Page 57 of Shadows of Winter

She opened her mouth, though she didn’t know what query she wanted to voice.

“Ask me no more questions,” Vlerion said softly.

Yeah, that was definitely a warning on his face.

She thought of the utterly destroyed fur shark, with its head smashed in and its guts dangling. “Okay.”

15

The older one gets, the less one cares about engaging in socially acceptable behavior.

~ Mendar the Crazy

A cold breeze swept off the snowy mountains and across the frosty cobblestones of the compound Vlerion entered, still carrying Kaylina. He’d done so the whole way, even climbing the ladder out of the root cellar while balancing her. In the castle, he’d stood patiently with her in his arms while she’d explained to Frayvar what had happened. Technically, she’d downplayed what had happened, not letting him get a good look at her leg and saying only that she’d hurt herself. Her brother had wanted to accompany them, but Vlerion had swept his hood over his head and reminded them that the fewer people who saw either of them with rangers, the better.

On the way to his headquarters, he’d avoided busy streets and had taken a roundabout route through alleys and sewer access tunnels. Only when they’d entered through the front gate of his walled compound had he pushed back his hood and walked openly through the courtyard.

A familiar ranger jogged up to Vlerion, falling in at his side. It was his handsome friend, Jankarr. He smiled at Kaylina, the gesture conveying reassurance and concern, before giving Vlerion a stern look.

“You went off to find trouble without me? And you got Targon’s innkeeper wounded? I’m your riding partner. I’m supposed to be at your side when there’s a fight.” Jankarr noticed the rips in Vlerion’s clothes, though Vlerion had pulled his cloak close, either because he was cold or to hide the damaged garments. Kaylina suspected the latter.

“I didn’t intend to find trouble when I left. I went in search of my wayward mount.” Vlerion looked toward a stable where numerous taybarri stood out front, noshing from buckets that were probably filled to the brim with protein pellets.

“That was three hours ago. He’s been back for two.” Jankarr thrust a finger toward the taybarri.

Until one swished his tail with a defiant cant while looking over at them, Kaylina couldn’t tell one from another. But when the animal’s brown eyes met hers, she knew that was Crenoch. He sashayed toward them while chewing his last bite.

“I decided to check the catacombs while I was at the castle. Go tell Targon I have an update on the Virts for him.”

Jankarr opened his mouth, a protest on his lips, but Vlerion looked coolly at him.

Jankarr threw up his arms and trotted off.

Were they partners, as Jankarr had said, or was Vlerion his superior? Vlerion seemed the younger of the two, but Kaylina didn’t know how quickly rangers could gain rank. Maybe it had more to do with deeds than years in service.

Vlerion veered toward a building with three herbs painted by the door, one of the kingdom’s signs to indicate a doctor or herbalist, often someone who was both. Crenoch caught up with them before they reached it. He sniffed Kaylina’s leg, fortunately from afar without bumping it, then looked at Vlerion.

“It’s not my fault.” Vlerion knocked on the door with the toe of his boot. “No, it is my fault.”

Crenoch snorted, hot breath whispering across their faces.

“No, it’s not,” Kaylina said, bemused that the taybarri might understand, even though Vlerion had suggested the possibility. “He told me to hide, and I, instead, tried to brain people with my sling.”

The door opened as she spoke, and a white-haired man with the scarred face and hands of a warrior raised his bushy eyebrows. “Sling’s not a real powerful weapon for braining. Try a mace next time. Something with heft.”

Kaylina thought of the heavy pots in the castle and wondered if the rangers had found whoever had killed that lord.

“Her rounds have decent heft,” Vlerion muttered. “Need you to tend her, Doc.”

“You and your posse?” The white eyebrows remained up as he looked past them.

Only then did Kaylina realize that not only had Crenoch followed them across the courtyard but three other taybarri had joined him. The large furred animals all gazed curiously at Kaylina. She didn’t know whether to wish she’d brought honey with her or not. Vlerion hadn’t approved of that, but she had a feeling Crenoch had conveyed to the rest of the herd that she was a honey dispensary.

“That’s her posse. You know the taybarri don’t flock to me.” Only briefly did Vlerion’s mouth flatten—was that bitterness?—before his usual mask returned.

“Well, you aren’t the most charming, are you?” The doctor pointed a thumb toward several empty cots in the outer room.

“No.” Vlerion carried Kaylina to the closest, laying her gently on it. When he stood, he didn’t shake out his arms or give any indication that toting her around the city had been a strain. He pulled a stool over and sat on it.

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