Page 72 of Feathers and Thorns

She couldn’t be sure, but she swore she felt a warm breeze wrap around her, protecting her from the cold spray of the ocean as the ship bobbed along the waves. In her heart, she knew that he could hear her.

* * *

It took three days for the whole fleet to land in Irefeld. As grueling as the trip had been, Soren was thankful for it. Turned out that Rook was also not fond of the water, so him and Baz formed a sort of unspoken kinship while they continuously hurled over the side of the boat. Mutual seasickness seemed to spark a comradery between them, and even Enara had shown a sliver of sympathy for Rook by the end of the second day.

Erick welcomed them all with open arms as they sauntered down the wooden plank and onto dry land. Everett blushed as Erick winked at him before turning to lead them away from the bustle of the trading docks.

Stelonbriar’s shipping arrangements with the rest of the provinces kept them busy year-round. In-season produce, and freshly butchered and preserved meat products, were their main exports, thus resulting in a wealthy province.

“I am glad you have made the journey safely, my friends,” the duke said. He nodded to a few of his townsfolk as they crossed the square and headed for his manor.

“I had hoped you received my correspondence in time,” Jai said. “I was concerned it may not reach you before we arrived.”

Duke Erick nodded grimly. “I did, in fact. And I also happened to run into a few friends of yours,” he said cryptically, looking to Rook.

Before Jai could ask what he meant, a fury of honey-blonde hair came barreling into the group, catching Soren and Rook in a tight embrace.

“Nice to see you, Meena,” Rook said through a choked breath.

“I can’t believe you’re here!” she said, her voice cracking like weathered paint. “I have a bone to pick with you,” she said, turning a frustrated gaze on Soren. “If you ever leave us alone with him again”—she pointed a thumb in Rook’s face—“I will personally hunt you down and chain you to the table myself!”

Soren’s mouth hung open for a moment before she clacked her teeth together in a smile. “I missed you, too, Meena.”

“And what about me?” Evelyn’s calm alto drifted from behind Meena’s bubbling frame.

“Yeah, I guess I missed you, too,” Soren replied, welcoming her in a gentler embrace.

Evie placed a hand on Rook’s shoulder before saying, “I am glad you are all right.” Her eyes misted, but she blinked back the tears as she took in the small army in front of her. “You all look like you could use a drink and a hot meal.”

“You’ve got that right,” Adaryn said, rushing forward to shake Evie’s hand. “I’m Adaryn, the king-to-be’s partner, and I am famished.” Apparently, helping Mrs. Ferndale maintain the crew with half-decent meals on the ship had left little time for Adaryn to enjoy a hot meal to herself. She had spent the three-day journey eating cold leftovers and crunchy bits scraped from all but empty pots and pans below deck. She, of course, had not told Mrs. Ferndale this, for fear of being reprimanded for not eating properly. She had spent years in the castle overindulging and thought the least she could do was offer her portions to those who required a little more sustenance.

“Well, Adaryn,” Evie replied with a kind smile, “I think we can help with that.”

* * *

After stuffing themselves with some cabbage stew and salted ham, Soren excused herself from the makeshift table of the large mess tent. The massive piece of fabric was stretched over evenly spaced poles that created a tarped-off area that was one hundred feet long and forty feet wide. As they had entered, Erick had explained how this was where the soldiers and fighters would congregate to eat and also to discuss training schedules and have instructions relayed to them from their group leaders.

Soren looked at the barren field before her and couldn’t ignore the sense of foreboding. The attack on Irefeld had occurred while they had traveled. All the great fields around the Stelonbriar’s capital had been burned to the ground. Luckily for them, the city remained greatly untouched, and most of the residents had extensive cellars filled with canned fruits and vegetables that could last them until they rebuilt. If there is anything left to rebuild.

Soren pushed the negative thought from her mind as her gaze drifted over the flat, black landscape. It reminded her of an unfinished painting. It was almost as though the artist had lain out a black tapestry in the hopes to add bits of color but was stopped mid-brushstroke, leaving behind a foreboding black hole.

Her attention shifted as she heard Baz’s laugh carry from across the room. Somehow, he and Rook had ended up in a strong-arm contest, and from the angry look on Rook’s face, Baz had won.

Retreating from the smoke-filled air, she returned to her seat beside Enara.

“You good, lady?” Enara asked, having noticed her temporary absence.

“Yeah, just wanted some fresh air,” Soren replied, picking at a limp piece of cabbage that had affixed itself to the side of her wooden bowl.

Enara scrunched up her nose. “And how did you enjoy the smell of burned vegetables?”

“About as much as I enjoy Baz’s dad jokes,” Soren replied.

Their conversation halted for a moment before they burst out in laughter at Baz’s expense.

“You’re not wrong,” Enara replied, still laughing.

A hand reached for her face, and she flinched, the joy in her eyes swiftly replaced by fear as she folded away from the stray limb.

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