Page 30 of Songs of Retribution

Dark clouds pressedover the sky as we approached the elf capital, Jökulheim. It sat tucked in the valley of a mountain, the ground rocky as our carriage rattled over it. Massive wood and stone walls rose like discolored teeth. Watch towers were built regularly along it, and I could feel those who sat tucked in their shadows watching the road and what it might bring.

Shadows called to me constantly, like a whisper. If I had other magic, I hadn't figured it out yet. If I could get a zevar perhaps I might discover more magic within myself. We hadn't had time to travel west and visit the Naga to secure one, though. Shadow magic seemed like breathing. It was a struggle not to give into it. How did the others handle their magic so gracefully? Of course, they’d grown up with it. Except for Shaan. Perhaps his magic burbled and itched and begged to unleash as well.

I'd sent my last letter to Elisa already and had brushed my fingers carefully over the words of her reply. She was enjoying cake at the Froh palace while we trundled right into the heart of a fortress. It was the first time I'd felt good about leaving her since I'd made the decision—agreed to her decision, more accurately. We moved into a realm where thrushes didn't work. The elves had strong warding magic, and they kept their entire realm wrapped under one.

Orman's shoulder bumped into mine. We rode in a small, two-person carriage with massive wheels that was designed for speed over comfort. I was ready to get out and stretch, but the city ahead made me uneasy. It was made of enormous logs topped with crimson flags that smacked in the wind.

"S'pose nows the time to mention a minor detail," Orman said.

I turned towards him. "That would be?"

"I'm probably going to get arrested once we reach the city."

My mouth gaped. "What kind of fucking minor detail is that?"

He shrugged, his posture remaining easy as the breeze rustled the cloak he'd donned that morning as we made our way higher in the mountains. He kept his gaze on the trickle of foot traffic and a handful of elves riding massive horses with braided manes through the open city gates. "Just mind that you have your magic if you need to escape and you can get word back to the Prasanna, whatever happens."

His voice had turned more serious, and it made my heart leap. "Do you mind me asking what you did?"

Orman's eyes darkened, his jaw jumping. For a moment, I didn't think he'd answer, then he released a breath. "You ever nabbed something you weren't supposed to and got caught?"

"Once or twice." Early in my thieving I had. I'd received a cane across my knuckles and refused to cry even as my eyes stung as sharply as my fists.

Orman grunted. "Then you understand."

"But the elves didn't punish you?"

His lips formed into a thin line. "I s'pose if you don't count excommunication as a punishment." He drank in the city as we grew closer, the flags’ ripples, lazy trails of smoke rising from chimneys, and the bustle of those moving around it all. "The elves have seven leaders, y'know?"

"Right." I think I'd heard that before, though honestly, I knew little of elf culture.

"I crossed one of 'em, and he told me if I left and never came back, he'd release me from my punishment out of respect for my service paid to our country."

"And if you come back?"

Orman sucked air over his teeth. "He'll probably call for my execution."

"Orman!" I yelled and someone near us looked over for a moment.

He elbowed me hard enough that some of my concern and sympathy flitted away. "Come on, mate, you're making the end of this journey miserable."

"You'd rather face death than talk about facing death?"

He cocked his head to the side and burst into a laugh. "Actually, yes. That suits me fine."

"I thought you said you'd make sure we made it back for my wedding."

The humor in his eyes drained away. "Nah, mate. I promised I'd have you back."

"You came here planning to die?" I longed to punch him then cross the continent again and do the same to Sai. He'd known something about Orman and I'd never pushed him on it. I respected Sai letting us all keep our histories private, but I didn't know I'd be delivering Orman to his death.

"I ain't planning to die," he said. "Perhaps the years have softened Sigurdur and he'll let the past keep itself." Orman straightened as he guided the horses onto the main path that led into the city. "Either way, I've been lucky enough to find something worth dying for in the last few years."

He met my eyes, and I swallowed. I couldn't argue. I'd willingly spent my human life to spare Sai, and I'd do it again. Even if I was currently so pissed at him, I'd gladly throttle him. Orman was right, though. The future the Prasanna fought for was a cause worth dying for. However, I couldn't let Orman meet that fate here. I groaned as we passed through the gates.

The elves were all tall with broad shoulders and dark skin. They wore their hair in braids with engraved silver beads and long leather jackets that buttoned in the back with a thick layer across the chest that must have been for armor. Dark tattoos zigzagged across bulged biceps and rained down cheeks or chins on some.

Orman looked nothing like the others in the city. In fact, he appeared more Prasanna with his short beard and silk shirt and cloak. He stiffened beside me, and I felt bad that I'd only added to the tension. I hadn't forgotten how he'd treated me after Elisa had fallen from the cliff with Lennox. He'd made my comfort the priority even though he faced his own concerns and exhaustion.

---