now,” Aven rumbled. “I do want you. I love you, Mouse.”
“And you love her,” Owyn added, and mentally kicked himself. But Aven laughed.
“Yes, I do love her. And so do you. And she loves us both. She wants us to be happy.”
Owyn nodded, his cheek scraping on the front of Aven’s shirt. “You know, there are things that you can do, that we can do with her that won’t get her pregnant.”
A long pause, then... “Oh?”
“Yeah.” Owyn tipped his head back. “I can teach you. Teach you both.”
Aven smiled. “Once we have the time, and a place, you can teach us. Master Owyn, our expert.”
Owyn laughed, and the tension drained out of him like water from a sieve. “Do you want to tell her that, or should I?”
“We’ll both tell her,” Aven answered. “We should go back. I’m hungry.”
THERE WAS NO TIME TO tell Aria anything. Once they’d finished eating, Memfis picked up the map.
“I have two ideas,” he said, unrolling the map. He stopped, and didn’t continue until Aven, Aria, and Owyn had moved around to sit around the map. Then Memfis pointed. “We’re here,” he said. “The village where we’ll resupply is here. And the healing center is there. Now, if you all are right, we can’t go anywhere near the healing center. At least, not this healing center.” He pointed to another spot, farther east, closer to the mountains. “There’s another center here. Another ten to twelve days on the road, depending on weather. But there’s a good-sized town here.” He tapped his finger on a spot marked with a figure of a house and a well, located about halfway between the healing centers. “We resupply at the village here, and head inland. Resupply again when we hit that town, and go to the healing center in the foothills.”
“What is the other idea?” Aria asked.
Memfis pointed to a spot farther north on the coast. “This is a Water and Earth fishing village. Aven suggested it, and it’s a good idea. I know this village, and I’m almost certain that we’ll find allies here. But to get there...”
“We have to pass the healing center,” Owyn finished, and shook his head. “And risk being seen. We can’t do that.” He looked at the map. “Looks like we pass two other villages to get there. What about those?”
Memfis shook his head. “I don’t know them. I’ve already put us at enough risk with unknowns.”
“So we go inland?” Aven asked. “And then what?”
“We go north,” Aria answered. “We go to the Solstice village, and I fly up to the mountains to my flock, and to raise the Air tribe. And possibly to find my Air.” She cocked her head to the side, studying the map. Then she touched it. “This is the Solstice village, isn’t it?”
“That’s it,” Memfis confirmed. “But I don’t think we’d get there before the first snow, and if we don’t, then we won’t get there at all until spring.” He sighed and shook his head, then rolled the map up. He handed it to Owyn. “Put this away, Mouse?”
Owyn took the map and held it. “What about going back to Forge?” he asked. “They know we’re gone, so they won’t look for us there. We can winter there and set out again in the spring?”
“That’s the ‘everything else has failed’ plan,” Memfis said slowly. “I hate to do it, because if we go back with nothing, there’s no way the Council will support us. Not again.”
“So we will not fail,” Aria said, her voice firm. “We will go on, and we will do what we intended to do. But first, we need to resupply. Who is going with you?”
Memfis blinked. Then he smiled. “I thought about taking Owyn, but Aven was right about that, too. Mouse, you stay here with Aria. Aven, you come with me.” He looked at Aven. “Change your shirt. That one is all over dirt. Leave your vest, and get your scarf.”
Aven nodded and got to his feet. “My vest is packed. I didn’t want it to get ruined. What else do I need?”
“Leave your swords here, and take off your gem,” Memfis answered. “And when we get to the village, you’re Este again. Just in case the name Aven is being bandied around.”
Aven stopped in the middle of taking his shirt off. “Do I have to leave my gem?”
“It’s safer,” Memfis answered. “We don’t want someone to recognize it. Oh, and try not to talk once we’re in the village.”
Aven’s jaw dropped, and he sputtered for a moment before demanding, “Why?”
Owyn turned. “You didn’t know? No one told you?” he glanced at Aria. “You didn’t tell him?”
She shook her head. “I thought it was me. I didn’t realize until we got to Forge. It didn’t occur to me to say anything.”
“About what?” Aven asked, laughing. “What is it?”
“Water folk talk differently,” Memfis answered. “Differences in inflection, in vowel sounds. You’ve got a distinct Water accent.”
