Drake turned to Sachi. “Looks like you’re heading back to the manor. Take Brownie.”
She hissed through bared teeth. “I don’t need the bloody horse!”
“And yet I’m still giving you the order to go. But don’t go yet.” He looked to Karth. “I’ll order Valentia not to use her rarity on you and do one better. I also won’t use my rarity while I’m here, so long as no one attacks me, and I’ll travel with you to speak with your lord about this misunderstanding.” He couldn’t compel any of that, but Karth didn’t know that.
“Lord, no!” Valentia stormed up to this side. “I will take responsibility for this!”
He glanced her way. “I don’t think that’s a great idea.”
“You asked me to freely offer you advice, and I am offering it. This is not the time to be benevolent! You must return to the manor with the others!”
Valentia wanted him to put his own well-being above hers. Karth was giving him a free pass to get home with only the loss of a single battle maid, and he suspected most other manor lords would have taken that deal. Too bad for Valentia and everyone else that he wasn’t the type to let his people be tortured and executed.
She’d also revealed that she would pretend to be under his direct control even though she wasn’t. She believed allowing anyone else to know he’d neutered the blood pact would endanger them. So, as distasteful as it might be, he could use that.
“Valentia, I order you not to use your rarity to harm anyone loyal to Skybreak Manor unless they attempt to harm us first. Also, I forbid you to speak until we can speak in private.”
The visible betrayal that marred her features hurt, but then her expression once more snapped into neutrality. She could be pissed at him all she wanted so long as she was alive. He had, thanks to her choice to pretend to be compelled, boxed her into a corner.
She could still speak. She could still use her rarity. But she couldn’t do either without revealing that he’d removed his ability to compel her, and she didn’t seem willing to do that.
It was manipulative, but he couldn’t just say You have the right to remain silent. With each moment that passed Drake grew more certain this was a frame up, and he needed to find out who was fucking with him this time. Or so he would tell Valentia.
When she was done being so furious she wanted to freeze his balls off.
He looked to Karth. “I’ve just ordered my battle maid not to make you all popsicles as a gesture of good faith. Here’s what I want from you in return. Agree to escort me and those I designate to speak with Lord Skybreak. Offer us safe harbor and ensure me you won’t harm us. Finally, you won’t touch Valentia until I am satisfied she is guilty.”
Karth scowled. “Why should I agree to that? We already know she’s guilty.”
“Because that’s the only deal you’re going to get from me today.” Drake scowled right back. “You may be right that all of us will die if we all start shooting, but trust me, you’ll be the first to go. You’ll also be responsible for starting a war between our manors. So the only way you walk out of this alive is by agreeing to my terms. Consider your next words carefully.”
Karth ruefully shook his head. “You’re an odd one, Lord Gloomwood.”
“Thanks. You seem normal.”
“You must first assure me you will judge your battle maid guilty if we provide proof.”
Because if Karth didn’t ask that, Drake could just refuse to say Valentia was guilty and drag things out forever. “I will,” Drake said. “If you can actually prove her guilt to me, I will surrender her to you. But until you’ve satisfied me, no one lays a finger on Valentia.”
After a moment where Karth visibly weighed his options and probably searched Drake’s words for any tricks he might have tried to slide in there, he nodded. “I agree to your terms.”
“And I agree to yours. Look at this, Karth. We managed not to kill each other today.”
Karth offered an almost amused smile. “Who do you designate to come with you?”
Drake jerked a thumb behind him. “Other than Val, my servant and groom. My huntress is going to ride that horse back to our manor and tell them the great news.”
“Your terms are acceptable. I grant your huntress permission to travel through our lands and return to Gloomwood Manor. There, she will inform your thralls that you and Valentia came with us of your own free will. We did not attack you first.”
Sachi hissed at him from his other side. “You are making a mistake, lord.”
“Wouldn’t be my first.” He snapped his fingers and pointed at Brownie. “Off you go.”
With one more furious look he almost believed was real, Sachi loped over to the horse and hopped into the saddle. Then, more gently than her earlier movements had suggested, she urged the horse into a slow walk.
Ferals were fast enough over open ground they didn’t need to ride a horse. There was no reason for Sachi to ride Brownie out of here when she was faster on her own, but Drake had a good reason for putting her on one. One Karth hopefully wouldn’t suspect.
No doubt a Skybreak ranger was going to follow Sachi to ensure she went where she said she was going. He would likely see his huntress abandon Brownie at a small cave a while back with a little pool and plenty of grass. The ranger might think that was odd, but perhaps he’d assume Sachi was getting around a stupid order from her dumb lord.
