Page 15 of Garlands and Gauntlets

“And he's still alive?”

“Hey, man, I don't even know if he's real.”

“But,” I cut in, reaching over and squeezing Theo’s knee. “It sounds promising, doesn’t it? Charming orcish warlord, here around twenty-five years ago, and the legend of his affair with a noblewoman…”

Theo’s hand covers mine, his big fingers curling around my palm. Garnok notices and flashes me a smirk, but Theo’s too wrapped up in what he’s learned to care. I watch him for a moment, trying to gage if he’s excited, scared, or a little bit of both.

“So,” I say. “What’s the next step?”

Garnok stands up to grab a poker and starts lazily prodding the embers in the fireplace. Theo lets out a breath like he’s made up his mind.

“You said some of your family lives in the Dragonsteel Mountains,” Theo says. Do you think they would know more?”

Garnok scratches his chin, looking thoughtful–or at least as thoughtful as anyonecanlook when they’re completely blazed. “Maybe,” he says. “I mean, it’s a small community. Word gets around. If Torin really existed, and if he went back to the Shadowlands…someone would know. But it’s not exactly an easy trip, and you know…orcs can be pretty standoffish.”

“But Iaman orc,” Theo presses.

“Just don’t be surprised if people aren’t sure about you,” Garnok says. “If you really plan on going, I could send word to my uncle. He could put you up.”

“Then…I guess that’s what I’ll do,” Theo nods.

Garnok leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Well, if you're dead set on heading up there, I’ll send word to Uncle Tharl. Just…be careful. He’s not as friendly as I am.”

“Thanks,” Theo says, and squeezes my hand. “I really appreciate it.”

Garnok waves him off. “No problem. Just make sure you don’t freeze to death before you even get there. The Dragonsteel Mountains aren’t exactly hospitable this time of year.”

Theo nods, but I can see that he won’t be dissuaded. This guy would march straight into a blizzard if it meant getting a shred of information about his father, which is equal parts admirable and frustrating.

Admirable because, well, it’s classic Theo: dedicated to a fault.

Frustrating because I know he’ll walk headfirst into trouble, and he needs somebody to watch his back.

We stand to leave, and Garnok ambles toward the door to see us out. “Take care, Vaelin,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder. “And you too, Theo. Don’t let this guy talk you into any schemes.”

Theo chuckles, completely unaware of the very real schemes Garnok is referencing. “I’ll try.”

As we step into the cold night, the warmth of Garnok’s house fades away, replaced by the chill of winter. Snow crunches under our boots, and the city’s faint glow lures us back. For a moment, we walk in silence–then Theo stops.

“Vaelin?”

“Hm?”

“I…” He hesitates, frowns. “I want you to come with me. To look for my father.”

I crane my neck to look up at him. “Really? Why?”

“Because,” he says. “I don’t know what I’m walking into. And…I trust you.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut.Trust. That’s a rare thing in the circles I move in, and hearing it from someone like Theo–so painfully genuine–makes it feel like I’ve swallowed a stone. My chest tightens, and I know now’s the time to tell him. To come clean.

But how do I tell him that the trust he has in me started with a lie?

“Theo,” I say, swallowing hard. “Before you make up your mind about that…there’s something you should know.”

He reaches out and takes my hand, his huge hands warm around mine. “What is it?”

I pull away, making him frown, and run a hand through my hair. “I’m…look, when we met, I wasn’t planning on helping you. I was planning on robbing you–telling you I would help you, taking your coin and bolting.”

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