Across from Kai, Sterling had frozen in place, her mouth open in an ‘oh’ of surprise. He’d suspected the driver had known about his extra passengers, but apparently his sister had believed the story of rats the man had sold to the city guards.
Kai stood, legs complaining from the awkward position he’d needed to hide, and jumped from the back of the wagon. The city gates were a speck in the distance, and the road around them was thankfully empty.
Sterling scrambled down after him, tripping over her bag and weapons in her rush.
“Ah, there you are,” a middle-aged man with deep brown skin lined from his time in the sun greeted them while Kai helped Sterling regain her feet.
He appeared harmless enough, carrying no weapon that Kai could see.
“What are we doing?” Sterling hissed, tugging on his sleeve. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Hold on a moment,” Kai told her. To the man, he said, “Thank you for not ratting us out to the guard.”
The man’s eyes widened, and then he chuckled. “Oh, you’re a funny one. Name’s Jeb.” He extended a hand.
“Kaimana.” He grasped Jeb’s hand in a firm shake.
“Kaimana, huh? Never heard a name like that. You aren’t from around here, are you?”
“You could say that.” From what Kai could tell, the man didn’t have an ulterior motive. He was just friendly.
“And who might you be?” Jeb asked, extending a hand to Sterling.
She took it reluctantly and gave her name.
“Oh, that’s a pretty one. I have a daughter around your age.”
“Is that why you helped us?” Sterling cut in before the man could ramble on.
Kai frowned at her. She didn’t sound grateful for the rescue, only annoyed.
“Ah, no. More like anything I can do to thwart that no good king. I guessed you must be the ones that’s got the city all in a stir with the crown looking for you and whatnot.”
“Perhaps,” Kai said, studying him with new eyes. Jeb might be more useful to them than he’d first thought.
“I heard something about bringing the palace down around the king’s ears. Any truth to that?”
Kai was ready to give another non-answer, but Sterling spoke up first.
“I may have taken out a few bits of the ceiling in the receiving hall.” She stuck her chin out, head held high in challenge. It was a far cry from the way she’d looked after the incident—terrified, like she might lose control again.
Jeb chuckled, showing no hint of the usual fear humans displayed when hearing about something that could have only been accomplished through magic. “Tiny little thing like you? Well, no wonder they’re offering a hundred thousand gold pieces for you.”
Kai had only a vague idea of how much money that was in the human world, but the way Sterling’s eyes popped open and the color drained from her face, he understood it was a large amount. A very large amount.
“And this does not interest you?” Kai asked Jeb. His hands hung loosely at his sides, where he could easily pull his blade free if he needed.
Jeb waved him away. “I’m not after any of the king’s rotten gold. Besides, that kind of money can only attract trouble. How long do you think a farmer like me could hold on to it? No, I don’t want any part of that.”
He appeared to be genuine.
“Thank you again for your kindness,” Kai said. “I would offer you something in return, but we have a paltry sum compared to what the king is offering.” Kai dug into his bag to retrieve the coins they’d collected on their journey.
“Don’t you worry about that. I don’t need anything from you. If you’re headed that way,” Jeb jerked his thumb over his shoulder in the opposite direction of the city, “I’d be happy to give you a ride as far as my farm.”
“I appreciate it. We had to leave our horse behind, and I’m not sure where we’re off to next.”
“In that case, you’re welcome to stay for a few days if you need to lie low. I could always use more hands with the farm work and it should take a while before the king’s dogs make it all the way out.”
Kai could feel Sterling staring hard at him, but whatever she had to say, she didn’t want to do it in front of Jeb. She likely didn’t want him to accept Jeb’s offer. He knew she’d rather set off on their own, preferably for the portal or wherever she thought she might locate her necromancer friend. Neither of which were good options. He’d been charged with keeping her safe and he’d already done a piss-poor job of it. He could not let anything else happen to her.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“I think we’ll take you up on that,” Kai finally said, “as long as it doesn’t bring you any trouble.” They might not be able to find much in the way of the missing people by hiding out on a farm, but Sterling’s safety came first. He was sure Seraiah would make the same choice. They’d stay only a few days until he came up with something better, or they heard from Seraiah and Kestrel. The two of them should have been well across the portal by now.
“No, no. No trouble at all,” Jeb said. “Come ride up front with me on the bench, and we’ll be on our way. I was only teasing about there being rats in my grain, but I’m sure it isn’t too comfortable to be bouncing around back there.”
“More comfortable than the city cells, I’m sure,” Kai said. With Sterling’s glare burning into his back, Kai followed the man to the front of the wagon.
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The whole ride to the farm, Jeb kept up a steady stream of chatter. Kai responded politely while Sterling slouched next to him on the bench. She couldn't care less about all the produce Jeb grew and how the farm had been passed down for several generations and the cities where he sold the products of his farm. None of that mattered, and they could’ve been well on their way to leaving the human lands by now.
