When they crested a hill, they overlooked a small lake town. One road led in between two rows of colorful homes and businesses. There might have been fifty structures. Some of the buildings were light blue, or yellow, others, various shades of pink. She found it a little odd, having never seen the style of bright colors like this before, but it was unique. At the edge of town, a white lighthouse stood on the sandy beach of the lake. A few white sailboats were docked, and a sign at the bottom of the hill read: Braxentown.
“This is a cute little place,” Layala said.
“Don’t let it fool you.”
“What does that mean?”
Fennan rode up beside them, one hand on the reins, the other still held up by a sling. “Let’s just say the quaintness is a cover for what really goes on.”
Layala raised her eyebrows. “I’m intrigued.”
“Any gambling?” Aunt Evalyn asked.
“It’s a bad habit, Aunty,” Layala teased.
“Plenty of gambling.” Thane pointed out over the water. “It’s the narrowest part of the lake. If you look far enough, you can see the human lands of Vessache on the other side. Trade happens with them here. And since this is a trading town, there are lots of human men, as well as other creatures.”
Layala noted the many docked sailboats. “I’m surprised your father allows it since he hates humans.”
“He doesn’t allow it,” Thane answered. “He just ignores it because he’s busy with his obsession for more power.”
“Another reason why you make an infinitely better king than he does,” Layala said and patted his thigh.
Thane smiled and then swung his leg over Phantom’s back and hit the ground. “We need to change out of our armor. Since Ravens are wanted criminals now.”
Clinking metal and murmured talk among the group was quiet enough but Layala still kept watch from the back of Phantom. He grazed on the tall amber wheat, tail swishing at flies and ears twitching. She watched the forest behind them and the open fields as if the enemy might show up at any moment. The other group split off from them hours ago, hoping to draw Tenebris away from Thane and Layala.
“Where is everyone in Briar Hollow now? I heard it was burned down.” She paused, thinking of all the memories from that place. “Does that mean our home is gone?”
Aunt Evalyn shifted in her saddle. “It’s gone, Layala. All of it.” Her voice sounded thick and hoarse. “But we’re rebuilding with the help of neighboring towns. Svenarum’s royal investigators showed up, too. They don’t dare start a fight with Tenebris. I think it’s more fear of the pale ones than anything, but they gave us some supplies to rebuild.”
Layala chewed on her bottom lip. She couldn’t believe her childhood home was gone. “And the boys? And the new puppy?”
“The boys are fine, taking care of Dregous for me. He’s gotten big already and sheds that white fur like crazy. I left a note and tied him to Ren’s doorstep and snuck off in the night. Fortunately, Ren’s and Forrest’s homes didn’t burn. It was the town square and our house that took the brunt of the damage. Some wheat fields as well.”
“When things—go back to normal, I want them to come to see me at the castle. They’d love all the food and the pretty maidens.”
Aunt Evalyn scoffed. “As if they’d be welcome there unless it was for slave labor.”
“Any friend of Layala’s will be welcome there when I am king, no labor required,” Thane said, retying his wavy dark hair back. “It won’t be like when you lived in the valley.”
“You’d welcome humans as guests?” Aunt Evalyn sounded skeptical.
“Yes. And when there are no more pale ones, I expect many things to change.”
“You believe that’s a possibility?”
“I have to believe that.”
When they started off again down the slope to the town below, the Ravens simply looked like a group of travelers in cloaks and various colored tunics and leathers.
Layala turned to Fennan, who rode a few paces behind them. His eyes were up, and alert. They shaved off his once-beautiful black curls, leaving his hair only a few inches from his scalp. He had some bruising around his mouth and on his right temple, but he didn’t look as bad as Piper. It was her still-swollen eye, black, blue and yellowing against her light, freckled skin that looked incredibly painful. She sat behind Fennan, arms around his waist. Her unmarred cheek rested against his back, both eyes closed.
“What happened to your arm?” Layala asked.
