Page 71 of The Prince's Fealty

Tor wondered if this meant that Nostex had nothing to do with any of this—or if he was just too good at hiding his tracks. It would likely occasion comment if the border were suddenly being carefully scrutinized.

Nevertheless, they went over the bridge as twilight was setting in and they were less likely to be easily observed (but not at full dark which might have been viewed as suspicious if someonewaswatching). They skirted Fila entirely, heading south where the land was forested.

Tor was still itching to get to Ada in Lotar, but he knew it would be foolish not to investigate while he was here. They were all helmeted and ready with a story of heading to Lotar for Prince Bavil of Tond if they were questioned, and otherwise, they were trying to ride as casually as possible while actually bristling with tension.

Finally, they decided to set up camp for the night. That was a perfectly reasonable thing for people to do, after all, and if it happened to give them a place from which to easily sneak out and surveil the castle, that wasn’t something they would advertise.

Three hoots like a barred owl cut through the air as they made their way through the forest, and Tor catalogued the call automatically.Unknowns approaching.

He checked himself. Or perhaps it was just a barn owl settling into the forest for the night?

But… his group was approaching just the place that he’d determined they should set up for the night.

He tugged off his helmet and brought his hands up to make the nut hatch’s call followed by one hoot.Stand down. Friends.

Beluna, Denil, Cavun, and Pel had all turned to look at him. Pel had an arrow nocked because he was smart like that, and Beluna had her hand on her sword.

There was a rustle ahead of them, and a figure appeared, scarcely visible in the gathering dark. Tor was leaping off his horse before he even recognized what he was doing, and striding forward to fling himself into his best friend’s arms even as cries of alarm went up.

“For the goddess’s sake, Tor, everyone told me you were dead!” Rin was squeezing him so hard that for a moment, Tor couldn’t breathe. He hugged the man back just as hard, relishing the crushing embrace.

Tor had absolutely no idea why his best friend was in the forests of Filon instead of in Vayrin or back in Alossa, but he didn’t care. Finding a friendly face here at a moment when Tor basically didn’t know who to trust or what to believe was the most amazing surprise.

Reluctantly pulling back, Tor asked, “What are you doing here?”

“What amIdoing here?” Rin demanded, sounding incredulous. “What areyoudoing here? I’ve spent days thinking you weredead.What in the name of the goddess is going on?”

Melody interrupted them, pushing forward to nudge his face into Rin’s chest hard enough to send him back a step.

Tor grinned, unable to help himself. “Would you believe that it’s a really long story?”

Rin laughed even as he began to pet Melody, displaying his biceps. They really were impressive, but Pel’s proportions were more pleasing to Tor these days.

To the horse, Rin said, “Yes, yes, I’m a terrible person. It’s so good to see you again! I’m sorry I was gone for so long.” To Tor, he added, “Yes, I would definitely believe it’s a long story. All right, come back to camp. Everyone will want to see you.”

They all dismounted and followed Rin to where a camp had been set up. There were a couple of tents, a picket for the horses, and more people than Tor expected, including—

Tor rushed over to Pamuna, who immediately started crying when she saw him. Her dark hair was tied back in a braid, and her skin was too pale. He wrapped her up in a hug even as he demanded urgently, “Is Cala all right?”

Pamuna was sobbing now, but thankfully, Nawila stepped up to them and assured him, “She’s fine. I found Pama, and got both of them to your brother.”

Something coiled tight inside of Tor abruptly relaxed. He hadn’t allowed himself to consider any other possibility, but that wasn’t the same asknowingthat his favorite baby was alive and well.

“Thank the goddess,” Tor breathed.

“But Torex.” Nawila was looking at him with confused awe. “It was after your shield went blood red and burst. How are you here?”

Pamuna was still clinging to him, and Tor continued to pat her back and try to soothe her.

“It’s a really long story,” he admitted ruefully. “That I would definitely like to share with everyone. Uh, Pamuna, not trying to be rude or anything, but do you think you could sob all over Nawila instead of me?”

She sniffed and pulled away from him, her cheeks pink. “I’m so sorry.”

Pel kicked him in the leg, and Tor grimaced. Nawila came to slip an arm around Pamuna, who settled comfortably against her.

“No, hey, that came out wrong. Obviously, I’m always delighted to have women clinging to me.”

Pel kicked him harder, and Tor cleared his throat. “No, wait, that came out wrong, too.”