Page 58 of The Assassin's Bride

“As is Gilgarion,” the prince said. “There are some scholars who speculate they're the same person, you know.”

“And others who say they are rivals.” A competitive spark lit Gil's face.

Rilion rolled his eyes. “Two interpretations of the same story is a far more likely explanation, and you know it. Just like you know the One whom the Ranorsh revere and the Kentorian deity of Light are likely the same. They're just offshoots of the same faith.”

Gil raised a finger in warning. “I am not having that argument again.”

Their back-and-forth was charming. Thea giggled to herself. “Again? Do the two of you talk at all outside of debating?”

“As a matter of fact, the similarities between the legendary hero Rilion and the hero Gilgarion were the reason we first spoke,” Rilion said.

“Don't think I didn't notice you referred to only Rilion as legendary,” Gil said.

“I don't know that I've heard of either one. Beyond the names being common, that is.” Although Thea couldn't recall any other Gilgarions, and it was only Gil's middle name, not his first.

Rilion brightened. “Is that so? I happen to have recently read a new perspective on the likely origins of the heroic legend. If you'd like, perhaps I could—”

“Save it for the road,” Gil said, slapping his friend's shoulder.

That was certainly what they were; friends. Seeing the playful camaraderie between the two of them warmed Thea's heart.

In a strange way, it brought her comfort, too. They'd dealt so little with other people along their journey. Seeing Gil banter good-naturedly with someone other than herself reassured her that was simply the way he was, not only a front he'd put on while they traveled. The way a man behaved around his friends was telling, sometimes.

Gil boosted Thea to the saddle and helped her settle, then climbed onto his own mount. Rilion did, too, and once he was settled on the gray horse's back, he drew up the hood of his cloak.

“Just a moment, now!” Ina called from the kitchen's back door. The maid hurried across the cobbles with a bundle in her arms. “If you're going north, the lot of you can't go like that. Not with cloaks alone.” She spread her arms to present three coats in the Ranorsh style.

Thea beamed. “I was just wondering if I should have made a cloak for myself. Thank you, Ina.” She leaned down to accept the gift from the maid, who moved from horse to horse to distribute the coats.

Gil ran his hand across the red collar of his.

“Your favorite,” Thea remarked.

He cracked a smile.

“Thank you,” Rilion said sheepishly as he draped the coat across the front of his saddle. That was a good place for it, too; it would keep his legs warm while the weather was pleasant enough that wearing it would have been uncomfortable. Thea spread hers across her legs, too.

“Yes, thank you.” Gil reined his horse toward the gate. “Now we should go. We've tarried long enough.”

Ina waved them off without so much as a word of farewell before she retreated into the kitchen.

Once she was gone, Gil's face grew stony. “Is she trustworthy?”

“Few are,” Rilion answered simply.

They rode from Danesse in silence. Gil led, but they rode in a casual formation so the two men in cloaks wouldn't draw attention. Thea had no doubt Rilion was not supposed to be joining them. Whether or not he'd befriended Gaius, and Gaius was now king of Kentoria, everyone knew the cordiality between Ranor and Kentoria was strained. It made their friendship all that much stranger.

“Howdidthe two of you become friends?” Thea asked once they were clear of the city. The sky overhead was clear blue, but pale with the hint of coming winter. Before long, there would be snow on the ground.

“Our fathers once tried to strike an alliance,” Gil said. “Others had tried before, but while Ranor is not outright antagonistic, it's safe to say there's no love between our two countries.”

“King Garren brought the princes in hopes one would strike it off with my sister,” Rilion added. “With the exception of Calem, that was. Calem was already betrothed to the princess of Nylmeres at that point.”

Gil nodded. “Calem stayed behind to oversee things in Kentoria while we were away. Being the youngest, it was unlikely the Ranorsh princess would care to see me at all. I tried to convince my father to leave me behind. He refused.”

“To be honest, my younger sister fancied him a good deal,” Rilion said. “But she was nine, and my father was not looking for an early betrothal. She is still coddled as the baby of the family. On the other end of things, my elder sister is seven years my senior, and I believe we are the same age.” He motioned between Gil and himself.

“I am eleven months older than you,” Gil corrected.

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