It’s what they should have done with the price on their heads. It would take more than a few days for anyone to give up the hunt with that kind of money on the line. She’d warned Kai it would be like this.
She knew she was right, and that the only way they’d be free of it would be if they crossed the portal. Like Kai had pointed out, mages might use the portals, but they wouldn’t be stupid enough to get themselves tangled up with the king when it could easily be their necks on the line. Besides, Sterling had a feeling Gavaran still wanted her alive. If the mages were working for him, they wouldn’t be handing her over to a different king.
If only she could make Kai understand this.
By the time the farm came into view, Sterling was itching to jump from the wagon and run in the opposite direction. Then Jeb said the first interesting thing since she’d met him.
"I want to warn you. My daughter has some . . . special talents. She’s no witch, mind you, that girl would never hurt a fly, but they’re unnatural abilities."
"What sort of special talents?" Sterling asked. Maybe she was one of the mages. Maybe she would know how to contact others, and Sterling could still find Ren. Then he could help her convince Kai to leave this world behind.
"Well, you see, she can move things." Jeb gestured vaguely with his hands, as though she were supposed to understand what that meant.
Sterling quirked a brow. "And how is that a special talent exactly? I'm sure most people can move things."
Kai poked her in the side with his elbow, giving her a sidelong look. She ignored him. It wasn’t as if she’d asked a rude question. Jeb was the one who’d brought it up and made a big deal about it.
"What I mean to say is she can move things without touching them."
"I see." She’d never heard of anyone with such an ability. Then again, she hadn’t realized it was possible to raise the dead, and she’d seen Ren do that with her own eyes.
"If the crown were to ever find out . . ." Jeb trailed off.
"They would hunt her like they’re hunting us?" Kai guessed. The corners of his mouth were pulled down in a frown again. It was an expression Sterling had become very familiar with.
"Yes," Jeb said. "I’ve heard there’s a group that takes children like her and hides them away, but I couldn’t bear to part with her. She’s the only piece of my wife I have left. Maybe it is wrong of me, and she would have a better life with them."
"No," Sterling said with enough force that both Jeb and Kai stared at her. She couldn’t help it. She had a feeling the group he was speaking of was the same group of mages Ren had belonged to. He’d mentioned once they’d taken him in as a child, and she hadn’t gotten the impression that he’d enjoyed it. While Jeb handing over his daughter to them might give Sterling a way to connect with Ren, she couldn’t wish that sort of life on someone.
"Whatever you do,” she said, “no matter if the king comes after your daughter, you protect her. Do not give her over to those people. Do not give her to anyone, no matter what they promise you. If you care for your daughter, as you say, you have to protect her. Do you understand?"
Jeb nodded. "I will try my best."
"Good." If Jeb had questions about what Sterling knew or why she was so vehemently against the group, he didn’t ask them. For the first time on their journey, he was silent as he guided the mules to a nearby barn.
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Later that night, as they settled into their borrowed room, Sterling ambushed her brother.
"How long are we staying here?"
"As long as we need," Kai said, avoiding her gaze.
“And then what? What’s the plan? I’m ready to leave tomorrow.”
“I’m working on it.”
“We’re only a few days from the portal, right? Maybe Jeb has a horse we can buy off him.”
“No.”
Sterling propped her hands on her hips. “No what? No, he doesn’t have a horse? How would you know? Have you seen the inside of the barns?”
“No, we are not going to the portal.”
“You may not be, but I will.”
Kai’s eyes finally snapped to her. “We’ve been over this. It isn’t safe for you.”
“Nowhere is truly safe for me. Crossing the portal is the only way to ensure I stay out of Berenger’s grasp and aren’t endangering other people like Jeb and his daughter.”
“No.”
“You’re being ridiculous. If you want to stay here for the rest of your life,” she threw up her hands, “by all means, stay here, but I am going. I have my magic now, and there is nothing you can do to stop me.” She knew she sounded like a child throwing a tantrum, but he was being so stubborn and unreasonable. Why couldn’t he understand this was the safest way?
“Where exactly will you go?” Kai’s voice was low and dangerous in a way she’d never heard before. “Will you storm Nyrene and take it back alone? You know nothing about that world and the enemies we are facing.”
"Which is why you should come with me."
They stared at each other, neither wanting to back down. Unfortunately for Kai, Sterling could be just as stubborn and had plenty of practice in winning fights with Seraiah. She would not let this go, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Kai sighed and turned away from her. "Give me two days."
Sterling grinned at his back. It wasn’t exactly what she wanted, but it was close enough. "Fine," she said. "Two days and then I am leaving, with or without you."