Aven frowned. Then he looked thoughtful. “I do?” he said slowly. Then he grinned. “And here I thought it was all of you that sounded funny.”
Aria squeaked. “I do not sound funny!”
“A little, love,” Aven said as he went to his pack and took out a fresh shirt. He put it on and tucked it in, recinching his trousers. Then he took off the Water gem. He closed his hand around it, then held it out to Aria. “Will you hold this for me?”
She took the gem from Aven’s hand. “Until you return,” she said. Then she glared at him. “And I do not sound funny.”
Aven laughed. He leaned down and kissed her, then wound the scarf around his neck. He held his arms out. “Am I ready?”
Owyn got up and joined Aria, studying Aven. He stepped forward, adjusting the scarf, then stepped back. Frowned.
“No, you’re missing something,” he said slowly. Aven looked down, then up.
“What?” he asked.
Owyn grinned. “Couple of solid kisses from each of us,” he answered, and moved closer. “Definitely need those before you go.”
“YOU’RE GOOD FOR HIM,” Memfis said. They’d opted to ride into the village, and had brought Anvil to carry back their supplies. Memfis brought Dasher alongside Cloud so that he could talk to Aven without raising his voice. “You and Aria both. You’re good for him.”
Aven nodded, then stole a sideways look at Memfis. The older man seemed more relaxed now that they had a plan. Which was, he realized, just as Owyn had said. Grumble and stew, then figure out what needed to be done and do it. “He’s good for me,” he said. “I’d be lost without him. Without them.” He looked forward again. “What do I do, once we’re in the village? Besides not talk?”
“We’ll find a place to tether the horses,” Memfis answered. “Then just follow me.”
Aven smiled. “Sounds like I’ll be bored,” he said.
“You won’t be bored,” Memfis answered.
And he wasn’t. From the moment they rode into the village, Aven had to fight not to stare. He was expecting something like Forge, but smaller. He’d been wrong. There was a central well, surrounded by a rough square of buildings. In front of most of the buildings were small structures that reminded him of the deck shelters on canoes. Each one had a table of wares, or baskets, or things hanging.
“There’s luck. Market day,” Memfis murmured. He led the way to the well, and dismounted, tethering Dasher to a post that seemed to be there just for that reason. Aven did the same, and followed Memfis from structure to structure, listening to the conversations, and taking packages as Memfis made purchases. They weren’t the only ones, for all that it was late in the day. Aven saw others doing the same thing. One of them was a young woman with the brightest hair that Aven had ever seen. It was like fire, like Trinket’s fur. He didn’t know human hair came in that color. He watched her as she moved around from merchant to merchant, until her arms were filled with bundles that she carried to a cart near the well. She loaded her bundles in the back of the cart, then went and continued her shopping. It seemed like a good idea, so Aven carried his own bundles to Anvil, and stowed them in the horse’s packs. As he walked back toward Memfis, the woman was coming toward him. She was shorter than he was, shorter even than Owyn. She was plumper and more generously curved than Aria, and her pale skin had an array of golden spots that reminded him of seeing the sun dappling the surface of water when he was submerged. He’d have to ask Memfis what they were called. Then she smiled at him as she passed, and he felt the same bolt of recognition he’d felt when he’d first seen Aria, or Owyn.
Companion. She was a Companion.
Memfis arched a brow at Aven as he rejoined the smith. He glanced over his shoulder, then murmured, “See something you like?”
Aven kept his voice low. “I think I see our Earth.”
Memfis’ eyes widened, and he started to turn. Then he stopped, and walked over to another booth. “I’m needing salt. Two bags, if you have it.”
Aven followed, but kept watching the girl. Another armload of bundles, and she was off to the cart again. As she walked, a small bundle slipped out of her arms and fell to the ground. She didn’t appear to see it. Aven touched Memfis’ arm, then trotted across the square and scooped up the bundle. He followed the girl, who turned to look up at him with eyes as green as vivid coral. He bowed, offered her the bundle, and smiled.
“Oh!” she gasped. “Did I drop that?” He nodded, and she smiled, revealing dimples. “Thank you!” She took the bundle, then took his hand and tugged him closer. Her eyes met his, darted down, then back up, and with her other hand, she grabbed the ends of his scarf and tugged his head down. She moved in closer still, kissed his cheek, then whispered, “If your name is Aven, Waterborn, then you’re in danger. There are uniformed men on the far side of town looking for you.” Then she let him go, stepped back and smiled. He nodded, smiled his thanks, and went back to Memfis, who handed him two bags of salt.