And not assume Drake had asked Anna to make a recall point inside that cave before they encountered this patrol. He didn’t want to use it, but it was always good to have options.
Drake looked to Jeremy and Anna, the latter of whom still looked pale and unsteady on her feet. He wished it hadn’t been necessary for her to lose so much blood, but they’d all agreed his plan was a good one. Even so, none of them had expected to have to use it.
“Groom. Servant. Looks like we’re all taking a detour together.”
“Of course, lord,” Anna said quietly. She took her father’s hand. “Follow me, Daddy.”
He glanced at Valentia, who now looked as expressionless as he’d expect. “Valentia, follow me.” Finally, he looked at Karth. “Time for the escort you promised. My groom’s a bit slow on his feet... injury from his riding days... so I’d appreciate a slower pace than you’re comfortable with. If you allow that, will we still get to your manor before dark?”
“No, but we’ll get there before midnight.” Karth nodded. “If you’re going to be this disappointed, the least we can do is offer you a warm meal and a night in a warm bed.”
That did sound nice. All this other bullshit aside, it would be nice to get a hot meal and a warm bed after days on the road. If only he could enjoy that in his own manor.
And if only Valentia wouldn’t stop giving him a look that could freeze glass.
They traveled over more rocky mountain country until dark and then past it, but came in sight of Skybreak Manor some time after night fell. As Drake looked over a long stone wall with regularly-spaced windows, glowing torches, and a sprawling town, he was impressed.
Skybreak Manor wasn’t so much a manor as a small city, and its tall walls looked to have been built directly from the mountain rock. There were a number of structures inside in addition to the giant stone manor at the center. It looked far bigger than Heart Grove.
Moreover, there were whole stretches of open rock that looked to be filled with healthy crops of all sorts. A huge waterfall thundered into one side of the town within Skybreak Manor, creating a clear stream that flowed through the town and again down the mountain.
Finally, it was even colder up here, which made Drake glad for his heavy cloak. In the moonlight, a look at the surrounding mountains showed glistening snowcaps. That snow would provide a steady supply of fresh water to the waterfall and town, both for people and for crops.
Gloomwood Manor was nice inside and big on the outside, but all he had around his manor were giant ominous trees. He didn’t own a small city. If he ended up living through the year, he might talk to his people about expansion plans.
“First time seeing Skybreak Manor?” Karth asked conversationally. He was obviously proud of his manor/city, and Drake couldn’t blame him.
Karth was currently leading them down a narrow stone path that drastically sloped away on both sides. While the path itself was relatively level, the fact that it dropped off into a cloudy ravine wasn’t easy to ignore. It would be impossible to move a large group of soldiers down this path easily, especially if they were being shot at by really talented archers. Which all these folks looked to be.
Jeremy walked behind him, with Valentia ensuring he didn’t wander off the side. Anna, meanwhile, had firmly attached herself to Drake’s side the moment they stepped out onto the narrow rocky trail. It stretched on ahead a good ways, occasionally winding back and forth.
“Looks like a nice place,” Drake agreed.
Karth smiled proudly. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.” With his mission accomplished and his captives coming of their own accord, he seemed in a much better mood.
Drake saw no reason not to gather some additional intelligence. With his goal in sight, Karth seemed pliable, and he saw no reason not to remain on good terms with the man. “How long have you served the Lord Skybreak?”
“I’ve served this manor for nine years, lord. Our new lord is a great woman. I’m proud to serve her as well.”
“Your new lord is a woman?”
From behind him, he heard Valentia groan. Still, he’d only ordered her not to speak... supposedly. He hadn’t ordered her not to be vicariously embarrassed.
Karth chuckled and shook his head. “You didn’t know that?”
“I did not. Did I mention I’m new here?”
“You did. Any chance you’d share where you came from? Your manner of speech remains different from anyone I’ve ever encountered.”
“I’m from somewhere far from here. I don’t want to get any more specific.” He saw no benefit to admitting he was from Earth, and Karth wouldn’t know what it was anyway. “But despite being a woman, your lord is still known as lord?”
“That’s always been the way we’ve done it. Can’t say it makes much sense to me either, but you lot seem rather invested in your ways.”
“By you lot, you mean manor lords in the general sense?”
“That’s right. Lord Skybreak is the only one of you I’d willingly follow into battle. I hope that doesn’t offend your lordly ears.”
