Page 135 of Silverbow
“You have everything you need?”
Liam gaped at her. That had been the plan but…
“I’ll see you back at the inn,” she said flatly. “And Liam, light me a beacon fire.”
The demi-elf tugged Enya between two passing carts and they vanished down a crowded street. Panic rose in Liam’s chest. He may very well have just lost Enya Ryerson again. For good.
Oryn
Oryn was half surprised when a glance around the common room did not find Enya twirling around to the jaunty jig. He shouldered open the door to the dining room, where he instead expected to find her deep into the fire wine and only found Aiden frowning over an array of heavy parchment cards in a game meant for one.
“Where is she?” He asked, not bothering to keep the sharpness from his voice.
Aiden shrugged but didn’t look up. “It’s Bade’s turn to watch her.”
“He’s not come back?”
The fire wielder blew out a long sigh. “If he’s not upstairs and he’s not in here, I think it’s safe to say he’s not come back.”
Oryn took a deep breath, trying to dispel his temper.
“She’s probably out enjoying the show or putting on one of her own,” Aiden grinned. “Pull up a chair, I’ll deal you in.”
He glanced at the clock on the mantle. The festivities were in full swing. The alchemist’s show would be starting soon. It was entirely possible she was taking in the sights and she had both Colm and Bade with her. Or at least, she had Colm with her and Bade trailing after them in the shadows at his request.
Begrudgingly, Oryn lowered himself into a chair. Aiden gathered his cards and shuffled them together, whistling merrily with a dancing light in his eyes that suggested he knew it was grating on Oryn’s temper. He had barely dealt two hands and explained the game when a scuffle in the hall made Oryn reach for the hilt of his sword. The door swung in to admit Liam, stumbling from the rough shove Bade gave to his back. Oryn’s stomach dropped to his boots.
“I’ll deal us all in,” Aiden quipped.
“Where is she?” Oryn asked, looking from glowering blademaster to snarling stable boy.
“Ask him,” Bade growled.
“I’m not her keeper,” Liam spat.
Oryn frowned at his companion. “I thought you were tailing them.”
Bade’s eyes narrowed. “The other two slipped the leash.”
Oryn scrubbed a hand down his face. Whatever she was up to, she was doing it now.
“This one set fire to Ralenet’s townhouse.”
Gods above.
Aiden whistled through his teeth. “I think we ought to make you both honorary Enons.”
“Did a bloody good job of it too,” Bade added. “Half the Gold Quarter is burning.”
“The alchemists will be disappointed with the competition,” Aiden mused.
“Where is she, stable boy?”
“I left her at the parade with Andril. She…wanted some air.”
Air.As if there wasairin Misthol. Oryn rose slowly, his chair scraping across the floor. Liam seemed to realize his mistake as his eyes darted around the room.
“You’re the diversion, aren’t you? For us or them, stable boy?”
