The Eighth Warden Ch. 007-008

He hurried over and helped her sit down on a fallen log at the side of the road.

"Thank you," she said quietly, then glanced at the bandits' bodies. She swallowed, then quickly averted her eyes. She didn't seem to have noticed the barrier shield.

"Well, that was bracing," Bobo said.

Corec just looked at him.

"All right, all right," Bobo said. "I'll be quiet. Actually, I think I may need to sit down, too." He joined Katrin on the log and put his head down in his hands.

Dot had trotted off in the commotion, Corec whistled for her to return before he walked back to the bodies. The man with the crossbow had fallen on his side, while the other one had fallen forward. Corec used his foot to nudge both of them onto their backs. He still wasn't used to seeing dead bodies—even as a caravan guard, he could count the number of real fights he'd been in on one hand. Staring at them now, he noticed a resemblance between the two men.

"I think these are the Herman brothers," he said, wishing he'd looked more carefully at the poster.

"Who?" Katrin asked.

"When I was in Tyrsall, looking at bounties, they were on the board. Bandits and murderers." He subtly pointed in Bobo's direction, reminding Katrin that they hadn't mentioned there was a bounty out for her as well. Her lips tightened but she nodded.

"How much are they worth?" Bobo asked, looking up.

"I wasn't paying attention," Corec said, "but for murderers, I think it's usually five gold each. And I assume they don't have to be taken in alive." Ten gold coins was a lot of money.

"Are you going to claim it?" Bobo asked.

Corec looked down at the bodies, considering it. "I'd have to get them to Tyrsall, and we're going in the opposite direction. It'll be at least four weeks until I'm back there. Even if I head that way now, it's a week away, and I'm not going to drag two dead bodies around for that long."

"I think you only need to take their heads," Bobo said. "That's how they do it in Matagor, anyway."

Corec shuddered. "I don't think I'm going to do that, either. I don't know why I thought I was cut out for this bounty hunting business."

"Maybe you were just greedy," Katrin said bitterly.

"No, I don't think that's it," he said, meeting her gaze. She turned away, looking uncomfortable. He still wasn't sure why he'd come after her—it wasn't like him to be that impetuous. He'd found her attractive and had wanted to talk to her, but he hadn't thought about what would happen after he'd caught her.

Bobo glanced at them curiously, but didn't ask what they were talking about.

Facing him, Corec said, "If you want the heads, you're welcome to them. You can take enough food to get you back to the city, and ten gold should let you do whatever you were planning to do."

"No, no, that's quite all right," Bobo said. "I'll come with you to the forest. I've always wanted to see Terrillia."

"They won't let us see Terrillia," Corec reminded him. "Just the border camps. Let me see what these fellows have, then you can help me bury them."

He searched the men for their coin pouches, finding a mix of silver and copper that totaled over two gold coins between them. That would be enough to pay for Katrin's mule and the food and supplies he'd purchased, so he took it for himself. The sword was worthless, but the crossbow was in good shape, and the same man had a decent-looking dagger with an eight-inch blade.

Corec took the dagger over to Katrin. "Here. If we're going to be dealing with bandits, I'd feel more comfortable if you carried a weapon of some sort."

She took it from him and looked down at her dress, which didn't have a belt. It did, however, have small, decorative laces at each hip, used for tightening the dress around her waist. She untied the bow on her left side and strung the laces through the scabbard's belt loop, tying it again tightly.

"Thank you," she said.

"That's twice you've thanked me in five minutes," he murmured so Bobo couldn't overhear. "If you're not careful, you're going to forget you hate me."

She tried to glare at him, but there was a ghost of a smile on her face.

"We can probably sell the crossbow back at the village," he said, "unless either of you know how to use it."

Katrin shook her head.

"I understand the principle," Bobo said, "but I've never tried."

"I could teach you if you'd like." Corec had learned to use one during his time at Fort Hightower, but he didn't like to carry the cumbersome weapon himself. He'd never been in the position of ambushing someone else, and as the person defending against ambushes, he didn't want to waste time cocking a crossbow.

"I don't think I could bring myself to shoot someone," Bobo said.

Corec sighed. Apparently the man wouldn't be of any more use in future fights than he'd been in this one.