He nudged his brown horse’s sides and caught up beside them. “One of the prison guards broke a bone in my forearm. He swung at me with a staff, and I threw up my arm to block my face.” His cinnamon eyes flicked down for a moment. “You know, it was shocking how quickly they turned on us. As if they never knew us at all. They’ve known Piper and me for years, and it meant nothing.”
“They’re scared,” Piper murmured and slowly lifted her cheek away from Fennan’s back. “You know Tenebris threatens any disloyalty with the execution of their families. Remember Devane and what happened to his wife and sisters?”
“How could I forget?” Fennan said.
Layala peeked back at Thane to see his face. His blank expression gave nothing away. The far-off look in his eyes as he stared ahead, seemingly oblivious that Layala watched him made her wonder. What was he thinking and feeling at this moment? He’d had so much regret when he thought he’d sent his father in to be eaten by the pale ones. Would he kill him if given the chance a second time? Perhaps he couldn’t and that was the real reason they wouldn’t go after him and Mathekis now. “What happened to Devane?”
Piper cleared her throat. “He was a castle guard who worked closely with the king. Devane came to me one night, frantic. He said for three days he heard strange voices in the king’s chambers. Whispers about the Black Mage and dark magic. He was terrified that Tenebris had seen him spying. I told him to go to Thane but before he could, he was dragged to the prison below the castle. His wife was hanged as were his two sisters the next morning, while he was forced to watch, and then he followed them. King Tenebris told the people in the square that they’d been traitors, feeding Calladira confidential information that would leave us exposed to an attack.”
“When was this?” Layala asked.
“About a year ago,” Piper answered.
Fennan ran his palm over his short black hair. “There have been others before and since. He sets an example every so often. Obey or die.”
“But you didn’t rule by fear. Why does he feel he must?”
Thane blinked a few times as if coming out of a daze. “Because my father is not a dangerous elf so he thinks that is what he must do. And no, I didn’t rule by fear but that doesn’t mean they weren’t afraid.”
“Did you threaten them?” What were those first weeks of his rule like? Did everyone immediately fall in line with their new king? During the games and festival, the people showed nothing but admiration for him.
“I never had to. They all know what I am capable of.”
A small smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. “Your place was earned on the battlefield among them. There are not many rulers who will go out and fight for the cause. They follow you out of respect, not fear.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheek lightly. “I suppose so.”
“I think you underestimate how many will back you when you publicly kill your father and take his place. Who would stop you? Who could even if it’s against your laws?”
Thane sighed. “They couldn’t stop me, but I don’t want to have to kill any of my father’s loyalists, forcing me to become like him. And I truly don’t want to be the first elf king to murder his own father to take his place on the throne.”
“But that is not what you’re doing,” Fennan interrupted. “It’s not for the throne. We’re stopping him from destroying Palenor.”
“But will the people see it that way?” He paused for a moment. “Will my mother?”
They came up to the entrance to the main street of Braxentown. Several hitching posts and a red-painted, twenty-stall stable awaited them. The roof was made of thatched straw and the doors, sliding wood. Half the stalls were already full, and a few horses were attached to the posts. A man shoveled horse manure into a barrel, and another came off a stool. He wore a wide-brimmed dirty black hat and chewed on a piece of wheat. “What can I do for ye?” From his rounded ears, pot belly and rough voice, he was most definitely human.
“We’ll need to keep our horses here for a night,” Thane said.
His eyes glided along the group. “There are six horses. It will cost ye.”
“We have the money.” Thane reached back, Tif handed him a brown leather pouch before he could ask. Thane gave it a little shake, jiggling the coins around and then opened it. “I think a solid silver coin should do.”
“That’s more than generous, sir…?”
“Sir, is fine,” Thane responded. He pressed two silver coins into his palms. “One is for your service. The other is for your silence.”
The man’s dark eyebrows shot up. “Anyone asks about ye, I’m a mute.”
“Good man,” Thane said with his charming grin. “I’ll give you another upon return if you make sure none of our belongings are touched.”
“Sure as the sun will rise, sir.” He tipped his head and took hold of Phantom’s reins.
