Page 81 of A Rose Among Snakes

I bit my tongue and swallowed down the fear and insolence warring inside my head.

Chater Forty-Five

Mihrra

Islept all through the night, my dreams confusing and murky, leaving me feeling disoriented as I was awoken by Velian gently shaking my shoulder. He smiled at me and memories of the night before came flooding back, a blush blooming on my cheeks.

“We’re going to eat and then spread out through the village asking about Enverro.”

I yawned and stretched as he walked away to get me a bowl of porridge. As we ate in silence, I soaked up the peace of the rising sun and singing birds. My entire body ached from wielding a sword, including muscles I didn’t even know existed, but after we ate, we didn’t waste time before saddling up the horses.

Velian gave orders.

“Denzen, you and Mihrra take the north side. Paolef, you take the east, Corman, south, and I’ll take the west. We’ll meet back in the center at midday or sooner.”

“Understood,” Denzen said as everyone nodded. He looked at me and swept his arm out to the side. “After you, my lady.”

I chanced a peek at Velian to find him scowling at Denzen, and a spark of elation fizzled in my belly. In the saddle, I directed Eamis to the north and urged him forward, Denzen following behind.We made our way to the edge of the village where only a couple of homes stood, and both occupants were outside getting started on their work for the day. Neither of them had ever heard of Enverro Machendren, so Denzen and I turned around to make our way through the village. No one we encountered had heard of him, and as the sun was rising higher and higher in the sky, we headed to the village center feeling discouraged.

Velian and Paolef arrived soon after, unsuccessful. Empathy lanced my chest as I studied Velian’s weary expression. I couldn’t think of anything comforting to say, and I was saved by Corman riding up on his horse from the south road. His eyes were wide and he broke out into a smile.

“Someone said they know him, and told me where he lives. They said they saw him heading over to Aeysvarth yesterday, so he shouldn’t be too far ahead.”

Velian perked up and said, “Let’s go find his house. Maybe she’s there.”

Corman wheeled his horse around and we all galloped after him. At the edge of the village was a path climbing a hill, completely engulfed by trees. Once we reached the top, we found a secluded house with a sizable garden. I took in the deteriorating appearance of the building, which was more of a shack than a home, my stomach turning at the thought of Kezara being kept in such a place. Velian pulled Zavi to an abrupt stop, making a running landing with no indication of pain from his wound. He crept around the shack to peer in the windows.

“They’re covered by curtains, I can’t see,” he said, coming back to us. “There are bars on the windows, too.” He hesitated a moment, then said, “I’m going to knock on the door.”

Paolef dismounted and went with him. Velian knocked, but there was no answer.

“Break it down,” he said to Paolef as he stepped back. Paolef cracked his knuckles and picked up a hoe lying on the ground in the garden. He swung his arms back and then forward, slamming the metal part of the tool into the door handle. The door shuddered but didn’t open. Paolef hit it several more times and the wood began to splinter. On his fourth attempt, the head of the tool broke off and Paolef threw it to the side with a growl of frustration. Velian brushed past him and launched his foot at the door, once, twice, and on the third time, the door caved in.

Dust hung in the air around the shack, but Velian rushed across the threshold. Denzen, Corman, and I dismounted and followed behind. Before he walked in, Denzen stopped and patted Paolef on the shoulder, and said,

“You loosened it, I’m sure.”

I didn’t linger to hear if Paolef even acknowledged him. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, but there wasn’t much to see. There was a cell built into the wall to my left and to the right, a tiny kitchen comprised of a few cabinets and a wash basin. A fireplace was on the back wall, a door beside it. Velian emerged from that door and shook his head.

I surveyed the chair lying on its side in the middle of the room and the open door of the cell. A bloodstained log was in thecorner by the front door, and my stomach clenched as visions of a blood-covered Kezara flooded my mind. Vegetable scraps littered the floor and cooking utensils were strewn about as if thrown in anger.

Velian kicked the chair. “She must have been here, but it’s impossible to tell how long ago. It’s such a mess.”

I walked into the cell, my eyes zeroing in on scratch marks on the wall. I crouched down, counting each fresh red-brown mark, totaling twenty-four, which was only a couple shy of how many days Kezara had been gone. On further inspection, I noticed faded initials carved into the lower left corner. I traced the silvery letters with my finger and nearly choked.

Velian walked in behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder and squinting at the marks.

“G.N,” I whispered, standing up. “Gorham Nowen.” I looked up at Velian. “Do you think that could be for my father? Do you think he was kept here by the king?”

“I suppose it’s possible,” he mused, then pointed at the lines. “Are those tally marks?”

“I think so. I counted twenty-four, which means we’re not far behind her.”

Velian nodded and announced, “We’re heading to Aeysvarth.”

Everyone moved out of the shack, but I looked back over my shoulder. Tears stung my eyes as I imagined my father being stuck in that grimy cell, forever separated from his family. I kept my head down as I hurried back to Eamis and used my flurryof emotions to propel myself up into the saddle. Velian led the way, followed closely by Paolef and Corman. Denzen stuck by me, seeming unable to leave my side since finding out who my father was.

Chapter Forty-Six

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