Page 20 of Lake of Sorrow
“I don’t think he implied that, but it would be a way to demonstrate your ability.”
“It might lead to flogging.”
“Oh, most assuredly, but some punishments are worth receiving.”
“Maybe you should crack him on the head.”
“Maybe so. I’d like to let you sleep more, but it will be easier to get you out of the city without being seen if we leave before dawn.” Vlerion opened his palm and raised his eyebrows. “Are you willing to go look for sign of the Kar’ruk now?”
Though Kaylina was weary and doubted she’d slept more than twenty minutes, she didn’t feel she could say no. “Yes, but I might leave Frayvar here and ask him to poke around and try to figure out who’s behind that newspaper. Your people don’t know, right?”
Her gaze drifted to the story open on the desk, the promise that someone was trying to blame the beast—blame Vlerion—for murders.
“We do not,” Vlerion said. “I agree that it would be better not to take the boy into what might turn into a battle.”
“But you’re okay taking me?”
“You have proven yourself.”
Kaylina didn’t think hitting a couple of guards using her sling counted as proving oneself, but the pleased smile Vlerion gave her filled her with warmth, maybe even pride. Even though her family was supportive in their own overly critical way, she couldn’t remember many people ever telling her that she had worth. She liked it. A part of her even appreciated that Targon believed she had value, even if it was only because he wanted to use her.
Vlerion stepped forward, giving her a one-armed hug and resting his face against her hair. “One day, I would like to take a ride in the woods alone with you, but I’d best do as Targon suggests and round up a couple more rangers.”
Her heart ached because she would also enjoy a private ride in the woods with him. She kept herself from leaning into him and made her tone light as she asked, “To help against the Kar’ruk or to be chaperones for us?”
Vlerion sighed. “Both.”
6
The beauty of the flower, so oft protected by thorns.
~ Dainbridge III, the playwright
Kaylina kept smiling under her hood as she stroked the fur on Levitke’s back, delighted to ride the spunky female taybarri again. She refused to think it was a result of Targon’s bribe. When she and Vlerion had walked out of the barracks, Levitke and Crenoch had been waiting at the door, certain they would be needed tonight.
“Thank you for taking me to Stillguard Castle first, Vlerion.”
Kaylina had requested that they stop by on the way out of the city. She’d almost gone earlier, but she hadn’t wanted to delay getting the information about the newspapers and the Kar’ruk to the rangers. The desire to see the tower and the glowing plant hadn’t been far from her mind, though, not since its strange magical light had shifted from red to purple.
Vlerion also had his hood up as they rode side by side over the bridge not far downriver from the castle, so she couldn’t tell if he nodded. When he said, “There’s something there you should see,” he sounded grim.
That concerned her. Did it mean he would have taken her to the castle on the way whether she’d requested it or not?
“There hasn’t been another fire, has there?”
“No.” Vlerion glanced back.
Another taybarri with a rider was trotting to catch up with them. As they moved from the bridge to the river trail, the new arrival urged his mount to come alongside theirs.
“When Targon knocked on my door and told me to get ready and join you on a quest,” Jankarr said, his hood back, “he didn’t suggest you wouldn’t wait for me.”
“Odd,” Vlerion replied.
“All these adventures you’re going on without me, Vlerion. If I weren’t self-assured and secure in my worth, I’d think you didn’t want me around.”
“You are always welcome to come along and watch my back.”
“And an honor that is.” Jankarr might have winked. The streetlamps only burned alongside the main roads, not the trail, so Kaylina couldn’t tell. He looked toward her and bowed. “It’s good to see you, person riding anonymously with Vlerion. I trust he’s offered to let you watch some of his body parts, as well?”