Layala carefully slid off the horse and dropped to the ground. She lifted the flap to the bag and waited for Tif to come out. She didn’t move until Layala said, “Tif, come on. We’re going.”
“I’ll stay.”
“No, you won’t. It might not be safe here.”
“Ugh, fine.” She stood up and held out her arms like a small child would. Layala grabbed Tif around her little body and when she set her on the ground the gnome squealed and stamped her foot. “Have you lost your mind? I can’t very well walk this busy street. I’d be stepped on and squished like a grape.” She set her large puppy dog eyes on Thane and her smile turned into a pout.
Looking between the two of them, Layala asked, “Has Thane been carrying you around?”
He stooped down and grabbed her by the back of her dress and slid her into the hood of his cloak. “Unfortunately, I’ve become a pack mule for the wretched creature.”
Her mouth hung open as her stubby fingers wrapped around the hem of the hood and she peeked out. “Wretched?” She glared at the back of his head. “He complains but I’ve grown on him. I know that because he saved me from being eaten by a fox not long ago and he could have let it chomp me right up. I mean, I was this close to being a goner.” She held her pointer finger and thumb a sliver apart. “I’d have made a fine meal for that fox too.” She patted her cheeks. “A little chub adds good flavor.”
“I should have let it eat you,” Thane said and winked at Layala.
Tif folded her arms and sunk into the fabric. “I won’t say another word until I get an apology.”
“Excellent.”
“He’s not the only one that’s had to carry her around,” Leif said. “The little thing acts like her legs are broken.”
Her cheeks grew redder, and her eyes looked like they might pop out of her head if she didn’t speak. “Ok fine one more thing: I got little legs, not broken legs, that means small strides. It’s only obvious I couldn’t keep up with jumbos.”
“She’s got a point,” Aunt Evalyn said. “I like her.”
“I knew you were my second favorite,” Tif said, grinning and bobbing her stubby finger at Aunt Evalyn. “Layala will always be my number one. I’m her lady’s maid, you know.”
Aunt Evalyn smiled further, wrinkling the skin around her eyes and mouth. “You told me that at least three times over the last few days.”
Tif tapped her finger against her lips and looked up to the clouds as if the memory might be there. “Did I?”
“And she’s the best lady’s maid too,” Layala said.
“That’s debatable,” Thane murmured as Fennan and Piper approached. She wore a wide-brimmed black hat… was it the same one the horse hand wore? It must be and it hid her bruised face well.
“We’re going to find a healer,” Fennan said. “We’ll meet you at Kail’s place later.”
Aunt Evalyn grabbed her bag off her horse saddle. “I’m going with them,” Aunt Evalyn blurted. “My backside has never hurt so much. If I never ride a horse again, I’ll be happy. And I set Fennan’s arm, but I want to make sure they use the correct medicines on it. Piper’s ribs are fractured as well. Afraid I’m out of the pain relief bottle Adley gave us.”
Aunt Evalyn was always one to jump in and help but Layala had a feeling it had more to do with not wanting to be around Thane and Layala together. She couldn’t be upset with her; it took time for Layala herself to appreciate Thane. There was always the chance she simply wanted to sneak off and gamble too, maybe a bit of both.
“I’ll reserve rooms for you then,” Thane said. “By the looks of things Kail’s inn will be full soon.”
Aunt Evalyn, Fennan, and Piper started down the dirt road, until it changed to cobblestone a few yards in. With a frown, she watched Aunt Evalyn waddle like she was in pain. Could it be more than from riding? Even if Aunt Evalyn was always strong, this type of journey would be hard on any human.
“Do you think she’ll be alright?” Layala asked Thane.
He watched her for a moment. “I think the last few weeks have taken more of a toll on her than she’ll admit.”
“She never was one for travel. She prefers staying inside and sending me to scavenge for plants for her for the last five years or so.” Layala tugged her fingers through her tangled black tresses. “Has she been rude to you?”
