Page 66 of Kingdom of Spirits
“I am trying to trust him, but the feeling wavers. The fact is, we don’t know what his motivation is for helping us.”
Once again, the familiar look of Trevain pushed at Tahlia like a memory she couldn’t quite grasp. “He can’t just be a nice ghost?”
“His civilization was ruined by ours. So no, I think he has an ulterior motive, and though I can’t blame him for that, I won’t trust much of what he says until I figure him out.”
Hurry, rider,Lija said.
“Should we move?” Tahlia asked Marius. She pushed her curiosity about Trevain away.
Marius gave a curt nod, and he climbed atop Ragewing in one seamless maneuver. She’d never tire of watching him do that.
They took to the sky with Fara in the saddle’s extra seat behind Tahlia. Tahlia had Fara untie her quiver from the rest of the gear. Reins in her teeth, Tahlia slipped the quiver onto her belt, then took her bow from Fara’s outstretched hand. She tucked the reins under an arm.
“Thanks!” she said to Fara over her shoulder.
“It’s what I’m here for!” Fara sounded like she was about to throw up despite the forced cheer in her tone.
Tahlia nocked an arrow and watched the ground for Katk.
“So that goddess was vague, wasn’t she?” Fara said. “You will know.” She wiggled her fingers.
“Yes, and what was all that about the Autumn Weaver? I like pumpkin cakes and bonfires as much as the next person, but I doubt that’s what the goddess was going on about.”
Fara shivered. “Probably something horrible you will have to fight.”
“More horrible than a plague giant?” Tahlia asked.
“I’m endlessly surprised at the terrors that pop into your life.”
“Glad I keep you on your toes.”
Fara closed her eyes and sighed like Tahlia had drained her of every ounce of patience.
Marius and Ragewing led them over a valley rutted with old roads and the chewed-up remains of villages and walled towns. A river passed through the valley and ran into a quarry that reflected the dragons’ shapes.
Katk’s lumbering form filled the horizon.
Tahlia had to set her jaw to keep from calling out a warning that no one needed.
“Really hoping that wisdom shows up any second now,” she said, more to herself than anyone else.
Fara squeezed Tahlia’s shoulder. “You can do this. I can’t. I will probably fall off Lija and perish. But you, you’ll be fine.”
“No perishing today, please.”
“I wish Trevain was here,” Fara said. “He knew things. He could have helped you here, I bet.”
Tahlia agreed. “I hope he is all right. He’s been wonderful, no matter what Marius says.”
“Is he still worried about Trevain’s motives?”
“Yes. The wholeruining Trevain’s civilization and killing everyone he knewthing,” Tahlia said.
Fara made a grumbling noise. “But that was ages ago. He didn’t seem to be harboring a grudge, helping us the way he did.”
“And that’s why Marius suspects him. He was too helpful too fast.”
“I’m starting to wonder if Marius is right,” Fara said. “Maybe we truly are better off without Trevain.”