Page 61 of Degradation

“Brother,” Garron called with a wave. “Our sister found a match.”

Eadric’s grin broadened, and he spoke quickly to the man before hurrying to us.

His embrace was filled with relief and hopelessness.

“What is it?” I asked quietly as he held me.

“No,” Garron said. “Not here.”

Eadric nodded, released me, and playfully took my hand, his empty smile back in place.

“Come, sister,” he said joyfully.

He led the three of us toward the market entrance just as a heavily manned patrol arrived.

“Will you have enough to buy me a new dress if Father does not?” I asked, looking hopeful between Eadric and Garron.

“It would be wiser to save the coin to buy food, you nit,” Garron said, shaking his head.

I tugged on Eadric’s arm. “Please?” I begged.

Eadric’s humor-filled gaze shifted from me to his brother.

“You know Mother will box our ears if we let her only daughter wed without a new gown.” He pretended to notice the guards at the last moment then quickly pulled me back and bowed his head.

Garron and I, along with the majority of the crowd in the market, did the same.

The patrol passed us with only a cursory glance.

Eadric hurried us out of the market, and I once again used my senses to avoid the patrol as he led us away.

“Not home,” Garron said when we should have taken a road to the left.

“Why?” Eadric asked.

“A patrol lingers there,” I said softly.

“We need to find Brandle and Liam.”

Eadric’s already pale complexion paled further, but he nodded and turned to face the white spires towering above the nearby rooftops.

Street by street, they grew more looming until we reached a well-appointed home with a manicured courtyard and pristine carriage house. He led us around the back and knocked on the servant’s door.

“I wish to speak to the little master of the house,” he said.

The servant took in Eadric’s appearance and sniffed disdainfully before glancing at me. The smell emanating from Eadric finally registered, and I understood why the older woman was pulling a long face when she stared at my shoulder. He’d mucked me. Yet, she stepped aside to allow us entry.

“Please wait here,” she said.

Once we were alone, Eadric let out a shaky breath and looked at Garron.

“A patrol took Edmund.”

Garron staggered as if someone had struck him. Guilt threatened to consume me, but aware of the danger, I pushed it down. I would not let another of them be taken because of me.

“When I saw them grab him, I covered myself in shite so they wouldn’t notice me.”

The guilt I couldn’t feel, Eadric did.

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