"All right, I'll sell it, then. Go grab the camp shovel off the pack mule and let's see about burying these two."

While Bobo was off doing that, Katrin asked, "Is ten gold enough to pay my penalty, so I wouldn't have to go to prison?"

"I didn't ask them, but I'm sure it is, unless you stole a lot more than you let on. Why? Do you want to carry the heads back to Tyrsall?"

She shivered. "No. I was just curious. And anyway, we need to go see the elves."

#

Two days later, early in the evening, they came across a trading caravan setting up camp in a large, clear area on one side of the road. There were ten cargo wagons laid out in a loose circle, though the circle was large so there was a lot of space between them. At the rear of one, two men had set up an awning and were laying out cooking supplies.

The camp was busier than Katrin had expected, with several guards standing around the edges while drivers were setting up picket lines for the mules.

She knew this was probably the caravan Corec had been looking for, so she was tempted to put on her cloak and hood to hide her mark, but it was too hot. Hopefully nobody would pay any attention to her. She followed Corec to the edge of the camp, then came to a halt when he did. Flower walked up to stand next to her, so she scratched the mule's neck while Bobo drew even with them.

Beyond the camp, far in the distance, Katrin saw a massive pine tree poking above all the others. It must have been three times the height of the tallest trees near it.

"What's that?" she asked, pointing.

"Elf tree," Corec said. "That's just one by itself, but wait until we get to the forest and you're surrounded by them. I told you you'd know it when you saw it."

"I've read about them, but I've never seen one before," Bobo said, staring.

"Elf tree?" Katrin asked.

"Well, that's not what they call them," Corec said, "but I don't remember their word for it."

"Corec? Heyo!" a thick, bearded man said as he came up to them. He wore brigandine armor and carried a shield, and had a sword and scabbard on his belt. "Company send you out after us?"

"Hey, Melos," Corec said, his speech falling into a drawl that matched the guard's. "No, I was just heading this way myself. You've got a small caravan this time."

"Always small this time of year. Shipments to Terril will get bigger after the harvest. We're just carrying iron ingots."

"Who's master for this run?"

"Lors. He's taken it over regular."

"Oh, good. I know him. Mind if we come on through?"

"Go ahead."

Melos stood aside, letting them pass. Katrin and Bobo followed Corec through a gap between wagons, still leading their animals, then waited while he sought out a man dressed in nicer clothing than the rest, with gray hair and a mustache. Katrin listened while they spoke.

"Lors," Corec said.

"I know you," the man said. "A couple years back, right?"

"Yes. Name's Corec. We made the Terril run, then a few months later I substituted for one of the regulars to High Cove."

"That's right. I don't do High Cove anymore, though. So what are you doing out here? They got you on messenger duty now?"

"Messenger duty, but not for Senshall. Someone had something they wanted brought out to the elves. I was heading this direction anyway, so I took the job. You mind if we keep you company on the way in? We brought our own food, and I'm willing to stand a watch."

"The boys would appreciate that," Lors said. "The company's cut us back to four men for the smaller Terril runs. They say there haven't been any problems out this way in years."

"We ran into a couple bandits just two days ago," Corec said. "They won't be a problem anymore."

"Good to know. I'll tell the bosses." Lors nodded toward Katrin and Bobo. "I've never seen your friends before."

"They won't cause any problems, and the girl's a bard. Free music tonight if you want it."

Katrin's eyes went wide. She hadn't performed by herself since leaving Circle Bay, and those had always been very small groups. There must have been twenty-five people in the camp, and for groups that large, she'd always worked with Felix. She wished Corec hadn't said anything.

Lors looked her over more carefully, so she smiled and tried to appear confident.

"Music, eh? I could go for that. What's that on her head, though?"

She flushed in embarrassment.

"It's a tattoo," Corec said. "A special kind of ink." Apparently he'd decided that Bobo's idea was the best way of passing off her mark. She would have been mad, except she hadn't had any better ideas herself.

Lors nodded. "And you'll make sure there's no trouble?"

"I'll see to it," Corec said. "By the way, I hear you're carrying a load of iron? Anything besides that? I'd like to bring a gift for the elves, since I'm not part of the caravan."

