While the High Priestess helped Kindra drink the tea, Gar excused himself from the Odion tent to find his brother. He wasn't sure what he would say when he did, but he knew Pike was in a lot of trouble over this. Attacking an Odion—and an unarmed Odion at that—was a deep offense to Eoin.

He found Pike leaving the village by the southern path, with a bag slung over his shoulder, the sword Gar gave him on his hip, and a spear in hand.

"Where are you going?"

Pike turned and glanced around hastily, like a cornered animal. One eye was discolored and swelling, but that was the only sign of the fight. "I'm leaving."

"It's too late in the year."

He shrugged and hefted the bag so it would rest on his shoulder better. His gaze would only stay on Gar for a moment as he looked for some trap. "I'm not going to stay just so they can…” He stopped and glared at the tents. "Just so they can kick me out."

"They won't kick you out. I'm sure she provoked you, just apologize.”

"Apologize?" Pike finally looked at him, anger clear on his face. "I'm not going to apologize. She punched me."

"I'm sure she did.”

"No." Pike slammed the end of his spear into the ground. "You don't get it. You're blinded to her faults because of her father."

Gar's fingers began to clench into a fist. "Her father has nothing to do with this."

"Yes he does!" Pike ran a hand through his greasy hair. "You helped her through training because of your guilt. Every day after practice, you met with her in the woods to go over this stance, or that attack. Maybe if it had been our father who died you would have helped me instead."

Gar was taken aback by that. "You…didn't need the help."

"I was beat by a girl on my first day of practice! And you laughed at me!" Pike clenched his teeth together and breathed heavily through his nose. "And then you offered to help her."

Of course Gar laughed at him—Kindra had bested Gar many times as children too. It was all fair play. He had no idea his brother would take it so personally. "No one else was going to help her."

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"Because she shouldn't be a warrior! I don't care who her father is—no girl should be a warrior. It's demeaning to be beat by a girl."

"She's a good warrior. It's not demeaning to be bested by someone who fights well."

The look Pike turned on him was full of betrayal. "It's worse than demeaning, and now it’s you who’s been bested by her. You want me to stay so I can be punished for this, but I'm not being punished for putting her in her place. I should have killed her while I had the chance. Someday I’ll come back and finish the job."

He spit on the ground and Gar crossed his arms. He couldn’t believe Pike’s hatred could extend so far as to hurt Kindra over something so small. "If you come back with the intent to kill her, I’ll stop you. Brother or no."

A slow, ugly smile spread across Pike's face. "Then you finally understand. Brother or no, you chose her." He lifted the spear from the ground and dusted off the point before looking at Gar again. "Eoin curse your battles, Liam Bayn, and Trina curse your bed. We are brothers no more."

He hiked his bag again as he began walking south. Gar watched him go with a sinking heart.

#

Gar's footsteps were staccato as he walked back to Kindra's tent, still reeling from his brother's words. My brother cursed me, he thought. My own brother. And he’d promised to end Kindra's life. She was helpless right now, and if Gar could help it, he wouldn't leave her side until he knew Pike was well out of Camden Valley. The trails would be impassable with snow soon; they wouldn't need to worry about him returning until spring.

"Aleda, help him find a place to live before the snows come. Keep him healthy and safe, and give him time to think on what he has done." The prayer was said under Gar’s breath, and he made a sign of blessing before entering Kindra's tent.

Monk had been called in his absence and sat on Kaye's cot so he wouldn't get in the way. He looked at Gar, his gaze serious but not worried. The High Priestess put a poultice over Kindra's shoulder, and a matching smear of it covered her chin already. One eye was swollen completely shut and her bruises had darkened. To anyone other than a warrior, she would look close to death, but he could see the color in her skin, a healthy pink that those in serious trouble did not have.

With a nod to Monk towards the door, Gar excused them both. When they were out, he leaned close, not wanting the High Priestess to hear. "Pike left, but I want you to track him and make sure he's not coming back. He's sworn to be the death of her, and she can't protect herself right now."

Monk nodded and Gar entered the tent. The High Priestess was packing her things, leaving a bowl of salve and herbs for the tea. She smiled as she stood, and he bowed. Then she was out, and he was alone with Kindra.

"How do you feel?" he asked as he sat on the cot.

"Fine," she rasped, her eyes closed.

A smile pulled at his lips despite everything. "Of course you are." He put his hand over hers and watched her chest move shallowly. If he didn't speak for a few moments, she would fall asleep, but he wanted her to hear about his brother first.

"Pike left. He won’t be allowed to enter Camden again."

"Good," she said, and he could hear the energy it cost her to speak. "I hope he rots."

Gar patted her hand. "Go to sleep, Kindra. I'll be here if you need me."

He didn't have to say anything. She was already drifting into an herb-induced slumber.