Page 43 of Reborn

“Perhaps,” Rolan paused. “But he is lost to the world, now.”

“He’s not dead, and he’s not lost unless I give up my search.”

“Venturing into the mountains is a fool’s errand. You are more likely to get yourself killed in the search than to find him up there.”

Valerian shook his head. “I’m afraid we don’t have a choice.”

“You truly believe he can help you?” asked Rolan.

“The witch’s spell is failing, but in that failure she’s growing more desperate, and more dangerous. If we are going to remove her from her throne, we are going to need help. She believes Radulf Wolfsbane is the help that we need, so I’ll help her find him.”

Rolan stared at Valerian, his expression grave and stern. “You are going to get yourself killed, Valerian.”

Valerian looked over at me, a softness in his eyes I hadn’t seen until now. “Maybe,” he said, turning again to Rolan. “Maybe not. But I can’t sit idly by while this woman consumes all of the Winter Kingdom. You cannot be happy living like this.”

“What is one ruler compared to another?” Rolan asked. “The little folk may be better or worse off, getting into and out of Windhelm is more difficult these days, and perhaps there is an air of oppression about the land. But such is the way of life when we live under at whims of royals. To us and our hunters, the current Queen’s reign has made no difference.”

“But she’s not the Queen,” I said, standing bolt upright. “She’snot. She stole something that wasn’t hers, and if we don’t stop her before she gains any more power, who knows what she’ll do with her throne? Maybe you aren’t suffering now, but you will suffer if she wins this battle.”

“And you know that for sure, Princess? You are certain her rule will be worse than that of your parents, or your grandparents? The great Bear of Windhelm… the one who would’ve burned the entire Kingdom if it brought his firstborn son back from the dead?”

“My grandfather was hurting.”

“And in his torment he committed atrocities for which we all suffered. Your mother and father’s rule had been quiet, yes, but our people were only slightly better or worse off with them on the throne. The same can be said for Malys.”

“So, you’re happy for her to just stay there? Is that it?”

Rolan sighed. “This is personal for you, I understand. But try to understand my position for a moment.”

“I understand it just fine. You could care less who’s on the throne so long as your operation doesn’t get interfered with.”

“If you were in my position, you would want the same. I cannot help you.”

“I didn’t ask for your help,” Valerian said. “But you’re wrong.”

Rolan frowned. “Wrong?”

“I am one of your people, Rolan. I am a hunter, a member of your guild, and I was also ripped from the minds of the people of my kingdom. Allowing Malys to continue her rule and cast out the royals forever means casting me out as well.”

“Valerian…”

Valerian stood. “You have made yourself perfectly clear. I thank you for your hospitality and for the information you have given us. We’ll take our leave, now. Amara, Gullie?”

Gullie fluttered off the table and leapt back onto my shoulder, her small wings pulling her body through the air like a little green bullet.

“I want to help you,” Rolan said, almost scrambling to stand. “I do. But you have to consider what that means for me, for the guild. We are hunters, not soldiers.”

“I did not come here asking for you to give me an army. I only wanted information that I could use to track down her brother. We will fight Malys and her loyalists ourselves while you sit here in your guild hall andcower.”

Rolan squared up to Valerian, shoving a stool out of his way so that he could reach him. “Take that back.”

“I won’t. First you try to dissuade me from going after Radulf Wolfsbane, then you insult this woman and her family without cause before telling me you won’t offer aid I have not asked for. You are not the Fae I remembered.”

“Valerian, I’m warning you. Take those words back. Please, sit down and let us talk this through. Let me help you see sense.”

“Something’s not right,” Gullie whispered.

I backed up a step, knowing I would be heard if I spoke. I instead tilted my head rapidly, to let Gullie know that I had heard her.