Free The Daylight War by Peter V. Brett

down.
    He’ll pull away, I let him
, she thought.
Strong
as
he
is, he can’t do this alone. Got to keep the pace, or I’ll be left behind again next time he’s pulled into the Core.
    ‘Done thinkin’,’ she muttered.
    She held her breath, and put the meat in her mouth.

2
Promise
333 AR Summer
28 Dawns Before New Moon
    R enna woke not long after dawn. Arlen slept peacefully now, and she moved carefully so as not to wake him as she washed the dried gore from her skin.
    With the curtains drawn tight, Renna still felt charged with power, but as soon as she went out into the sunlight, that strength burned away. Shestretched experimentally, seeking some evidence that her disgusting meal had had an effect on her. If there was a change, she couldn’t sense it. Arlen had eaten demon meat exclusively for months to achieve his level of power. Renna’s stomach churned at the thought of even another nibble.
    She moved to the stable, brushing down Twilight Dancer and giving him his morning feed. The stallion looked hale, showing no sign that just two nights ago he had been moments from death. Even his scars were faded things, barely visible.
    When she was done, she went out into the field, harvesting potatoes and vegetables from the wild crop, enough to make a proper breakfast for once. She had it ready when Arlen stumbled into the kitchen looking haggard, as if he hadn’t slept at all.
    ‘Smells like Heaven in here,’ he said.
    ‘Ent got eggs or proper bread, but I caught a rabbit in the fields, so there’s meat,’ Renna said, spooning the stew into a pair of wooden bowls they took out into the taproom.
    When they sat, Arlen looked at his bowl for a moment, then put his head in his hands. ‘Might’ve overdone it last night.’
    Renna snorted. ‘That’s undersaid.’
    Arlen puffed his cheeks and blew out a slow breath. ‘Regrettin’ all that poteen now.’
    ‘Eat,’ Renna ordered. ‘Your stomach will calm with something in it. And best drink all the water you can stand, sweet or not.’ Arlen nodded and soon was eating voraciously, his bowl quickly emptied.
    ‘There any more?’ he asked, and Renna started. She’d been so busy watching him eat, she hadn’t touched her own food.
    ‘Take mine.’ She slid the bowl to him and took his empty one. ‘I’ll get another.’ She was pleased to see his second helping emptied by the time she sat back down.
    ‘Feeling better?’ she asked.
    ‘Feel human,’ Arlen said, a small smile tugging the corner of his mouth. ‘Been a while.’
    ‘Can rest up another day,’ Renna said. ‘Charge you up again tonight.’
    Arlen shook his head. ‘Miles to go today, Ren. Got one stop this afternoon and then it’s straight on to the Hollow fast as we can manage.’
    ‘What stop?’ Renna asked.
    Arlen smiled again, this time wider, with a glitter to his eyes. ‘Need to pick you a proper promise gift.’

    Arlen set a strong pace as they headed down the Messenger road. Renna could see it took a toll on him after a few hours, but he steadfastly refused to ride.
    ‘Dancer needs the rest more’n me,’ he said.
    The sun was well past its high point when they came to a fork in the road and Arlen turned onto the less travelled way, little more than a bridle path heading into the wild hilly plain.
    ‘What’s off this way?’ she asked.
    ‘Rancher I know,’ Arlen said. ‘Owes me a favour.’ Renna waited for more, but nothing was forthcoming.
    It was an hour’s walk before the ranch came in sight. There were three barns, each with its own wards in addition to the posts set around the exercise pen and yard. Wide grazing areas had been warded as well.
    A boy appeared on the roof of the closest barn, holding a short bow with an arrow nocked and pointed at them.
    ‘Whozzat?’ he called.
    Renna crouched at the sight, ready to dodge left or right if the boy should shoot. She gripped the familiar bone handle of her father’s knife, though it would do her no good here. She’d hated