“Why would it? It’s not like Valentia would follow your lord anywhere.” He glanced back at her and grinned. “Right, Val?”
She simply glared at him in silence. Still icing him out. He couldn’t blame her.
He glanced back at Karth. “You say you follow Lord Skybreak willingly, but you’re still her blood thrall, right?”
“Aye, lord. One doesn’t serve a manor lord without first joining her blood pact, even if they are loyal. But surely you knew that as well. Are you just making conversation?”
“Let’s assume I am and leave it at that. I hate awkward silences.”
He had a lot of other questions for this man, but no reason to ask them. There was no reason to reveal just how ignorant he truly was about Skybreak Manor and its people. Valentia could likely explain anything he needed to know once they were alone.
“As I said, you’re odd, lord,” Karth said. “And to be clear, you won’t be speaking with Lord Skybreak tonight. She’s got a large docket at the moment. If you’re lucky, we can get you a meeting and show you proof tomorrow afternoon. That means you’ll need to agree to enter the accommodations we offer and not leave them until we summon you.”
“I’m sure we can come to some arrangement. And I understand Lord Skybreak being busy. I imagine things must be pretty chaotic without your steward around.” He couldn’t imagine how lost he’d be without Lydia.
“Aye, lord, that is the case. Rodney was a well-respected man adored by many in our manor. It’s a relief to know your battle maid acted without your approval. I’d hate to see war.”
“Valentia didn’t kill Rodney,” Drake said. “But I agree about not wanting a war.”
“I hope, after we’ve resolved this, you’ll set aside any grievance for the good of our alliance. Justice must be served, but we don’t need any more debt between our manors.”
Drake shrugged. “I wouldn’t worry about that. Once I prove Valentia’s innocence, you’ll all be too busy apologizing to me for us to go to war.”
Once they were inside the huge stone walls, Drake found that the town that sprawled out around Skybreak Manor, which was itself a fortress, didn’t look that different from Heart Grove. The buildings were stone instead of wood, and the roads were all stone as well. The people, however, looked about the same. Peasants were peasants everywhere.
And just the fact that he’d thought the word peasants meant his new role as a manor lord was already threatening to turn him into an insufferable prick.
Still, he was relieved when they weren’t immediately shown to the local jail. Karth instead marched them through town to a sturdy two-story house that nonetheless looked to have only one way in and out. Its windows were also barred from the outside.
Karth pointed. “Here’s where you’ll be staying tonight. We have a full kitchen for your servant to prepare meals, though you’ll find the larder a bit light. There’s a servant’s quarters on the ground floor and two rooms above each with beds that should meet your standards.”
So at least Valentia would have her own bed tonight. That might be one way to calm her down after being benevolent. There was also no way anyone was going to let her have a bath.
Drake evaluated the structure for weak points or easy ways to escape. Like the rest of the buildings he’d seen, it was mostly stone, though a lot of the second floor was wood and the roof looked to be the same clay tile he’d seen elsewhere.
He glanced at Karth. “The bars are an interesting feature. Do you always put bars on the windows of your guest houses?”
“Better to keep out assassins, lord. Wouldn’t want what happened to our steward happening to you.”
Drake looked back at the house. “This’ll do.”
“Then it’s on you, lord. I’ll have your assurance you won’t leave.”
Drake might never get used to how words, in this world, were as good as binding contracts. “Neither I nor my blood thralls will step outside these walls tonight without permission from Lord Skybreak or whoever she sends. That good enough?”
He’d said step, not teleport. With luck, that would be enough for Lord Skybreak’s thralls to make sense of things if he vanished from this house tomorrow. Or tonight.
Karth nodded. “Just so we understand each other, we’ll also have rangers watching the house the whole night. There’s no way you can dig out, and even if you did, you’d have a solid mountain to go through. Just make yourselves comfortable in there.”
“I just might do that. Have a good morning, Karth. Will I see you again?”
“Oh, I doubt it.” Karth shrugged. “But who knows? If you somehow do weasel out of your obligations, maybe I’ll be lucky enough to be the one to hunt you down.”
Drake glanced at Valentia, Jeremy, and Anna, the people he was still determined to protect. “Who’s up for a warm meal and a warm bed?”
Jeremy stared at nothing. Valentia stared at their new guest house. But Anna, thankfully, tentatively raised her hand. She even smiled as if to encourage him.
She was their way out of this if it went bad. She was also a reminder that risks often came with rewards. Negotiating a truce with Lord Skybreak was a risk...
But if he pulled it off, he might end up with a new strong ally.
