Page 22 of Crown of Ashes and Awe

I repeated what Demius had said. “The city walls are no protection.”

Tearloch stopped, so our party came to a halt. “What did you say?”

“That’s what Demius said. When people asked him where they should go, he said it will not matter. And he said the city walls would be no protection.”

Tearloch shrugged and started walking again. “No walls can keep out a dragon.”

I nodded and fell into step. “Nor a prophecy.”

Ahead, someone in tattered, dusty clothing walked on the far-left side of the road. I could tell by their steps they were close to collapse, and I pitied them. At least I had some strangers with whom to travel. As we passed, I turned to look at their face. It was a girl, all alone!

Even though Tearloch had claimed that the Prospectors were no longer a threat to young women, I couldn’t help but worry for her. If we couldn’t make it inside the city walls before dark, then it was impossible for her, in her weary state. I had to do something!

Tearloch had noticed her to and was watching Minkin and me over his shoulder. He shook his head sharply, his message clear—we were not to invite her to join us.

My surprise left me speechless, and yet I kept walking.

After we were far enough away, he turned and spoke quietly. “If we take on every waif between here and Sunbasin, we will be tending a mob.”

I couldn’t do nothing. “Let me at least give her some water.”

He shook his head sharply and faced forward.

It took me a moment to remember that I no longer had a master, and Tearloch had no say in what I did or did not do. But if I defied him, I might not be allowed to rejoin them…

It didn’t matter. The girl and I would have each other. It wasn’t a family, but it might be a start.

I moved to the left side of the road, stepping through a break between travelers. I sent Minkin a smile of thanks, knowing I might not see her again. Then I strained to see past the flow of bodies, looking for the waif. She was much further back than expected, and I feared she walked even slower than before.

I moved to the edge of the crowd and started running, worried the girl might collapse before I could reach her. And with the push of bodies and wagons, she might get hurt.

But someone else reached her first. While I was still a dozen paces away, a man grabbed her by the shoulders, turned her, and pulled her into his embrace. A distraught woman and boy joined them, wrapping their arms around each other in a mass of limbs and grasping hands.

My ears caught a few words between their sobs. “Lost you… Stay together… Never again.” The little family was oblivious to the logjam of Hestians cursing them for blocking the way. Then the mob started cursing me.

A large, forceful hand grabbed my upper arm. I gasped and turned to protest as they urged me further from the road. It was Tearloch. He’d come for me, but why? To keep me from helping the girl? Or to bring us both back into his little fold? It was impossible to tell.

He studied the little family. The girl was all but hidden from view, and it was clear she had all she needed.

Unbidden, tears poured down my cheeks, and I tried to dry them with my sleeve before he noticed. But I wasn’t quick enough.

“Come on,” he said. His hand tightened again, but gentler than before. “They’re waiting.” He led me back to the west side of the road. In the distance, a set of horns and a man’s head stood out above the rest. Travelers veered around Sweetie like water diverting around a boulder.

“Dragon!”someone shouted.

Everyone stopped and looked up. A small dark cloud separated itself from the darkening sky and swooped toward us, wings beating, body undulating closer and closer, never slowing. I turned to bury myself against Tearloch’s chest at the same time his arms came around me. I shut my eyes tight, caught my breath and held it, and braced for pain.

I’m not ready! I am not ready!

But pain never came. The shadow passed. But still, I couldn’t get my feet to move. I should have stepped away from him, but I clung to that soft but solid protection. “I’m not ready to die,” I whispered, trying to explain why I still stood there.

I shouldn’t have looked up into his face. I should have just turned and walked. But I didn’t. And neither did he…

11

A VISIT BY THE SKY GODS

Tearloch’s hands moved to my shoulders. His eyes looked hungry as he studied my face, then his gaze lifted to my hair and I realized he was seeing someone else, not me. When his head bent toward mine, I was tempted to let him kiss me just to see what it would be like. But without warning, a youth began to wail beside us, jerking us both out of that fraught spell.

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