Page 81 of Skalterra By Nightmare
“Why?Her?” I pointed at Tamora, and she smiled down at me. “I thought she was letting us go when we got to Riverstead.”
Ferrin leaned in close to hiss in my ear.
“The Baron doesn’t let anyone go.” He patted my shoulder and went to meet Galahad at the bow of the boat.
I rubbed at my neck, knowing I was going to wake up with my worst knot yet. Maybe stretching the joint here would make my real body back in Keldori a little more limber and comfortable on the staircase.
“I’m sorry about the stairs,” Orla said. “And the ambulance. Whatever an ambulance is.”
Tiernan snorted next to her, and Fana pushed back her hood to look up at him.
“What?” she asked.
He shook his head, and the gold beads in his twisted locks clicked together as he did.
“Nothing.”
“Don’t mind him,” I snapped. “He’s suffering from indigestion because he doesn’t know if he should be angry I’m here or happy my real body’s neck might be broken.”
Tiernan shrugged back at Fana.
“I guess the Nightmare isn’t a complete idiot after all.” His gold-flecked eyes flitted to meet mine, and his scowl deepened.
Orla hooked my elbow in hers and dragged me away from Tiernan before I could take my frustration out on him. Tamora’s Nightmares had descended on our deck, and now they ran between us in leather trousers and tunics, carrying ropes.
“I’m sorry Galahad pulled you over too quickly,” Orla said, “but I’m glad you’re here. I feel like I’ve hardly seen you all week.”
“Yeah, it’s hard to catch up with each other when Tamora insists on using me as her bodyguard’s punching bag.”
Orla frowned and cast a backwards glance at the Baron.
“Speaking of catching up, the Grimguard couldn’t have followed us here, right? Do you think we’re in the clear?”
“I’d be surprised if he’s even conscious yet. And honestly, I’m a little jealous. I could go for a good coma. I’m starting to forget what sleeping feels like.”
“Don’t worry,” Orla assured me, “once we make it to the Second Sentinel, you’ll get to relax! We both will, and I’ll get to show you my home.”
“Will you?” As much as I hated being linked to Galahad and getting left unconscious on the stairs, the thought of saying goodbye to Orla and the rest of Skalterra made me pause. “Galahad won’t need me anymore.”
“But you’re still our friend.” Orla frowned at the Nightmares lowering a gangplank to the dock. Dockworkers yelled to each other below, running lines and rope along the planks. “Galahad would bring you back if you wanted to return.”
“Orla, I’myourfriend, not Galahad’s. It costs him magick to bring me here.”
Orla forced a grin and hitched her knapsack up higher on her shoulder.
“Then I’ll have him teach me how to bring you here myself, Just-Wren. It’s an advanced skill, but I’d figure it out to see you again.”
“Let’s focus on getting home first.” Ferrin came up behind her and brushed dust off his vest. “Welcome to Riverstead, the southernmost port of the Breachriver Prefecture.”
“Officially putting you and your friends outside of my jurisdiction.” Tamora’s voice rang out over the deck as she approached. Tiernan drew Fana closer to his side as she passed, but the Baron didn’t seem to notice. Instead, she grinned at me and held a slender hand out to mine. “I hope you enjoyed your escort. I know I did.”
Ferrin gave me an encouraging nod, and I accepted her handshake. Her monocle made me feel like she could see straight through my skin and to the Skal that swirled inside me.
“I wish I could say it was a pleasure, Baron,” Galahad grunted, already mounting the gangplank to disembark. “But alas. It wasn’t.”
“Careful,” Tamora sang. “We may be outside of the Grand Barony, but you’re still on my boat, Lyrian.”
Galahad made a show of shuffling down the gangplank and landing heavy on the dock.
