Page 105 of The BoneKeeper's Daughter

“Breathe, Tahrik.I know.”

Kaden’s voice is heavy with sympathy. “They told me of the tragedy. The avalanche and earthquake. But also that the tunnels collapsed behind you, and you couldn’t retrace your steps. You’re lucky you made it through at all; I don’t know how you managed. The caverns beneath the canyonlands are unnavigable. Enough have tried and failed that no one ever attempts it anymore. The ways crumble and shift too quickly to map it; to even think of it is a death sentence.” There is, if not accusation in his tone, at least biting curiosity that he is unable to hide. “You are lucky, beyond lucky. Blessed by the Sea and Sky, by the Gods old and new. But they exacted a price for their gift, I’d say. You came from the caves barely living, dead on your feet. We’re far enough north on the Bridge that it makes no sense to go south right now to the path that leads back to your village, if the way is even open after the rockslides.”

Poking the fire, he grabs another log and throws it on, almost as though he’s trying to distract himself. “Anyway. It makes more sense to take you to my home first; we’re close enough that the journeyshouldn’t be too hard. We can heal you up there, and then decide how to proceed.”

Nodding reluctantly, I agree. “I suppose.” If we’re that near, it will give us a chance to get packs, rations, water, perhaps even mounts. And then we can go back. I won’t risk Wren’s health on a wasted desire to return more quickly, no matter how large the sky looms overhead.

“From what Wren and Rannoch have said, these coming months aren’t the time to go in any case. You don’t have the reserves to make it through, especially now, given your current state. So we have until the Month of the Maiden to make our choices.”

“TheMaiden?” The words bursts from me, appalled. “No.No. That’s too long. If we load up with supplies, once we’re recovered, we could…if we take enough, we could help! The people…our homes…”

Rannoch and Wren exchange an inscrutable look, and suddenly I realize what has been tugging at my attention, what has been creeping on my skin. The way she has held their gazes, the way she’s moved without hesitation.The land grows in colors I’ve never seen…

“Wren…?” Shock sends a tremor through her name.

She looks at me and sighs, and because we are each half of the other, I know she knows what I’m asking. “Rannoch already knew, Rik.” Her use of Davvy’s nickname for me twists in my stomach.

“He…you told him?” Something close to betrayal laces my words, and I have to swallow back the sound.

“No, Miller,” he replies for her, voice tight, eyes narrow. “I knew. I’ve known for years. You’re not the only one with eyes, you know.”

And I hear what he’s saying, but more, I hear what he means, and I realize that what we have is an uneasy truce, not an alliance.

“And Kaden?”

“Ah, well.Kadenwas told in a moment of panic and sworn to secrecy on blood. And complied with the…let’s call it a request…quickly and without complaining, may I add. When Wren was frantically fluttering between two unconscious men and threw caution to the wind in favor of care.” He is teasing, gentle with his response, but clearly seeing something on my face I meant to keep hidden, changes thetopic. “All your other questions are answered together, Tahrik. The Corpse Bridge is a long stretch of land connecting the Lower Kingdom with mine. One side is the Canyonlands, what Wren says you call the Belows. The other side is bordered with bogs so wet and deep they suck any traveler down in a single step, trapped beneath the surface forever. There’s no way through them, for man or beast. The bogs lead to the ocean. The name — Corpse Bridge — it’s a relic from the Great Wars. So many died here, caught between the Kingdoms, that every step was nothing but bodies and blood. And the history still lives in this land; some things can’t be washed away. It’s not a safe place for anyone.” He pauses, clearly trying to choose his words carefully now. “I’m not trying to discount your experiences — any of you — but there are dangers here you can’t imagine.” Voice pitched low, Kaden glances around, shoulders tight. “You’re from a place where you look inward for threats. Or to the Gods. Here — we need our eyes up and looking out. We don’t live in the same isolation. There are daggers in the night.”

