Amaskan's Blood, Raven Oak [read me a book .TXT] 📗

the Ro-maá as a trainee. It was the last job they’d accepted from Alexander. Poor woman had been captured by those who had hired her and tortured her for information. They had wanted the name of who had ordered the hit on some child. Oh Gods—they were asking about me. I didn’t see it then. Damn you, Father. Adelei ground her teeth and focused on repairing the mental wall.

When Mersi’s body had been discovered at the border, her mind was a storm and her body a bloody hurricane. The healers helped Mersi into a trance and helped her build the Ro-maá—the wall. When the woman awoke, much to the shock of Adelei and her classmates, Mersi was calm and alert. Adelei had protested—they couldn’t turn emotions on and off like that.

“Mersi will process the situation as slowly as she needs, but for now, she can carry out her duties without endangering herself or others,” the healer had said.

Even now, Adelei shivered inside the memory. I know it can be damned useful, but it still creeps me out. Certainly never thought I’d need it. But then no one ever does. The meditation technique worked, though Adelei didn’t understand why. Only that it did, and she breathed as she built up her wall again and pushed the old memories back.

Empty the vessel. Like water I flow to the sea, nothing between it and me.

She sank deeper until the wall was twice the width of Midnight’s shoulders and covered in ivy. Adelei lay down in the water that ran alongside it, reveling in the chill that washed over her. Ice water to her temper, to her flame.

When she opened her eyes, she sat relaxed in the saddle. While she wasn’t pleased with Ida, she didn’t feel the need to kill the woman either. A calm neutrality.

Turning to Ida, she said, “I apologize for my behavior and immaturity these past few days. It will not happen again.”

Ida studied her face, surely critiquing every line and muscle movement. Satisfied, she nodded and returned Midnight’s reins. “Good. We approach Tarmsworth.”

Adelei unrolled the map from her saddlebag and located Tarmsworth with a steady finger. A third of the way to Alesta, the capital city. She was right—maybe another day or two in the saddle at the most before we reach Alesta.

Unbidden, her thoughts turned to her sister, a person she didn’t remember and didn’t know. Maybe it was better that way. It was another job guarding another stranger.

Several hours after sundown, they reached the town of Tarmsworth which was nestled in the forest like an afterthought. At first, Adelei wasn’t sure they hadn’t simply stumbled upon some hunter’s cabin in the woods.

Two buildings came to view from astride her horse. Beyond them, three dozen more tangled through the torch-lit area. All surrounded an opening in the center which was unusually clear of trees. A man bearing a lantern walked through the clearing and nodded to them, then moved on his way with his bundle of wood. Ida led them toward the small inn tucked into the corner of town.

Only one of four stalls in the stable remained, and Adelei led Midnight and Ida’s mare into it. The horses would have little room to move about, but it was better than someone losing a hand or rib trying to ‘capture’ a wandering horse. Well stocked with feed and water, both women needed only to groom their mounts and remove the saddlebags before retiring themselves to the inn.

“The stable’s packed. Will they have room available for us?” Adelei asked as she untied the saddlebags.

Ida pulled a coin out of her pocket and tossed it to Adelei, who flipped it over in her palm. The silver coin bore the face of a serious looking man whom she assumed was her birth father. His crown bore hints of color smelted into the silver. “That coin will get us a room in any town, full or not,” said Ida.

Adelei frowned as she tossed it back. “I wouldn’t want to kick anyone out of their room. If there’s not one available, I’d be just as happy sleeping out here with Midnight. Done it before many a time.” While she meant it, after the day’s turmoil, she wanted a room. She’d even share one, so long as it was something softer and warmer than hay and a blanket.

Both women entered the inn and conversation paused as the occupants glanced up from drinks. Once the peek was given, talk and drink resumed inside the rather simple inn. The sun’s warmth was long gone, and a chill clung to the air. Adelei steered herself closer to the fireplace’s warmth as they approached both it and the innkeeper behind the bar.

The gray-haired bar matron cleaned a glass with the sleeve of a yellowed blouse bearing more stains than her full skirt. She flashed equally yellow teeth at Ida, her grin splitting her face into two reddened beets.

“Ida. Good ta see you makin’ the rounds agin. What’s it this time? Servin’ on the border?”

Ida grabbed the woman’s outstretched hand with a grip that spoke of the strength and joy of longtime friends. Still smiling, Ida slid a bar stool up to the bar. She wasn’t even seated before a mug was in her hands. She drank long of the brew before answering. “Nope. ’Twas visitin’ family. Headin’ back to the capital now.”

The barmaid rested her eyes on Adelei. The rugged voice matched the rugged exterior. “Are ya with Ida here? Somethin’ I can help you with?”

Ida rested her hand on Adelei’s sleeved arm. “The poor thing was out in the woods, lost and confused. Haven’t heard a word outta her yet, but I figure I’ll take her with me to the capital. See if maybe someone would have use for ’er. I figure she’s tired and all—whattcha have by way of a room for tonight, Mel?”

Adelei pulled her hood closer to her face and widened her eyes, feigning fear. Mel, who certainly looked man enough to bear a