Page 26 of The Anointed's Paladin

“Hang on,” I said, getting the last of my clothes on. Something had caught my eye. I sighed as I saw my cloak—somehow, the corner had fallen into the muddy riverbank.

“What?” Nidori asked, coming over.

“It’s filthy.” I wrinkled my nose.

Kaine snorted. “It’s just a bit of mud. Not like you can avoid it out here.”

I splashed some water on it, trying to get the worst of it off.

“I prefer tonotlook like a vagabond,” I muttered.

14

Tease

Talon

“How about there?” Nidori asked, pointing to an area to our left. “It’s got a nice thick canopy.”

Kaine folded his arms, a slight frown on his face, but started heading over.

“Don’t think it's a good spot?” I asked him.

“Well, since you’re asking, no. Much too exposed.”

“Where do you suggest?”

He took us on a little more until he found a spot he liked. I didn’t know how it was different from the last place, but I wasn’t going to argue. I was exhausted.

We set up camp for the night, Nidori forming a den of sorts in a giant cedar, complete with a blanket of vines and moss to cover the entrance. It was little wonder Kaine wanted her; as long as she could grow plants, he was safe from the sun.

I set up a fire, much to Nidori’s fascination.

“Isn’t that dangerous?” she asked as I arranged the kindling.

“Not if you do it right,” I replied. “Haven’t you ever lit a fire before?”

She dropped her gaze, her long ears twitching. “Are you crazy? Why on earth would I light a fire? I’m not a psycho.” She gave a nervous laugh.

“Not even to cook? Or to keep warm?”

“We don’t cook.” Nidori lifted one tiny shoulder. “And it’s always warm in the western reach.”

“Wait, so sprites don’t use fires at all, then?” I asked again, shocked.

“Oh, no. That’s strictly forbidden. Why risk the whole grove?” she said. “I got—I mean, you would get in big, big trouble if you were found lighting a fire.”

She edged closer to the kindling.

“So, um, how do you make it actually stay lit? It, um, seems like it would be hard.”

I laughed. “Not for an enferni.” I snapped my fingers, summoning a tiny flame.

Nidori stared at it, eyes wide. I brought it down to the kindling and summoned more until the dry twigs and sticks caught fire.

“Wow,” she said, staring at the flames.

I put my hand out, guiding her backwards a bit. “Don’t get too close.”

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