He lifted a shoulder and then grew a slow smile. “Nothing compared to you, my dear. But I suspect it will take time for her to accept me as not an ‘evil, maiden-sacrificing villain’, and even longer for her to accept us.”
“Well, whether she accepts us or not, I’m so thankful you brought her. I truly missed her.”
With a nod, Thane grunted and folded his arms.
“What was that for?”
“Piper and Fennan. Notice anything?”
The two of them stood close together, hands brushing. Then Fennan slid his arm around her shoulder, pulling her to his side. Hmm what’s going on there? Maybe when they were stuck in prison together, something changed. Even if it wasn’t romantic, at least they had a bond. “You don’t like them close?” She couldn’t imagine why.
“It’s not that,” he said and picked at the callus on his hand. Pieces of his dark-brown hair that almost looked black in this lighting fell over his face while he looked down. She had the urge to reach over and swipe it behind his ear.
“Looks like the three of us are with you then,” Gunner interrupted, and put a hand on his hip. He puffed a breath to blow a brown curl off his forehead.
“No fighting.” Thane gave him and Leif pointed looks. “I don’t worry about Siegfried but you two…” Layala knew Leif was mischievous, but Gunner had always seemed mild-mannered, and she didn’t know Siegfried well. She’d seen him around in Doonafell, but he didn’t say much.
Leif put one hand over his heart like he was offended. “Me, get into a fight? Why, it’s unheard of.”
“Uh huh,” Thane mumbled. “You start it,” he moved his pointer finger to Gunner, “and he finishes it.”
“Siegfried finishes it usually,” Leif added and shoved him on the shoulder. “It’s always the quiet ones that are scary.” Siegfried rolled his eyes.
Hand in hand, Layala and Thane started down the cobblestone street. Down the center of the roadway, vendors inside canopies and tents offered goods and services. Cooking meats sizzled over fire pits, fish dangled from hooks, and large bunches of spices and plants stung her nostrils. Layala spotted the franzen leaf for healing, and a long string of fluffy green gaudrey’s root. The poison she once thought of using on Thane could be for people or pests.
“Pottifer,” Layala murmured, eyeing the bright-orange leaves in jars, used for enhanced speed. It was one of Aunt Evalyn’s favorites to collect, although the downside of eating them was extreme tiredness later on.
As they moved farther down it was so crowded that Layala slid behind Thane to keep people from ramming into her shoulders. He was a tall, powerful-looking male and everyone moved for him. Leif kept a close few steps behind, watching her back like his own. They strolled by a tawny tent filled with bouquets of orange poppy flowers, bundles of bright tulips in glass vases and lovely bright-pink peonies tied with string.
“Pretty flowers for the pretty lady?” an old woman crooned in a crackly voice, holding out a bunch of closed midnight lilies. She stepped right in between Layala and Thane, bringing Layala to a jarring halt. “I think these suit you.”
Leif put a hand on Layala’s shoulder, letting her know he was there. “Keep going,” he said.
But Layala stared at the bundle in her hand. Black lilies. She swallowed hard and searched the old woman’s face. Her gray and silver hair was a mass of halo curls around her head. Her milky, crepey skin almost ashen. Cloudy-blue eyes seemed to stare right through her, and a missing front tooth made her speak with a slight impediment. “The lilies will bloom in the dark, just like you.”
Bloom in the dark? Thane moved in like a shadow, half stepping in front of Layala. “We don’t want your flowers, witch.”
“Mmm, why if it isn’t the Prince of War. You are as delicious as ever.” She cackled. Lowering the lilies, those cloudy eyes trailed over him then she shifted her attention to Layala. “I guess what the spirits say is true. I began to wonder. It’s been an age since I’ve seen the likes of you.”
Layala’s brow pulled tighter. “What are you talking about?”
Thane grabbed her hand, pulling her attention from the woman. The fierceness in his gaze surprised her. “Let’s go,” he demanded. The trepidation in his expression made her quickly agree. Did this woman work for Tenebris? Perhaps it was best they didn’t let her go. But when she glanced back the woman had vanished.
