“You realize you could be dead right now. Why did you ride off like you did?” Keegan demanded saving Ronan from having to grill the boy about what prompted his actions.
“Ahearn and I agreed that we should protect Sir Culley,” Arien answered.
“You agreed? And how did you manage that?” Keegan crossed his arms but Ronan was looking at the horse the boy spoke of. He remembered how Ahearn had come to him, as if the animal had read his thoughts. Perhaps Ahearn had more magic gifts that Keegan Yore knew of.
“It was just an understanding,” Arien offered the explanation with a shrug.
“But more important than that,” Ronan interrupted before Keegan could question the boy further, turning to face Ula. “Exactly where does your loyalty lay? That was some display of power, woman. One that you hid from us.”
Ula met his gaze. “I want the sword to go to Merisgale just as you do.” Her eyes spoke sincerity but Ronan had to be certain.
“But that which you did teetered closely on the verge of dark magic.” Ronan would not allow her to slip past the question. “Speak honestly with me now or I will leave you here.”
Ula’s shoulder’s drooped and she suddenly looked defeated. “I did not wish to tell you. I feared you would not believe me. I am able to use both magics…”
“Like a wizard?” Ronan pressed. Part of him wished to offer the woman encouragement but he knew it was time for the truth, to answer the questions that had filled both his and Keegan’s minds.
“Or like a demon,” Keegan added.
“Like someone with a choice. I have made mine. Yesterday was merely a show; something to throw off those that hurt the boy. I feared he would die if I did not get to him soon enough.”
“You did not use the magic of the dark forces?” Ronan crossed his arms and Ula winced.
“Perhaps just a bit of it for the effect. But you need not fear me, Ronan Culley. I do not want the sword to go anywhere but to the wizard who is to be our King.”
“Sir Culley,” Arien corrected and she nodded.
“Sir Culley,” she amended.
Ronan studied her for a long moment, considering her words. If she had wanted the sword, she could have taken it at any time. Any of them could have. And she had saved Arien. Finally, he nodded that he was satisfied with her words. He knew about secrets, especially ones that could bring others to judge a person. She’d been protecting herself. He could not slight her for defending herself.
“Keep that darkness of yours under control. I warn you, witch. Or I will do what I must.” Ronan watched her bow her head in submission to his command.
“And what do we do about the centaurs?” Keegan asked and the other two looked at Ronan expectantly. So they had slept knowing that the enemy was still close, trusting the blacksmith to care for them. And the horseman was not going to argue with his decision to keep Ula with them. He said he did not follow but Ronan had noticed he was doing so more and more.
It wasn’t right, Ronan thought to himself as he looked at each of them. He was no leader. Keegan was more equipped to lead. Ronan made weapons so that people like Keegan Yore could wield them. But Ronan had been ready to use the King’s Sword if had to protect them. That fact had itched at Ronan’s mind during the night. The truth, one that he had vowed never to admit aloud, was that he had been angry when Arien swiped the sword. It had felt like something that was his had been taken.
Ronan shook his head, clearing his thoughts. “We do nothing but push on to Fullerk. I doubt they will give us much trouble until we start out again. I have a plan…”
“A plan?” Keegan echoed, seeming both surprised and amused. “A blacksmith with a sword and a plan sounds like a dangerous combination.”
Ronan’s beard bunched as he smiled. “It was a long night and I put it to use.” He accepted the dried meat Ula passed out to each of them and took a bite. “Yes, I have a plan. So, for now we must just push on and get safely to Fullerk.”
“I like that part of the plan,” Arien said and Ula gave his hand a squeeze as she settled at his side again. Ronan liked her this way, not looking like a demon woman who could change the weather. But she had been frightened that Arien would die and people react differently when afraid than at any other moment. All three of them had bared teeth and claws, each in their own way; though he had made a mental note not to ever back the woman into a corner. She could be the most dangerous of all.
“I’d like to hear the rest.” Keegan waited.
“We’ll discuss it in Fullerk. The trees seem to have ears,” Ronan answered and Ahearn snorted as if in agreement.
“Before we leave, let me look at that cut.” Ula moved from Arien’s side and stepped toward Ronan, her dark eyes lifting to the wound above his brow.
“It’s nothing.” Ronan ducked his head but her fingers gripped his chin as if he were a child and with surprising strength pulled his face forward.
“It is infected.” She frowned deeply and Ronan marveled at the lines of her leathery face. “I’ll need to rub the rat foot on it.”
“What?” Ronan started to jerk away but saw the dance in her eyes. She was only jesting with him. Arien snorted with laughter and even Keegan chuckled.
“Sit still. I’ll just need to put a bit of salve on it.” She retrieved a small bottle from within her dress.
“Where do you keep all these things?” Ronan growled as she unscrewed the lid and dipped her finger into the yellowed salve.
“One has to be prepared.” The salve was cool. She used her fingers to dab the ointment into his wound. It stung a bit but Ronan allowed her to do what she wanted.
“This isn’t some concoction you’ve come up with made with dark magic is it?” he jibed and she smiled without lowering her eyes from the cut.
“If it was, you would already be dead.” Her smile widened when he grunted. “It’s made of cow urine.” Ronan made a face and she laughed as she let her hand fall from his face. Ronan realized it was the first time she’d ever laughed. And odd sound that was cracked and a bit grating, but Ronan enjoyed the sound of it. It proved she was not all darkness and evil.
“It will kill the infection,” she told him moving away.
“Maybe the two of you could share a room once we get to Fullerk,” Keegan murmured lowly. “Perhaps that is the next step of your plan.”
“If it were I’d be too scared the rat foot would play a part in the experience.” Ronan shook his head, watching Ula. No, he knew the feelings he had for the woman. It couldn’t be helped. She had that nature about her that filled a part of his heart that had been left empty. There was no way to deny it.
Ula seemed to know that was her place in his life. She’d stepped into the role just as naturally as if she’d always been with Ronan. He was too smart to feel such tenderness, especially after what he witnessed the day before. But Ronan could do nothing to change his heart.
By first light they were well on their way. Ronan noticed that Ahearn kept looking back at him. He wondered if the horse was trying to tell him something. But he hadn’t the same gift the horse had. He could not read his thoughts.
“What?” He finally said aloud causing the others to look back at him. Ahearn snorted again, and turned his eyes forward.
Fiona knew it had to happen. She dreaded it, but knew it couldn’t be avoided. It had been her only reservation about accepting this mission. She glanced around the road but there were no other travelers, no one to witness the act, to judge her for what she must do. Sighing, she stepped toward the trees. The branches irritated her skin but still she stepped deeper.
The first pain hit her only moments later. She forced her attention on regulating her breathing. She knew not to panic. Keep calm. Breathe deeply.
Then the second pain hit. Why did it have to be so painful? Life can’t be easy, child. Easy makes us lazy. The memory of her grandmother’s wisdom found her through the third contraction and eased some of the ache.