Rannoch shifts uneasily, hand dropping to the blade at his waist, and subtly steps closer to Wren. “Closer to the fire, Keeper, if you please.” It’s half a command, half an entreaty, and though she casts him a wry look, she stands gracefully and moves toward the roaring blaze.

“I was cold anyway,” she calls haughtily over her shoulder; a grin quick as lightning flashes across his face before he schools it back to a scowl. She sees it though, and has to fight against an answering smile, lips pressed tight in a thin line to belie her mirth. Their amusement is such a juxtaposition to my own emotions that it feels like a terrible pantomime, or that I’m locked outside a home, pressing my face against the window, witnessing something that I’m not a part of.

“Gallows humor.” Kaden notices my response; I am beginning to believe there isn’t much Kadendoesn’tnotice, for all his smiling and friendly ways. “They were awake and aware when death was kissing their heels, Tahrik. It hasn’t been long enough since the tunnels for them to lose the drunken relief of being alive. Forgive them their joy in the moment. I know it’s strange to you right now, but you’re onlyjust awake. It’s not that they don’t care, you understand? It’s just…you’re breathing. Your eyes are open. There is food, and light, and warmth after too many hours of…well. Just after too many hours. It’s hard for you to understand right now, but they’re not being callous. They’re just figuring things out.”

Sighing, I nod. “I feel a mile and a year behind everything.”

“Time lurches forward in strange ways. You’ll catch up.”

“So.” I shift, eyes locked on Wren and Rannoch at the fire, still trying to make sense of everything that has happened. “How did they find you?”

“Well, friend.ThatI can’t speak to.” He inhales deeply, almost troubled. “I consider it luck, but luck is a strange and fickle thing. I don’t trust it. When we left your village, I told Wren I’d walk slowly as long as I was able.” Ignoring my sharp intake of breath, he continues. “And I did, and then more slowly still, because my wagon snapped an axle. It was fixed, but took time. And then my horse pulled up lame. And another few days passed; Ishouldbe wholly in my lands by now, am pressing everybitofluckI have left to my name. Initially three of my friends stayed with me; the rest progressed without us.” Taking a long sip from his bowl, Kaden shakes his head ruefully. “We’re not a people who suffer delays easily, and are held tight to our…commitments. We were expected back at our home in a certain timeframe; any change to that outside of a prescribed limit wouldn’t have been welcome. But, just before Wren and Rannoch limped from a cave mouth I couldbarelysee, one of my friends got sick. And then a second. The third had no choice — he’s better with herbs and tinctures than I am. Had I been the lead, we all would have ended up unintentionally poisoned. So we put them in my wagon, he took the reins and left, and I started collapsing camp, meaning to follow on immediately behind him. Instead, here I find myself, still on the Corpse Bridge, in the company of people I thought I’d never see again. And another three days off schedule.”

“Will it cause you trouble?” I ask curiously, and am answered with a roar of laughter that catches Rannoch and Wren’s attention.

“Oh..oh..oh…” He’s laughing so hard now there are tears gathering atthe corner of his eyes. “Will it cause me trouble?” he asks, voice trembling in almost manic amusement. “Yes. I suppose you could say that. It just might.”

“What’s so funny?” Wren calls, and he shakes his head, grinning broadly.

“Your friend, Flame, and his questions.” Turning to me, he takes my wrist in his calloused grip and pulls me to my feet. “Come now, Tahrik. Time enough for talking tomorrow. We’ll all bed around the fire, and then pack in the morning.”

Stumbling forward on weak legs, I try to keep myself upright. “Are there tents?”

“No. They take too long to set up and put down, and if we need to move quickly…” He lets his voice trail off, but I understand. “There’s a bedroll for you there, though, and Rannoch and I will switch the watch. When you’re recovered, you can work in, but it will do no one any good for you to take a spell now.”

“Ican take watch,” Wren mutters stubbornly under her breath, clearly playing the string of an argument that has been plucked before. Both men sigh, but it’s Rannoch who answers, surprisingly placatingly.

“You absolutely can, Keeper. No one doubts that.”

“Then work me in.”

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