Page 104 of Bloodguard

There is unrest along the borders following Vitor’s decision to close them.

Rumors of war abroad.

And here within our own realm are the stirrings of dissent. Ugeen, Aisling, Soro, Vitor.

All this while Papa rots in prison, Dahlia’s health fails, and more fighters fall in the arena at Soro’s whim.

“Maeve,” Neela calls as she enters the parlor. “The courier came.”

I rise when she hands me two letters, her expression grim. I’m not sure I can take more bad news or much more stress.

The first letter comes from Soro’s desk and is addressed to Leith.

I hesitate only for a second before ripping the seal and unfolding the parchment.

Leith of Siertos, you are hereby ordered by General Soro of Revlis in observance of your contract heretofore signed upon your arrival in Arrow to report to the arena tomorrow, where you may or may not be summoned to compete in battle.

Shit. Legs unsteady, I lower myself into my chair near the window.

I knew this was coming, but seeing the proof of it makes my stomach churn with dread. They will show Leith no mercy. I already visited the castle this morning to speak to the guards I’ve bribed. They claimed they had no new information, and I believe them. Whatever Soro has planned, he is not discussing it with anyone.

This is bad.

I wring my hands, then catch myself and settle them on my breeches. Leith will be exhausted when he returns. I already have tonics prepared, fresh blankets on the bed, and food waiting, so he can rest and eat and sleep. But he might not have time for any of that. And I hate to think of him being disadvantaged when he steps into the arena.

He still isn’t fully healed from the last match.

I force myself to remain calm. I need to think. I ready for the second letter, and when I see the scribbled marking on the cover, my heart skips a beat. I shouldn’t open it, but I need to know that my medicine arrived in time. Need to prepare myself to care of Leith’s family in the event that it did not. In this moment, I choose to ask forgiveness rather than permission.

It’s a short, barely legible note, scribbled by Leith’s sister Rose’s hand.

I skim it quickly and sigh in relief.

His “little shadow” is still sick with fever, but she lives. It’s hot where they are instead of cold and rainy as it should be this time of year. Perhaps the instability of the weather plays a part in why sweet Dahlia continues to fall ill. Stars know it’s causing problems in every other corner of this world.

I hope Leith’s mission with Caelen will prove fruitful.

It won’t be easy. With the borders closed, arranging passage out of Siertos may be impossible. But as Father pointed out, we have a better chance of defending them here.

But if they can’t reach Arrow…

I return to the ledger I was skimming through, only to slam it shut and toss it back on Papa’s desk, stirring Toso awake from where he naps on the windowsill.

Toso is our largest estrella, his size similar to a full-grown lemur. I smile when he chirps and leaps onto my shoulder, and I stroke the fur on top of his head. Estrellas are smart and can understand sentiments and even some words. Not like moon horses but more than any non-magical beast, to be sure. And while I don’t think he can understand me now, I speak aloud nonetheless. “I’m worried about Leith,” I say.

Toso nestles against me.

I can’t just wait here. I must do something.Think, Maeve. Think.

Should Leith and Caelen fail to secure passage for Leith’s family, if they must remain in Leith’s home of Grey, then they’ll need food and supplies in order to survive.

My darling fuzz ball chitters and clings to me. It wouldn’t hurt to have a little company, especially from someone protective. “Neela, do we have a large sack I can fit Toso in?”

Neela eyes me. “And why, my dear?”

“I need to get to town, and I’d like a little company.”

Neela crosses her arms. “Why can’t your company consist of guards, as your station requires?”

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