Page 110 of Cycle Keeper’s Shadow

“I found something,” Wren said, grinning despite herself. “Might be the perfect friend for you. Just…don’t eat him.”

Garin frowned. “Not sure we need another mouth to feed.” Then, suspiciously, “Eat him?”

She guided his hand open and set the tiny weight in his palm. He tapped the staff against the ground, sensing it. His brows lifted.

“A morel? Out here? Been a long time since I had one of these.”

“No!” Wren swatted his arm. “Do. Not. Eat. Him.”

Garin tilted his head, running rough fingers over the spongy cap, examining it carefully. The creature squeaked, and he nearly dropped it. “Ah, well then. For a second, I thought you’d brought me a crumb of food.” The sporeling perked at the word, raising its bread stub in agreement.

“I think he likes food as much as you. Don’t you, Crumb?” Wren grinned, tickling the pointed top of the cap with the tip of her finger.

“Crumb,” Garin echoed, softer this time. His thumb brushed the cap once more, and the little thing leaned into the touch with a low hum.

“All right. Won’t eat you. But I’m busy, so you’ll need to mind yourself while I take care of a few things.”

He tucked the sporeling into a fold of his collar, where it nestled contentedly, still sucking on its scrap of bread. Garin walked away grumbling about another thing to look after, but when Wren turned away, he slipped a morsel of cheese from his pocket toward the waiting cap.

Nearby, Orzen was hauling the carcasses one by one, tossing them into the brush. Tommick trailed after him, stick in hand, eyes wide. He jabbed one of the corpses. When it didn’t move, he kicked it hard. The legs twitched as it flopped a few feet away, and he yelped, stumbling back.

Orzen chuckled. “Keep at it. You’ll get stronger.” He hooked the twitching body by one leg and flung it into the trees.

Tommick’s grin flashed brighter. He charged another and gave a heroic kick. The creature barely moved. Tommick laughed like he’d toppled a giant.

Branwynn came up beside Orzen, brushing dirt from her stained skirts. “I’d like to help forage,” she said quietly. Her eyes flicked toward her son, who was still sneaking glances at Orzen, pretending he wasn’t hanging on her every word.

“I don’t mean to impose, but…he’s taken to you. Would you watch him while we’re gone?” Tommick peered at the two of them like the answer mattered more than they knew.

“Boy’s no trouble,” Orzen said. “He’ll be safe with me.”

Branwynn bent toward Tommick. When she tried to kiss his head, he squirmed away. “Ma, stop. I’m fine.”

Her brows pinched, a look of concern in her eyes, but she simply nodded and said, “I love you, dear.”

“Knights let their mothers kiss them, you know,” Orzen said, matter-of-fact, as he hurled another screecher into the undergrowth.

Tommick blinked. “No they don’t.” He gave Orzen a look of disbelief. “Do you?”

Orzen shrugged. “Would if she were alive.”

The boy froze, gaze darting between Orzen and his mother. Then his face softened, and he turned into his mother’s arms at last, mumbling that he loved her too. She cuddled him close, kissing his hair without protest this time. When she let go, she gave Orzen a grateful nod and slipped off toward the others.

Wren slung her satchel over her shoulder, stealing one last look back. Tommick was already following Orzen through the clearing like a duckling trailing after its mother. She loved the boy for that same stubborn innocence. It warmed her to know someone saw the same goodness in him.

A harsh caw split the quiet.

Watcher dove into the clearing, his singular white feather flashing in the sunlight. Hope on dark wings.

Orzen stiffened like he’d been struck. “Gods above, not more birds.” As the raven shot toward her, he brandished his sword like he was prepared to skewer Watcher on its end.

“Are you scared?” Tommick watched him with a tiny brow raised. “It’s only a raven.”

Orzen straightened and sheathed his sword.

“No, of course not.”

The raven landed on Wren’s arm. “His name is Watcher,” she said, scratching the feathers at the top of his head. “He’s the whole reason we’re even going to the Glade.”