Gwenna
Despite being snuggledin Raptor’s arms at night, I’m still having trouble sleeping. My dreams are filled with more of the senseless babble of the dead, and Hemmen’s accusing gaze. Of wandering the Everbelow as hands reach out to grab me and try to pull me into the shadows. I wake up before everyone else in the morning and head to the kitchen. Marta is behind on her cooking. It looks as if she left last night without preparing anything for today. It seems such a small thing to do, and I’ve spent so much time in kitchens growing up, that I automatically start making the dough for the day’s bread. It’ll need to proof for a few hours, and she can probably use the help.
Besides, it’s not like I’m going to be an artificer anytime soon. I fight back a sigh of frustration and slap the dough a little harder just to work the emotions out of my system. It feels good to do something I know I can manage, so I ready the dough, then start to chop vegetables and soak barley. Raptor really loves a barley soup, and I want to make something comforting. Maybe I’ll ask to be the nestmaid at another residence. Maybe I’ll ask to be Hawk’s nestmaid.
Maybe I’ll just toss my pride out the window. I snort at that.
Marta comes into the house at dawn, surprised to see me in the kitchen.She pulls her shawl off her shoulders and hangs it on a hook by the door. “Oh. What are you doing up?”
“I couldn’t sleep,” I tell her, shaping the last of the bread rolls and setting it on a pan to rise. “So I thought I’d help out. Are you caught up on the laundry?”
“I am, but it’s good that you’re awake. I intercepted a messenger as I was coming in.” She holds a scroll out to me. “I told them I’d pass it along.”
I peer at the name written on the binding. It saysRAPTORin shaky lettering. “I’ll wake him up. Should we notify Master Jay?”
“He actually just left.” She gestures at the back hall. “Got a summons and headed out.”
Figures. “Probably mad that all these horrible goings-on are cutting into his time alone with his widow woman. I’ll tell the others.”
She gives me a grateful smile, her expression turning slightly worried. “I hope the messages are nothing important.”
“Aye, I hope that, too.” At the rate we’re going, though, I don’t think that’s the case. I’m tempted to read the letter myself, but I’m tits-poor at reading, and it’s not my business anyhow. Is this more of Rooster’s thief hunt? Or something else?
When I enter the dormitory room, it’s quiet and dark. The room has no windows to let the light in, and there are no candles lit. I tiptoe over to the bed I share with Raptor and tap his arm.
He immediately hauls me down onto the bed and nuzzles my throat. His hand goes for my breast, and he makes a disappointed sound when his fingers skim over tight corset instead of loose tit. “Here I thought you were waking me up properly,” he whispers, nibbling on my throat. “Should I let you go or should I pretend that we’re alone?”
Oh gods, I would truly love to pretend for a while. I shake my head in the dark, though. “You’ve a letter.”
“By the bull god’s bollocks,” he mutters, but he gets up from bed.
I straighten my clothing as he dresses, and when he opens the doors to let light in, I move to his side.
I hold the scroll out, and he frowns at the seal on it as he takes it. “It’s not from Rooster.”
“No?” I don’t know if I feel relieved or worried to hear that. The guild leader hasn’t made a decision, then.
“No. I don’t recognize the writing.” He flicks the wax seal open and unrolls it, skimming the letter in the dim light of the hallway. Then he groans louder. “I should have known.”
“What is it?”
Raptor rolls the missive up again and shakes his head. “Rescue effort. All guild Taurians are needed. It doesn’t say what happened, but it can’t be good.”
“That’s unfortunate.” I’ve heard from Sparrow that the Taurians are called in constantly to help when a team needs a rescue in the tunnels. It happens often that someone gets lost, someone gets too hurt to continue, or a mining shaft collapses. “May I come with you? Like last time?”
Raptor pulls me close and kisses my forehead. “This time, no. I knew it wasn’t dangerous last time. This time, who knows. It could be a bad ratling infestation and they need more warriors. It wouldn’t be safe for you. Best that you stay here and wait for Rooster’s response.”
I make a face at that. “I know you’re right, but I hate it.”
“I do, too. I’m going to have to leave you in the care of Arrod and Kipp. You think that doesn’t bother me?” He cups my face in one big hand. “Because it does. It bothers me a lot. At least Master Jay is here.”
“Actually, he’s not. Marta said he was called away this morning. Kipp is skilled, though.”
“I have weapons that are bigger than Kipp is.”
“There’s also Arrod. He’s…well, he’s enthusiastic.” I grin up at him. “If that counts for anything.”
“Just take care of yourself. Don’t go anywhere with strangers. Don’t get separated from either one of them. Take the maid with you if you must go somewhere.”