Drake turned to Sachi. “Looks like you’re heading back to the manor. Take Brownie.”
She hissed through bared teeth. “I don’t need the bloody horse!”
“And yet I’m still giving you the order to go. But don’t go yet.” He looked to Karth. “I’ll order Valentia not to use her rarity on you and do one better. I also won’t use my rarity while I’m here, so long as no one attacks me, and I’ll travel with you to speak with your lord about this misunderstanding.” He couldn’t compel any of that, but Karth didn’t know that.
“Lord, no!” Valentia stormed up to this side. “I will take responsibility for this!”
He glanced her way. “I don’t think that’s a great idea.”
“You asked me to freely offer you advice, and I am offering it. This is not the time to be benevolent! You must return to the manor with the others!”
Valentia wanted him to put his own well-being above hers. Karth was giving him a free pass to get home with only the loss of a single battle maid, and he suspected most other manor lords would have taken that deal. Too bad for Valentia and everyone else that he wasn’t the type to let his people be tortured and executed.
She’d also revealed that she would pretend to be under his direct control even though she wasn’t. She believed allowing anyone else to know he’d neutered the blood pact would endanger them. So, as distasteful as it might be, he could use that.
“Valentia, I order you not to use your rarity to harm anyone loyal to Skybreak Manor unless they attempt to harm us first. Also, I forbid you to speak until we can speak in private.”
The visible betrayal that marred her features hurt, but then her expression once more snapped into neutrality. She could be pissed at him all she wanted so long as she was alive. He had, thanks to her choice to pretend to be compelled, boxed her into a corner.
She could still speak. She could still use her rarity. But she couldn’t do either without revealing that he’d removed his ability to compel her, and she didn’t seem willing to do that.
It was manipulative, but he couldn’t just say You have the right to remain silent. With each moment that passed Drake grew more certain this was a frame up, and he needed to find out who was fucking with him this time. Or so he would tell Valentia.
When she was done being so furious she wanted to freeze his balls off.
He looked to Karth. “I’ve just ordered my battle maid not to make you all popsicles as a gesture of good faith. Here’s what I want from you in return. Agree to escort me and those I designate to speak with Lord Skybreak. Offer us safe harbor and ensure me you won’t harm us. Finally, you won’t touch Valentia until I am satisfied she is guilty.”
Karth scowled. “Why should I agree to that? We already know she’s guilty.”
“Because that’s the only deal you’re going to get from me today.” Drake scowled right back. “You may be right that all of us will die if we all start shooting, but trust me, you’ll be the first to go. You’ll also be responsible for starting a war between our manors. So the only way you walk out of this alive is by agreeing to my terms. Consider your next words carefully.”
Karth ruefully shook his head. “You’re an odd one, Lord Gloomwood.”
“Thanks. You seem normal.”
“You must first assure me you will judge your battle maid guilty if we provide proof.”
Because if Karth didn’t ask that, Drake could just refuse to say Valentia was guilty and drag things out forever. “I will,” Drake said. “If you can actually prove her guilt to me, I will surrender her to you. But until you’ve satisfied me, no one lays a finger on Valentia.”
After a moment where Karth visibly weighed his options and probably searched Drake’s words for any tricks he might have tried to slide in there, he nodded. “I agree to your terms.”
“And I agree to yours. Look at this, Karth. We managed not to kill each other today.”
Karth offered an almost amused smile. “Who do you designate to come with you?”
Drake jerked a thumb behind him. “Other than Val, my servant and groom. My huntress is going to ride that horse back to our manor and tell them the great news.”
“Your terms are acceptable. I grant your huntress permission to travel through our lands and return to Gloomwood Manor. There, she will inform your thralls that you and Valentia came with us of your own free will. We did not attack you first.”
Sachi hissed at him from his other side. “You are making a mistake, lord.”
“Wouldn’t be my first.” He snapped his fingers and pointed at Brownie. “Off you go.”
With one more furious look he almost believed was real, Sachi loped over to the horse and hopped into the saddle. Then, more gently than her earlier movements had suggested, she urged the horse into a slow walk.
Ferals were fast enough over open ground they didn’t need to ride a horse. There was no reason for Sachi to ride Brownie out of here when she was faster on her own, but Drake had a good reason for putting her on one. One Karth hopefully wouldn’t suspect.
No doubt a Skybreak ranger was going to follow Sachi to ensure she went where she said she was going. He would likely see his huntress abandon Brownie at a small cave a while back with a little pool and plenty of grass. The ranger might think that was odd, but perhaps he’d assume Sachi was getting around a stupid order from her dumb lord.
