Page 93 of The Sorrow of Shadows

There had been a few inns and taverns that he might have stopped at, but when we stopped to ask the tavern owner if he remembered seeing Julian, he had no memory of seeing a soldier matching his description within the last week.

“It seems Julian didexactlyas I commanded, stopping nowhere he could be recognized, and I’ve never been moredispleased at him for following orders.” I sigh, the frustration seeping through me.

Aurelius rides close to my left side and has remained quiet for most of our journey. When he speaks, it’s not what I expect. “Keep your eyes forward, General. We’re being followed. They’ve been on us since we stopped at the last tavern.”

I stiffen but follow his instructions. “Do you have any idea who it might be?” I keep my voice barely above a whisper. What I don’t ask is how he managed to sense it when I hadn’t noticed anything. That thought was more unsettling than being followed.

“No, they haven’t come close enough for me to get a look at their attire.”

“How many?”

“Just one.”

“Plan?”

“I don’t know what they want, but I don’t think they mean us harm. I don’t sense any ill intention on them.”

“The trees are getting thicker up ahead. I could wrap us in shadows and ambush them as they pass through.”

“That’ll do. When they’re close enough, I should be able to render their limbs motionless so we can question them.”

I nod in acknowledgment of our plan. We ride another ten minutes until the trees start to thicken. Once the horses pass through a particularly shady patch, I wrap my shadows around the both of us, allowing us to blend into the natural shade of the trees.

We wait for another ten minutes until our tail appears. It’s not at all what I expect to see when a mousy young female peaks her head around the grouping of trees. I’m sure she’s looking for us since it probably seemed as if we disappeared into the shadows in front of her.

I take a moment to observe her before either of us move. She has chestnut hair and deep blue eyes. Her body is tall andwillowy, limbs thin and dainty. It’s what I imagine my mother would look like if she were severely underfed. The girl has slight curves, but it’s hard to find them with the lack of meat on her bones. Still, there’s a brightness in her eyes; a determination.

I give Aurelius a nod to signal it’s time to enact our plan. He holds up his hand, twisting his fingers in a motion to freeze her in place. At the same time, I release the shadows keeping us hidden.

“Hello, little mouse,” I say, greeting her with a smile. If she’s scared, she doesn’t show it.

Aurelius has left her control of her neck and head, so she can turn it to look us in the eyes. She twists her head around, examining her frozen body.

“Hmm. How intriguing,” she hums before turning her gaze back to us. “Hello, Princess and Lord Aurelius.”

“So, youdoknow who we are,” I reply, confirming she knows who she’s been following. “But care to share who you are and why you’re following us?”

“The name is Nameah Galvin. I’m following you because I overheard you in Mo’s tavern, and I have something I think you’ll want to see.”

This piques my interest—she had heard us asking about Julian. It would be our first real lead, and I couldn’t let it pass.

Aurelius seems less convinced. “Why should we trust you? You could have approached us at the tavern, yet you followed us all the way out here instead.”

“I’m not from that town. My family lives about a half day's ride to the south, but I come into town for supplies and trading when necessary. I don’t trust everyone in town, and I have a feeling you don’t want news spreading about what I’m about to show you.”

My hackles rise at her words, something in my gut telling me to believe her. I look to Aurelius for confirmation that she’s being truthful, and he nods.

“Very well, Nameah. I believe you. Lead the way.” I nod to Aurelius so he’ll release the hold he has on her body.

He relaxes his hand, and movement returns to her previously frozen limbs. She wiggles her fingers and stares at them in awe.

“What an interesting Gift. I’ve never seen one quite like it, though I’ve never seen much of any Gifts with how far away from most people we live.” Nameah rambles on, and I’m unsure if she’s speaking to us or herself. “I’ve heard tales of your power, General. Of course, I’ve encountered the occasional shadow wielder, but none nearly as strong as what you’re rumored to be.”

I chuckle lightly. “Are you trying to flatter us, Nameah?”

“No!” she exclaims a bit too quickly, then reconsiders. “Well, maybe a bit. I have always wanted to join the Rimorian army, so I figured it best to get in your good graces.”

That bit of information surprises me, but I keep my face neutral. I decide to question her as we ride. “How old are you?”

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