Page 38 of Dark Elves of Ardani

She hated him.

Shehatedhim.

She realized someone was speaking. The other Varai.

“Tell him I’ll do it!”Devana was sputtering.“I’ll tell him where to go! Please!”

Theron had taken hold of Devana’s shirt collar, lifting him slightly off the ground. He’d raised his sword near the elf’s face but was looking at Zara. The crowd had backed away somewhat. “What does he say?” Theron asked.

It took Zara more than a few seconds to compose herself, to unclench her fists, to find her voice even though her jaw trembled. Theron was looking at her with the same friendly expression as always. Somehow, he had no inkling of what she thought of him. It was as if it didn’t even occur to him how detestable he was.

“He says he will do as you ask,” Zara said slowly.

Theron smiled. He lowered Devana, releasing him. “Paladius has seen fit to let you live,” he said to him. When Zara didn’t translate, Theron glanced up at her. “Tell him,” he said.

Zara felt her lips trying to pull back into a look of disgust, and she pressed them tightly together.“He says his god has decided to let you live,”she ground out.

“Paladius,” Theron clarified, since he hadn’t heard it among the words she’d spoken.

Zara couldn’t help it; she felt her lips curl.“The arrogant, hateful bastard of a god who he calls Paladius has decided to let you live,”she snapped. Devana just watched her nervously.

Theron moved closer to her, his brow knitted in concern. “Are you all right, Zara?”

She’d had plenty of practice hiding her feelings about people she despised, but she was struggling. “Yes. Fine.”

“You should look away from the blood. I know it is shocking for a young woman to see this, but sometimes unpleasant things are necessary for the greater good. Someday, you’ll understand.”

“I will be fine, Paladin Theron.”

He tried to put a hand on her shoulder, and she jerked away. He looked offended.

“If you have no further need of me, I will go,” she said.

“I do have further need of you, if you don’t mind.” He gave her a lingering look, then turned to Devana. “Tell us, then. Where are the rest of your people? How many are there?”

Zara translated, and Devana quickly responded, speaking to Zara rather than Theron.“There are several groups that come and go. I don’t know exactly how many. A few dozen, maybe,”he said in a rush.“They move around from place to place. Sometimes in the north, sometimes to the west. There’s a place we like to go to camp. I can show you.”

Theron looked extremely pleased with this answer. “Very well. We’ll leave tomorrow. Lady Zara, will you accompany us?”

“Yes,” she said flatly. “Of course, Paladin Theron.”

He placed a hand on the symbol over his heart and looked skyward. Zara followed his gaze, but she saw only a sheet of gray clouds above them.

“Paladius,” he said, closing his eyes. He spoke softly, almost as if he didn’t intend for anyone else to hear, but the crowd had grown so quiet that everyone must have been able to hear his every word. “I thank you for your wisdom and your strength, and for blessing my sword to exact holy justice. I pray that you forgive these heathens for their foolish and wicked ways. I pray that…” His voice followed Zara even as she turned away and started back to the inn.

* * *

Zara clutchedher cloak closed against the biting air. She’d set off into the mountains that morning with the Paladins, following behind Theron and Devana. The fog had returned, and the weather was the coldest she’d yet felt in Ardani. It froze the fog to the rocks and grass in a sheen of crystalline frost that was slick beneath their feet.

She recognized their route from her maps. Theron was careful to take them along paths that didn’t pose a risk of avalanche. She had to give him credit—he could not be fooled twice.

Devana told them that the Varai camp was two days of travel from the village. He was careful to remind them that there was no assurance that the Varai would be there when they arrived. The elves moved often, never staying in one place for very long.

They stopped that night when they reached a plateau at the top of a broad spire of rock. It was cold, but defensible. If there were other Varai around, it would be difficult for them to sneak up on them, even in the dark.

Devana sat on the ground as the Paladins built a fire and distributed food. He caught Zara’s eye when she sat down near him to put her hands by the fire.

“We could help each other,”he said under his breath.

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