And not assume Drake had asked Anna to make a recall point inside that cave before they encountered this patrol. He didn’t want to use it, but it was always good to have options.
Drake looked to Jeremy and Anna, the latter of whom still looked pale and unsteady on her feet. He wished it hadn’t been necessary for her to lose so much blood, but they’d all agreed his plan was a good one. Even so, none of them had expected to have to use it.
“Groom. Servant. Looks like we’re all taking a detour together.”
“Of course, lord,” Anna said quietly. She took her father’s hand. “Follow me, Daddy.”
He glanced at Valentia, who now looked as expressionless as he’d expect. “Valentia, follow me.” Finally, he looked at Karth. “Time for the escort you promised. My groom’s a bit slow on his feet... injury from his riding days... so I’d appreciate a slower pace than you’re comfortable with. If you allow that, will we still get to your manor before dark?”
“No, but we’ll get there before midnight.” Karth nodded. “If you’re going to be this disappointed, the least we can do is offer you a warm meal and a night in a warm bed.”
That did sound nice. All this other bullshit aside, it would be nice to get a hot meal and a warm bed after days on the road. If only he could enjoy that in his own manor.
And if only Valentia wouldn’t stop giving him a look that could freeze glass.
They traveled over more rocky mountain country until dark and then past it, but came in sight of Skybreak Manor some time after night fell. As Drake looked over a long stone wall with regularly-spaced windows, glowing torches, and a sprawling town, he was impressed.
Skybreak Manor wasn’t so much a manor as a small city, and its tall walls looked to have been built directly from the mountain rock. There were a number of structures inside in addition to the giant stone manor at the center. It looked far bigger than Heart Grove.
Moreover, there were whole stretches of open rock that looked to be filled with healthy crops of all sorts. A huge waterfall thundered into one side of the town within Skybreak Manor, creating a clear stream that flowed through the town and again down the mountain.
Finally, it was even colder up here, which made Drake glad for his heavy cloak. In the moonlight, a look at the surrounding mountains showed glistening snowcaps. That snow would provide a steady supply of fresh water to the waterfall and town, both for people and for crops.
Gloomwood Manor was nice inside and big on the outside, but all he had around his manor were giant ominous trees. He didn’t own a small city. If he ended up living through the year, he might talk to his people about expansion plans.
“First time seeing Skybreak Manor?” Karth asked conversationally. He was obviously proud of his manor/city, and Drake couldn’t blame him.
Karth was currently leading them down a narrow stone path that drastically sloped away on both sides. While the path itself was relatively level, the fact that it dropped off into a cloudy ravine wasn’t easy to ignore. It would be impossible to move a large group of soldiers down this path easily, especially if they were being shot at by really talented archers. Which all these folks looked to be.
Jeremy walked behind him, with Valentia ensuring he didn’t wander off the side. Anna, meanwhile, had firmly attached herself to Drake’s side the moment they stepped out onto the narrow rocky trail. It stretched on ahead a good ways, occasionally winding back and forth.
“Looks like a nice place,” Drake agreed.
Karth smiled proudly. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.” With his mission accomplished and his captives coming of their own accord, he seemed in a much better mood.
Drake saw no reason not to gather some additional intelligence. With his goal in sight, Karth seemed pliable, and he saw no reason not to remain on good terms with the man. “How long have you served the Lord Skybreak?”
“I’ve served this manor for nine years, lord. Our new lord is a great woman. I’m proud to serve her as well.”
“Your new lord is a woman?”
From behind him, he heard Valentia groan. Still, he’d only ordered her not to speak... supposedly. He hadn’t ordered her not to be vicariously embarrassed.
Karth chuckled and shook his head. “You didn’t know that?”
“I did not. Did I mention I’m new here?”
“You did. Any chance you’d share where you came from? Your manner of speech remains different from anyone I’ve ever encountered.”
“I’m from somewhere far from here. I don’t want to get any more specific.” He saw no benefit to admitting he was from Earth, and Karth wouldn’t know what it was anyway. “But despite being a woman, your lord is still known as lord?”
“That’s always been the way we’ve done it. Can’t say it makes much sense to me either, but you lot seem rather invested in your ways.”
“By you lot, you mean manor lords in the general sense?”
“That’s right. Lord Skybreak is the only one of you I’d willingly follow into battle. I hope that doesn’t offend your lordly ears.”
