Free Fireborn Champion by AB Bradley Page B

guess.”
    “We’re from nowhere important.”
    “Oh, a mystery? Well, now I can’t go anywhere until I’ve solved it.”
    If this was what he could expect from women, he didn’t know if he would like it. Frustration balled a tight knot in his chest. “I’d like to keep my life a mystery if it’s all the same. Have a good day, Ayska Masrari.” He turned from her and interlaced his fingers on the table, staring at the bar where Sander haggled with the owner.
    Her stare weighed on him. She lingered in her seat when she needed to leave. No matter how beautiful she looked, he didn’t need some irritating criminal or huckster or whatever she was dogging them.  
    “The alarm bells they use here are very interesting,” she said. “They have special padding on them. The sound still travels, but it isn’t loud enough to disturb the ice. That’s Ormhild’s weakness. A fleet full of brass bells could very well topple the unconquerable city. Tell me, my friend, did those bells ring for you today?”
    Iron’s cheeks warmed. He pressed his hands tighter against the table. He could reach his sword if she called the guards, but by then, the whole inn would swarm them. He might even have to kill her. He’d never murdered before. The thought sickened him, and he found himself wanting to go home more than ever.
    “I hate this place,” he mumbled.
    “I’m no fan of it either. It’s cold, people smell…” Ayska leaned in and swatted his arm. “…There’re a hundred ways to say snow in Skaard and no word for bath.” She winked and leaned back. “Luckily, I’ve got a solution to your problems.”
    He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She pursed her lips and waited. When he didn’t reply, she sighed. “Will you at least tell me your name?”
    “Iron,” he blurted, immediately regretting that he did.
    “An odd name, but I’m glad you’ve given it to me. Listen, Iron, I’m not your enemy, but if what I heard was—”  
    “What did you hear?” He shot her an angry glare. “What. Did. You. Hear?”
    “Ease up, little bay gull. I heard you talking about the alp, and it caught my attention since I happen to know they’re on their way to Ormhild as we speak.”
    Iron’s eyes widened. No small part of him wanted to see the demons of the Second Sun firsthand. Then again, he’d wanted to see the wolves and look where that got him. By the way Sander spoke of them, the wolves were the preferable enemies.  
    “They’re really coming here?”
    “They’ll be here any day now, led by the king’s hound, Caspran Bilshabel.” She crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow. “Wasn’t sure what they were searching for when I heard the news, but now I think I know it’s not what they hunt, but who. I’m here for a weapon to stop the king, but I guess I might’ve picked up a couple passengers instead. The Six work in mysterious ways.”
    “You can’t tell anyone. Please, don’t raise the alarm.”
    “I’m no friend of that slime heretic. In fact, you can count yourself lucky you found me. Tell your babysitter that you’ve secured a way to open sea, but if you want safe passage, we’ve got to go now.”
    “But the guards—”
    “Aren’t priests of the Loyal Father. They won’t be walking on water to catch us, and I swear on the Six there’s no vessel on the Sapphire Sea faster than my Scarlet Widowmaker , certainly not one of those Skaard rafts they try and pass for seafaring vessels.”
    “Who is this?” Sander demanded. Iron hadn’t notice his master approach. Now the man stood behind her, clutching a mug dripping foam on the floor.
    “Her name’s Ayska Masrari. She says the alp are coming. She says unless we go with her, we’re dead men. She also called you my babysitter. I don’t like her very much.”
    Sander cocked a grin and faced the woman. “Looks like we’ve found ourselves a pretty little gem here, haven’t we? You’ll have to beg a thousand of my pardons, but there’s no