"A few of the boys brought extras—check with them."

"Thanks," Corec said, then returned to Katrin and Bobo.

As Lors walked away, Katrin hissed, "Why didn't you ask me first, before saying I'd play tonight?"

"What's the problem? I wanted to make sure he'd let us stay. Maybe a few of them will even tip you, so I don't have to keep buying everything you need."

She glared at him. "I'm not used to performing alone."

"You did fine that night at the inn while your uncle was working the crowd."

"That was just a couple of songs!"

"These folks will be happy with whatever you want to do. They don't get a lot of chances to hear music. You don't have anything to worry about—you've got a nice voice and you play well."

"Oh." She hadn't realized he'd liked her performance. "All right, I suppose."

"You didn't offer my services?" Bobo said.

Corec shook his head. "I'm still not entirely sure what those services are, and you don't want to go around pretending to be a priest with this lot."

"Very well. Perhaps I'll try to find some herbs this evening, then. What was that about making sure there won't be any trouble?"

"Katrin's the only woman in camp," Corec said. "It should be fine, but you and I need to make sure she doesn't go anywhere alone, in case one of the boys tries to take advantage of her."

Surprised, Katrin looked around the camp again. She hadn't realized until then that every person she'd seen was a man. Corec had proven able to handle himself against the bandits, but she hated having to depend on him for protection.

There wasn't much she could do about it, though, so she just said, "What now?"

"Let's set ourselves up a little bit outside the circle," Corec said. "After we eat, I need to see what extras the traders brought, and then we'll see if Lors wants you to perform tonight."

#

Two hours later, Katrin and Corec were looking over the wares the traders had brought, while Bobo was off searching for herbs. After three days, Katrin didn't mind having a break from him and his constant talking.

"What about this?" she asked, holding up a little brass bird.

Corec examined it. "It's pretty, but the elves' ornamental work is usually better than ours. Someone there may buy it, but I'm not sure it would be a good choice for a gift."

"Well, what, then? There's not a lot of choice."

"The dried peppers, I suppose." He turned to the trader who was standing nearby. "How much for the bag? And are these the only peppers you brought for this trip?"

"Seven silver, and yes, these are all I brought."

Corec winced at the price. "I'll give you three."

They eventually settled on five, and the trader handed over the bag.

As Katrin and Corec walked away, she said, "Peppers? Really?"

"Well, they're expensive for what they are, but not so much I can't afford them. The elves can't grow them in the forest, and it's not something they get regular shipments of."

"I guess that makes sense," Katrin admitted.

"To be honest, I don't really know if it's a good idea or not," Corec said. "I've only been there a few times, and I haven't run into many elves outside the forest."

She liked that he was willing to admit that. "But you think we need a gift?"

"The elves—the wood elves, at least—don't usually use money other than when dealing with human merchants. They're more likely to barter for what they need. If we're asking for information, or for help in getting rid of the runes, I think we should offer something in return."

She nodded.

Lors waved them over from where he stood watching a pair of men change a wagon wheel. When they reached him, he said, "Miss, are you willing to play for us now?"

"Oh," Corec said, "I should have introduced you. Lors, this is Katrin, the bard."

"Miss Katrin, then," Lors said.

"I'll go get my instruments." She'd need to tune the harp, too. She felt guilty—this would be the first time she'd played since Felix had left. She should have been practicing every day, but she hadn't wanted to play in front of Corec after he'd betrayed her. Over the last few days, though, her anger had begun to fade. The two of them were stuck in the same situation with the runes, and there was no way she could have dealt with the bandits on her own. Perhaps it was time to put the past behind her—not that she necessarily needed to tell him that.

Fifteen minutes later, she was ready. Lors had set up a stool for her in the center of the large camp, and she waited with him as he called people over.

"Everyone, gather around!" Lors shouted. "We've got guests tonight. One of them, Miss Katrin here, is an actual bard. She's going to play for us, so don't go making asses of yourselves!"

Well, it wasn't the worst introduction she'd ever gotten. As people drew close, they glanced curiously at the mark on her forehead. The story that Corec and Bobo had been using—that it was a tattoo with some special ink that made it glow—seemed to be working, but she still didn't like how everyone's eyes were drawn to it.

