Page 102 of Guiding Reason
They came to a stop after minutes.He must’ve been searching. Going by a map is one thing, but how he keeps track of where he is when he runs like this I have no idea.
Hyran didn’t let go of Col’s legs immediately, but when Col looked up, he recognized the house set in the center of neatly maintained fields. The horn cat that seemed to roam as it pleased wandered on the garden path as from the front door, Rose walked out, jaw set and eyes narrowed.
“Rose!” Col waved.
Rose’s expression shifted. “You, ma? Why are you back, ma? And why with another, ma?”
“That who we’re here for? He was in the other boat the day we met.” Hyran’s voice was a whisper.
“Sort of. Let me down.”
Hyran did, gently, carefully, but he stuck close to Col, kept touching, hand on the small of Col’s back. On the path ahead, Anandas came out of the house as well and pushed past Rose. Behind Anandas, another blue-skinned, yellow-eyed Hound poked his head out and carefully took a few steps forward. This one stayed behind Rose though.
Not that many earrings in that one’s ears. Maybe that means he’s not as murderous?
“What happened to you, ma?” Anandas asked, not stopping as he approached them.
Rose caught up with him. “Don’t ask that. We gave succor. We are done with them, and in case you can’t tell, that one is a new city dweller, a different one. He keeps bringing more as if we need them here. Pah.”
Anandas made a whooping noise at Rose. “You are not too same to me anymore. I can tell humans apart now, sweet Rose, so I won’t accidentally kiss another. Col. Why is there blood on your hands, ma?”
Col looked down at himself. He hadn’t even noticed, couldn’t even quite remember when it’d happened. He’d searched for a pulse in the first person he’d gone to, had found none…I should’ve put on gloves. You’d think I paid more attention in first aid class. They tell you to put on gloves, always. Now I got blood all over Hyran’s uniform.
“There was an attack. A town near Cuprea—north of here. A town in the north. Hyran is friends with them, and we went thereto talk with them, found they’d been attacked.” He pointed to his right. “This is Hyran.”
The second Hound said something in the Hound language, and Rose responded in kind.
Anandas snorted, looked at Col, then Hyran. “You came here for help.”
Col nodded, fists tense at his sides. “We can’t do anything. We can’t bring them into the city, and we can’t bring people out to help.”
Col wasn’t sure how to read Anandas’s expression exactly. Sadness? Disgust? Pity?
Either way, the Hound made a sharp noise.
“To have so much and share so little. Such fear and despair. Walls have strange powers over humans.” He turned to Rose. “Bring my bag.”
Rose gasped. “But—”
Col stepped forward. “I’ll stay here. This Guardian has imprinted on me. He’ll come back for me, and he won’t endanger me by endangering Anandas.” Col looked up at Hyran whose jaw had dropped as if he were only just realizing he’d have to leave Col behind to take Anandas anywhere.
Hyran made a strangled noise. “Say what now?”
Anandas nodded once. “You are a smart leader, Col. I did not know city dwellers understood the custom of hostages, but it is a thing we do. A thing we trust in. Like succor.”
Rose dashed forward and took Anandas’s wrist. “I sure don’t take fucking hostages to buy your safety. Anandas—”
“Rose. My Rose, I am called to heal.” The Hound put his free hand on Rose’s chest, looking calm in a way Col couldn’t but admire. “I have to come when called. You’re afraid when there is no need.”
“There’s no need because I’m not leaving Col here as a hostage.”
Anandas gave Hyran a very level gaze, and the other Hound simply seemed curious.They don’t have dramas out here. This is probably just as good as any drama if you’re watching without a stake in it.
“You said you’re bound, ma?” Anandas asked lightly. “To him, ma? A speedling, ma?”
Col groaned.Speedling is distractingly too cute.“Yes. Hyran, these people saved Karmine. They helped Vin, and Loquin, whether that one deserved it or not. You don’t have to be confrontational. And I know you care for the people of that town bleeding on those tables. I will be safe here. Rose?”
The outsider rolled his eyes. “I don’t hurt you. I don’t want Anandas going with you though.”
