Free Fireblood (Whispers from Mirrowen) by Jeff Wheeler Page A

expression did not change. He had insulted her. How would she respond?
    “The Vaettir I have known have always been gentlemen,” she replied in a silky voice. “But you share only a portion of their blood, by the look of you. Perhaps you are more Aeduan than me?”
    Paedrin kept his face impassive. She fought to draw blood; that much was certain. He attacked her beauty. She attacked his heritage.
Not easily flustered. Good. It was more fun that way.
    “I did not know the Romani were welcome in Silvandom,” he answered. “Where else could you have met enough Vaettir to form such an opinion?”
    “Indeed,” she replied cryptically. She looked at Annon crossly. “We are wasting daylight. This journey should take a fortnight.”
    Annon looked amused. “I will not be sorry to leave Kenatos behind. I never liked it here. To Havenrook then.”
    Paedrin nodded, his eyes never leaving Hettie’s. There were daggers in those eyes.

    By the end of the day, they had crossed leagues of abandoned farmland and reached the fringe of the mountain forests of Alkire. Hawks swooped and soared overhead, and Paedrin longed to join them. He was tempted to suck in his breath and float upward, but he was saving that grace to impress Annon and Hettie later. His sandals dangled from the fabric belt. Walking the cobblestone streets of Kenatos had raised calluses on his feet, and the soft earth and prairie grasses were velvety in comparison. He was amazed at the various forms of life throughout the land—dazzling butterflies zigzagging in the air, curious rodents peeping from holes and gawking at them, and the buzz and drone of bees in their hives. Each was a fascination to Paedrin. The air was crisp and fresh, so different than the soot-filled skies over Kenatos. It was also so very quiet compared to Kenatos—unnervingly so. The huff of their breath as they walked, the chuff of Annon’s and Hettie’s boots. The constant murmur and roar of the city was long gone. Its absence was noticeable.
    They set up camp within the shelter of the woods, Annon and Hettie both working side by side to put up a ring of stones and gather brushwood for a fire. Paedrin was at a loss for what to do, so he separated from them slightly and began practicing some of the complex forms he had learned in the Bhikhu temple. He did Five Animals and Five Elements along with Snapping Crane. Each was a series of intricate moves, which, if broken down into the parts, could be used to fight or subdue one man or many men. It was like a dance. A dangerous dance.
    The crackle of flames alerted him that the fire was starting to take. He turned and saw Hettie was gone. Annon fed chips of wood into the growing fire.
    “Where did she go?”
    The Druidecht looked up from the fire, glanced around, and then continued the motion. “There is a warren of rabbits back the way we came. She is going to kill one for dinner.”
    Paedrin’s stomach twisted. “I do not eat meat.”
    Annon shrugged. “I noticed some mushrooms and gathered them. There are also different forms of bark, depending on how hungry you are.”
    “I brought my own food,” Paedrin said. “Shouldn’t we be going with her?”
    Annon looked up at him, curious. “Whatever for?”
    “Your uncle wanted me to protect her.”
    “From wild rabbits?”
    “I do not know these woods,” Paedrin said, glancing around warily.
    “Nothing will approach us unaware, Paedrin. I’ve seen to that already.”
    “What do you mean? This is a forest. Any form of creature may be lurking here.”
    “We share these woods with many kinds of creatures. Not just rabbits and foxes. They know we are here and have granted us safe passage. Should anything threaten us, we will be warned first. As I said, we have no need to worry.”
    Paedrin looked at him quizzically. “What you say makes no sense to me. I have been with you the entire time. What agreement could you have made?”
    Annon smiled. “It is Druidecht, my friend. Just trust me.