Page 37 of Shadows of Winter

Allies and enemies tempt us by different means but tempt us all the same.

~ Kar’ruk High Commander O’tak

As noon approached, Kaylina tipped the pot toward the funnel, carefully pouring the must for her first batch of mead into one of the scrupulously cleaned carboys. Once finished, she stifled a yawn as she set the pot aside and grabbed the airlock, pausing to rub her gritty eyes.

She and Frayvar had spent two nights in the castle and hadn’t been murdered yet, but they hadn’t slept much either. Each evening, Kaylina dreaded twilight’s approach and the return of nightmares, but she refused to leave. They couldn’t leave.

In her mind, she’d proven her bravery—or foolishness—to Vlerion, and they didn’t need to spend nights there because of him, but they’d sent five hundred liviti away with the signed lease, and they needed to buy so many things. They couldn’t afford to spend money sleeping at another inn when they had dozens of rooms here.

She kept having to remind herself that goals worth having weren’t easily achieved. They required sacrifice and work.

“So obnoxious.”

Frayvar walked into the kitchen, yawning as much as she. “Have you noticed cloaked people coming to watch us through the windows?”

“Yes. Just one though.” Kaylina looked at him to see if the numbers had increased. “How many are out there now?”

“One, but one’s enough to be concerning, isn’t it? Especially since she’s hiding her face. It’s not like we would know who she was if she showed it.” He shrugged. “We don’t know anyone.”

“Yeah.”

The words brought a pang of loneliness. It wasn’t surprising that Kaylina would miss the rest of the family, and having more people around to talk with, but when she’d left, frustrated by being ordered around and unappreciated, she’d thought she would be happy once she had her freedom. Now… even though she was working toward her dream, she was more weary than happy.

“It’s probably someone curious about us for staying in the cursed castle,” she said.

“You think so?” The wariness in Frayvar’s eyes meant he thought it was more than that.

“Who else would care about us?”

“The rangers do.”

“Just the captain.”

“Vlerion seems okay.” Frayvar shrugged.

“But he doesn’t care.”

“Well, no, but it’s concerning that the captain does.”

“True.”

Frayvar lowered his voice and glanced around, as if spies might be lurking behind a counter. “I’m glad they haven’t been by for a few days. I don’t think… What did you mean the other night when you said we can’t leave? I don’t want to, because I’m here to help you and see us be successful… but you said it like it wouldn’t be an option.”

“Apparently, Captain Targon ordered the shipmasters in the harbor not to give us passage if we try to book it.”

“Oh.”

“There’s a highway along the coast,” Kaylina said, “but I’ve heard it’s rough because it goes over mountains that drop straight down to the water.”

“Yes. There’s a pass that way that will be blocked a while longer with snow. All freight comes in and out via the harbor. Can I send a letter? They’re not monitoring our mail, are they?”

“I doubt it. Who would you send a letter to?”

“Grandpa and Grandma. We’ll need more funds before long, and, if we’re going to set up a serious meadery, we’ll need a lot more honey. Each batch requires a substantial amount.”

“I know, but unless I was going to bring a horse and wagon, I was limited by what I could fit in those trunks. Besides, I…” Kaylina shrugged away her hesitancy. Her brother already knew most of the details of her departure. “I didn’t ask to take the honey I did bring. I wanted to be successful first, to prove I could do this, before asking for help.” She’d also been afraid their grandparents would have said no. If her sister had wanted to do this, they would have supported her, but Silana was older. And perfect. Kaylina… was not.

“That’s not logical. You didn’t bring enough honey or money to do anything but start a hobby. If I hadn’t come along with extra funds, you would already be scrubbing dishes in somebody’s inn for paltry wages. You wouldn’t be any happier doing that here than back home. Probably less.”

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