Page 79 of Shadows of Winter

“It’s nothing too worrisome, but we need to talk.” The woman gave Kaylina another look of disapproval before scrutinizing Vlerion.

His face was masked, and if he gave anything away, Kaylina couldn’t tell.

Vlerion nodded at Targon, then walked off with the woman without explaining who she was. Another noble who’d built forts with Vlerion in their youth and now thought he was a sexy hunk?

“If my instructor is busy, I can go home,” Kaylina told Targon.

He snorted. “Have no fear. We’ve many capable rangers who can take over for the morning.”

“Lucky me.”

With her leg throbbing, Kaylina followed the captain off to whatever torture and humiliation was next on the list. She couldn’t help but look back toward where Vlerion and the woman had stopped, their heads bowed in conversation. She touched his arm and pointed at Kaylina.

They were talking about her? Kaylina clenched her jaw.

Neither looked in her direction. Vlerion shook his head at whatever the woman said. She frowned at him. He shook his head again.

“This way, recruit.” Targon gripped Kaylina’s arm to get her moving again, determined to lead her away.

“Lucky me,” she repeated softly.

19

May the gods favor the innocent fallen on the battlefield, as the monarchs choosing their fate did not.

~ Moon Priest Denugla, Prayers for the Dying

After dusk, an unmarked carriage took Kaylina back to the castle. Her entire body ached, her leg throbbed, and weariness weighed down her limbs.

She hadn’t seen Vlerion since the morning, but numerous other rangers had given her private or group instruction, during which she’d discovered that quite a few other recruits were in training. Most had been male but there had been another woman, a tough-as-nails type with short hair and as many muscles as the men. Kaylina had spoken to her, thinking they might have a connection, but the woman worshipped the rangers and was voluntarily devoting her life to becoming one. Whether she was a commoner or noble, Kaylina hadn’t learned, but she had no trouble with the “my lords.”

When the driver stopped in front of the castle, its telltale red glow seeping from the tower window, it took a gargantuan effort for Kaylina to peel herself off the bench and climb out of the carriage. Once it took off, with no witnesses about to judge her for weakness, she leaned heavily on the crutch and walked slowly to the front door, pausing only to regard two signs that had been put out by the gate.

Menu:

Fennel and fig rack of lamb served with Warrior Red Currant Mead

Apple cider beef stew served with Full Moon Cyser

Honey garlic salmon served with Trappers Dry Mead

Tasting flights available

Kaylina smiled, touched that her brother had made progress, but she felt guilty that she hadn’t been there to help that day. And wouldn’t for many days to come. Not forever; she refused to believe that. Once Targon realized what a lousy ranger she would make, he would boot her out. Surely, it didn’t matter how much the taybarri liked a person if they couldn’t stand on a log without falling in a pool.

Frayvar wasn’t leaning against the wall in the courtyard. Kaylina didn’t know if that was a good sign or not.

“You alive, Fray?” she called as she entered the keep, not wanting to startle him.

The cavernous front rooms were dark, and she headed to the kitchen, expecting to find him there. She wouldn’t mind tasting some of those recipes if he had anything on the stove, but she didn’t smell any of the scintillating dishes. That was surprising.

When she pushed open the door to the kitchen, it was dark inside, the fire in the hearth down to embers. Several seconds passed before her eyes could pierce the shadows to spot someone lying still on the floor.

“Fray!” Kaylina sprang to his side and knelt to touch his chest. Images of finding a dagger thrust into his heart filled her imagination.

She didn’t bump into a blade or anything else, but he didn’t stir as she patted him. Nor when she shook him.

“Fray?”

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