When she and Felix played to an audience, Felix usually did the talking, so she skipped that part, took a seat on the stool, and jumped right into her first song—a flute rendition of a playful, lively tune. The men chose to sing along, but the lyrics they used were a version she hadn't heard before, about a city girl who went for a walk in the country and lost her dress, then managed to lose the rest of her clothes while she searched for it.

Katrin felt herself blush while she played, but, thankfully, the song was short. She switched to her harp next and sang a love ballad.

She hadn't used her bardic skills—such as they were—on the first song, since it was harder to do when she wasn't singing. She used those skills now, though, to push the emotions of yearning and desire onto her audience...though not too much desire, since she didn't want them getting any ideas.

Trained bards could do much more. They could make people believe they were seeing actual scenes that took place in the song. When she'd had the opportunity to listen to real bards, she'd seen visions of heroic kings, glorious battles, and couples finding true love. In Circle Bay, she'd once snuck into a concert given by a master bard who performed songs that were about music itself. With just a flute, he'd been able to make the audience see and hear an entire orchestra and choir.

She supposed it must be some sort of magic, though she'd never heard anyone refer to it that way. The bardic school in Circle Bay had refused to take her on as a student, just as the one in Tyrsall had, so she'd never been able to learn more about it. She'd looked for the master bard after his performance, to ask him to teach her, but he'd left the building by a different door and left the city soon after.

Katrin wondered, if her bardic skills were magic, whether they might have anything to do with the glowing mark on her forehead. She'd never heard of such a thing, and it didn't explain why Corec had one too, but she had to at least consider the possibility. It would be embarrassing at this point to discover that she'd been the one responsible all along, and she silently hoped that wasn't the case. She pushed a little hope into the song at an appropriate spot, even though that wasn't usually part of the performance.

When she noticed Corec and Bobo watching from the crowd, she grew self-conscious and decided not to sing any more love songs. Plus, while the all-male audience was listening politely, they didn't seem particularly interested in the song, even with the extra heft from her bardic abilities. She decided she needed to change things up—for her next song, she sang a little ditty about Arodisis, the goddess of love and beauty, foiling Fox's plans to spy on her as she bathed. That one got the audience laughing and charged up, and Katrin began to feel the familiar exhilaration of performing in front of a crowd. She'd decided to avoid any sad songs, so her next choice was a battle hymn. It wasn't really appropriate for her voice, but she managed to pull it off, and even though she hadn't practiced in several days, it felt like it was easier for her to use her bardic skills. She let the audience feel what they might have felt while preparing to ride to victory.

While she played, Corec walked up and dropped a copper coin in her harp case, which prompted Lors and a couple of the other men to do so as well. She wouldn't make much from this group, she knew, but it would be nice to have some money of her own.

As she sang, she was already picking out other songs she could perform by herself, enjoying the chance to make her own choices rather than following her uncle's.

#

Ellerie di'Valla sat at a table in the dingy inn, staring at her mother's spy. He'd dyed his silver hair black and wore it over his ears to fit in better with the humans, though no one who'd seen an elf before would mistake his face if they got a good glimpse. She didn't bother to hide her own nature—her hair was tied back behind her ears, and she wore the true color openly.

"Well?" she said. "You found me. Again."

"You have duties in Terevas, Exalted," he said.

"Terevas is a prison. I don't have duties—the High Council merely wishes to find someone they can manipulate better than they can my mother."

"Exalted, please, I must ask that you return home. The queen is very ill."

"She's been pretending to be ill for five years now. She likes the look on her enemies' faces when they realize her mind is as sharp as ever."

"She's not pretending. She hasn't been able to attend Council meetings for the past two months."

Ellerie winced, though she tried to hide it. Without her mother to guide them, the councilors would never be able to agree on anything. But she couldn't return to that life—she despised everything about it. And even if her mother wasn't well, Ellerie had no desire to visit the manipulative, vindictive woman.

"Send Vilisa in her place," she suggested. "She's good at that sort of thing, and Mother can provide guidance behind the scenes."

"Your sister's only a hundred and three. She's still eight years from reaching majority."

"So? She's the heir. She can be appointed no matter her age."