“So, did she thank you nicely?” Memfis asked. “We’re done. Let’s go.”
Aven followed, and pitched his voice low to keep it for Memfis’ ears alone. “She knows who I am,” he said softly. “And she says there are people looking for me on the far side of town.”
Memfis swore softly, then jumped. Aven looked past him, and saw the girl had come up on Memfis’ other side.
“Uncle, I’m ready,” she said sweetly. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
MEMFIS HESITATED, JUST long enough that Aven noticed. Then he smiled. “Of course. I’m done. Este, let’s go.”
“Mama said I was to bring you right home,” the woman continued. She tucked her hand into the crook of Memfis’ elbow and led him toward the cart. “She says that you’re not allowed to be late for dinner again.”
Memfis laughed. “She knows me too well.”
“If you’re late, Mama says that you eat with the pigs,” she finished, and giggled.
Aven trailed behind them, listening to them banter. It was definitely good camouflage, but he couldn’t stop feeling as if he was being watched. He let one of the bags of salt slip from his hand, and as he bent to pick it up, took a look behind him.
There were men and women in matching uniforms entering the village from the far side, fanning out and going to the different merchants. Somehow, Aven didn’t think they were in town to buy supplies. Aven hefted his bundle and trotted after Memfis and the woman. Memfis had tethered Anvil to the back of the cart, and was untying Dasher. Aven put the bundles of salt into Anvil’s packs, then went to untie Cloud, brushing against Memfis as he passed. Memfis looked at him, and Aven made the smallest gesture with his head, barely a nod toward the crowd of guards. Memfis looked, and his eyes widened.
“Let’s get moving,” he said, and helped the woman up into her cart. He mounted Dasher, and Aven pulled himself up onto Cloud’s back as the woman whistled to her donkey and started forward, driving the cart away from the guard, going out of the village in the direction that Memfis and Aven had come. None of them spoke until they were well out of earshot of the village, and then not until the woman stopped her cart and took a long look behind them.
“I don’t think we’re being followed,” she said. “Do you see anyone?”
“No,” Memfis answered. “Thank you.”
She smiled. “Anything to spite Mannon and his flea-ridden dogs,” she proclaimed brightly. “I’m just glad I saw you first. The scarf does hide a lot, until you get up close. And I imagine a lot of girls want to get up close.” She grinned and winked at Aven, who smiled in return.
“Won’t they know he’s not your uncle?” he asked. “The people in the village, I mean. We don’t want you to be in trouble.”
“Oh, I’m not from that village,” she answered. “They don’t know me, and the next time we need supplies, someone else can come. Now, where are you camped? I’ll take you—”
“No, you should go home,” Memfis interrupted. “It’ll be dark soon, and we’ve disrupted your life enough.”
She turned in her seat and looked at Memfis. “I know who you are. I came in from the north, and those guards searched my cart on the way in. I heard them talking. I know that Aven Waterborn is one of the Heir’s Companions. Do you really think I’m not going to do everything I can to help you? To help her? Now where’s your campsite?”
“Let her be, Uncle,” Aven murmured. “It’s her choice.” He raised a brow, and hoped that Memfis remembered what he’d said in the village. “What’s your name?”
She turned back to him and smiled. “I’m Treesi. And I know you’re Aven.” She frowned. “He’s not really your uncle, is he?”
“Memfis, and no,” Memfis answered. “Although... by courtesy, perhaps.”
Treesi’s eyes widened. “Memfis?” she squeaked. “Memfis Fireborn, the Companion?”
Memfis looked startled, then slowly smiled. “That would be me, yes. Now, Treesi, we’re heading that way.” He pointed.
“And then what?” she asked as they started moving again.
“We’re heading east,” Aven answered, ignoring Memfis’ glare. “There’s a healing center near the mountains—”
“Not anymore there isn’t,” Treesi interrupted. “Mannon burned out all the healing centers, once he found out that the healers were working against him. The last one fell... four years ago, I think? Yes, that’s about right. Right after I came west to continue my training.”
