Page 105 of Rogue Elves of Ardani

“I’ve been looking around for a way to remove your binding, by the way,” Sarna said, “but it’s no simple task, as I’m sure you know. Normally people don’t use a soulbinder with the intention of ever removing it. I’m afraid it’s looking quite impossible.”

Vaara looked over at her, surprised and a little embarrassed to learn that she knew about his binding. “Crow told you?”

“She asked me if I could find a way to remove it, back when you first came in.”

He suddenly remembered Crow taking Sarna aside to speak to her in whispers. Days ago, she’d already been trying to find a way to remove the binding? “That was what she was talking to you about?” he asked. “That first time we came to the shop?”

“She said not to mention it to you. She didn’t want to get your hopes up. We knew it was a long shot. But I suppose I can tell you now, since I’ve got nothing to get your hopes up with anyway.”

“I see…”

In the distance, a dark shape loomed against a forested hill. Lights glowed in windows, making it visible to even Sarna’s weak eyes.

It was a strange cross between a manor house and an old Ardanian military fortress, made of stone blocks that reminded Vaara of the prison, but dilapidated and covered in ivy and moss. The road to its front gate hadn’t been cleared and was covered in a layer of snow. Vaara got the impression that the building had been used and reused by many people for many different purposes over the centuries.

“Is that it?” he asked.

She gave a single nod.

“Dim your light.”

She did as he asked. The road went dark.

Cold, unrelenting wind fluttered their cloaks. Firelight flickered in the windows of the manor. Vaara watched the windows, doors, and balconies, searching for movement. The only sign of life was that dull, unstable firelight. Crow was somewhere inside there. So was Patros.

“Well. Good luck,” Sarna said.

Vaara looked up. “What?”

“Good luck. I’ll say a prayer to Volkan for you.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

She snorted. “What? Of course not. What do I look like, a battlemage?”

“You’re a mage. What difference is there?”

“There’s a huge difference. I’m not a fighter.”

Vaara looked back at the manor. He was begrudgingly regretting not taking Aruna’s help.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine.” She gave him an encouraging pat on the arm, and he stiffened at the touch. She must have noticed, because she quickly pulled her hand away.

“I’m a single out of practice swordsman with one eye and eight fingers, aged past my prime and half starved for the past year. I feel you may be overestimating my abilities.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. You’re certainly much braver than I am—that counts for something. I’ll be at my shop when you come back, if you need patching up. I’ll give you a discount.” She turned and started back toward Valtos.

“Wasn’t it free last time you healed me?” he pointed out.

She sighed. “I knew I was going to regret that. You give something away for free once, and people start getting greedy. You know, spellcasting isn’t easy. If I—”

“Fine. A discount is fine.”

“I should think so. Ash and blood…” She turned again, giving a final wave over her shoulder as she went.

Vaara felt amusement tugging at his lips. He probably hated Sarna the least out of all the humans he’d met lately.

Aside from Crow.

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