Page 84 of The Turncoat King

And if the Skäddar wanted to be part of the Rising Wave, he would be pleased to let them in.

They could rise up and crash over Fernwell together.

* * *

“Shouldn’tyou be up there, plotting?” Kali waved a wrinkled hand at Luc, the general, and their lieutenants up ahead, heads close together.

Ava noticed Kikir had been invited to join in, and hoped it was a sign the Skäddar were going to become part of the Rising Wave.

“No. I’m not senior enough.” She lifted her knitting and made sure her yarn was secure. You only had to drop a ball of yarn once from horseback to make sure you never did it again. She had forgotten her knitting at the fireside last night, but when she woke in the morning, it had been neatly set just inside the outer part of Luc’s tent.

She had worked on the general’s scarf early this morning, before the tents were packed up, behind the shielding walls of canvas. She didn’t think it wise for her to be seen sewing with black thread anywhere in either column.

They were traveling slowly enough to make it possible to knit, though.

She and Kali had spent a happy time chatting about Cervantes embroidery motifs and knitting styles, and as people had overheard their conversations, they had joined in, talking about things specific to their region, or things their grandparents had done.

The heart’s song motif was something she was shown more than any other.

“A heart’s song is an outpouring of truth to your heart’s choice,” Kali explained. “And it can be in actual words, but it can also be shaped into a piece of jewelry or a garment, or even in a song, sung around the fire.”

The Funabi and Venyatu passing by also couldn’t help getting involved, talking about their own patterns and styles, as well as their versions of a heart song.

Her head was full of ideas by the time it came for lunch.

They were eating on the move today, trying to make up for the delays of the day before.

The trader caravan had been gone by the time the columns had started their lumbering movement and she wished them fair travels and a soft wind at their backs.

The leaders up ahead broke away from each other, the general and her lieutenants peeling left toward the Venyatu column, Luc, Massi and Dak wheeling their horses right.

Kikir followed the Venyatux, and Ava realized the Skäddar warrior had embedded himself well into the column. He barely raised a brow now, despite the markings on his face and his shorter, sturdier mount.

Kali had drifted off to get lunch, and Ava reached into her saddlebag to pull out the pie the cooks had handed out this morning at breakfast, made from yesterday’s leftovers.

“Wait.” Luc had doubled back, coming from behind her, and his hand clamped down on hers. “Will you follow me?”

She nodded, and he led them out of the Rising Wave and into the strip of neutral space between the two columns.

He slowed until they were in the middle section, where the carts and large wagons lumbered, protected from attack by the front soldiers and the rear guard. Then he leaned over and kissed her, holding her face in his hands and exploring her mouth.

When at last he leaned back, his eyes were crinkled in the corners. “I didn’t want a large audience for that, but I have been thinking about it all day.”

Ava looked around, and gave a laugh. “I’m afraid you misjudged the interest in us from the cart drivers.”

He followed her gaze, to the waving drivers.

Whistles came from behind them, and when Ava looked back, the rear guard from both sides gave cheeky waves.

“Ah, well.” Luc leaned forward and kissed her lightly again. “I tried.” He unhooked a small basket from his saddle. “The cooks gave me this.” He held out a small wild strawberry, and touched it to her lips.

She took a bite, and closed her eyes. She hadn’t had anything like this since the days before she’d been abducted by the Queen’s Herald. Sweet and tart at once.

Another berry touched her lips and she opened her eyes as she bit down.

“I learned today about a heart’s song.”

He froze as she spoke.

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