“Why would it? It’s not like Valentia would follow your lord anywhere.” He glanced back at her and grinned. “Right, Val?”
She simply glared at him in silence. Still icing him out. He couldn’t blame her.
He glanced back at Karth. “You say you follow Lord Skybreak willingly, but you’re still her blood thrall, right?”
“Aye, lord. One doesn’t serve a manor lord without first joining her blood pact, even if they are loyal. But surely you knew that as well. Are you just making conversation?”
“Let’s assume I am and leave it at that. I hate awkward silences.”
He had a lot of other questions for this man, but no reason to ask them. There was no reason to reveal just how ignorant he truly was about Skybreak Manor and its people. Valentia could likely explain anything he needed to know once they were alone.
“As I said, you’re odd, lord,” Karth said. “And to be clear, you won’t be speaking with Lord Skybreak tonight. She’s got a large docket at the moment. If you’re lucky, we can get you a meeting and show you proof tomorrow afternoon. That means you’ll need to agree to enter the accommodations we offer and not leave them until we summon you.”
“I’m sure we can come to some arrangement. And I understand Lord Skybreak being busy. I imagine things must be pretty chaotic without your steward around.” He couldn’t imagine how lost he’d be without Lydia.
“Aye, lord, that is the case. Rodney was a well-respected man adored by many in our manor. It’s a relief to know your battle maid acted without your approval. I’d hate to see war.”
“Valentia didn’t kill Rodney,” Drake said. “But I agree about not wanting a war.”
“I hope, after we’ve resolved this, you’ll set aside any grievance for the good of our alliance. Justice must be served, but we don’t need any more debt between our manors.”
Drake shrugged. “I wouldn’t worry about that. Once I prove Valentia’s innocence, you’ll all be too busy apologizing to me for us to go to war.”
Once they were inside the huge stone walls, Drake found that the town that sprawled out around Skybreak Manor, which was itself a fortress, didn’t look that different from Heart Grove. The buildings were stone instead of wood, and the roads were all stone as well. The people, however, looked about the same. Peasants were peasants everywhere.
And just the fact that he’d thought the word peasants meant his new role as a manor lord was already threatening to turn him into an insufferable prick.
Still, he was relieved when they weren’t immediately shown to the local jail. Karth instead marched them through town to a sturdy two-story house that nonetheless looked to have only one way in and out. Its windows were also barred from the outside.
Karth pointed. “Here’s where you’ll be staying tonight. We have a full kitchen for your servant to prepare meals, though you’ll find the larder a bit light. There’s a servant’s quarters on the ground floor and two rooms above each with beds that should meet your standards.”
So at least Valentia would have her own bed tonight. That might be one way to calm her down after being benevolent. There was also no way anyone was going to let her have a bath.
Drake evaluated the structure for weak points or easy ways to escape. Like the rest of the buildings he’d seen, it was mostly stone, though a lot of the second floor was wood and the roof looked to be the same clay tile he’d seen elsewhere.
He glanced at Karth. “The bars are an interesting feature. Do you always put bars on the windows of your guest houses?”
“Better to keep out assassins, lord. Wouldn’t want what happened to our steward happening to you.”
Drake looked back at the house. “This’ll do.”
“Then it’s on you, lord. I’ll have your assurance you won’t leave.”
Drake might never get used to how words, in this world, were as good as binding contracts. “Neither I nor my blood thralls will step outside these walls tonight without permission from Lord Skybreak or whoever she sends. That good enough?”
He’d said step, not teleport. With luck, that would be enough for Lord Skybreak’s thralls to make sense of things if he vanished from this house tomorrow. Or tonight.
Karth nodded. “Just so we understand each other, we’ll also have rangers watching the house the whole night. There’s no way you can dig out, and even if you did, you’d have a solid mountain to go through. Just make yourselves comfortable in there.”
“I just might do that. Have a good morning, Karth. Will I see you again?”
“Oh, I doubt it.” Karth shrugged. “But who knows? If you somehow do weasel out of your obligations, maybe I’ll be lucky enough to be the one to hunt you down.”
Drake glanced at Valentia, Jeremy, and Anna, the people he was still determined to protect. “Who’s up for a warm meal and a warm bed?”
Jeremy stared at nothing. Valentia stared at their new guest house. But Anna, thankfully, tentatively raised her hand. She even smiled as if to encourage him.
She was their way out of this if it went bad. She was also a reminder that risks often came with rewards. Negotiating a truce with Lord Skybreak was a risk...
But if he pulled it off, he might end up with a new strong ally.
