Page 67 of Cage of Destiny
“And the village is safefor us?”
“As safe as any Russekvillage ever is.” A wicked grin spread across his face, making himlook dark and foreboding. “Get changed. You’re in for anunforgettable experience.”
***
Wearing a plain brown dress thatdragged on the ground, Allyssa walked next to Kerdan. He’d told hernot to talk unless necessary since she spoke with a distinctiveEmperion accent.
“What if someone asks me aquestion?”
“Frown at them and let meanswer.”
“Are women subordinate tomen in Russek?” In Emperion, she could train, shoot a bow, and ridehorseback. Such things were not done in Fren where there was aclear distinction between a woman’s duty and a man’s. It hadbothered her immensely. Women couldn’t even tend to their ownland.
Kerdan didn’t immediately answer. “Insome ways they are, but not in others.”
“How so?”
“Our military only allowsmen to fight. But in villages, women are mostly equal. They workjust like men. They do wear dresses and do most of the cooking,though. I’ve never been to Emperion so I’m not sure what you’reused to.”
“Are women consideredweak?” That was her main concern. From what she’d see in Clovek,she didn’t think so.
“They are not as strongphysically as men.” She bristled. “But they are stronger mentally,I think. They give birth and are the heart of the home.”
His assessment surprised her. “Arethey respected?”
“Yes.”
They neared the outskirts of thevillage. The structures were single-story buildings with thatchedroofs and small fenced-in farms. The closer they got to the villagecenter, the denser the buildings became. Allyssa and Kerdan turnedand walked down a street lined with shops. This village wassignificantly larger than the last one she encountered. It remindedher of Jontis, the border town.
“Will people know we’re notfrom here?” she murmured. Lakeside was so big that she never had toworry about standing out. If she dressed the part, no one paid herany heed.
“They will. That’s why Ihad Hurit meet with a family in the village. He acquired the dressyou’re wearing and asked the family to spread the word that theirrelatives—us—are visiting. Hurit paid them well for theirhelp.”
His foresight always amazed her. Thatwas why it surprised her that Jana managed to evade them earliertoday. It didn’t seem like many people outsmarted Kerdan. It wasone of the traits she admired most about him.
“Why are you staring atme?” he asked.
Bloody hell. She hadn’t meant tostare.
“Allyssa?”
“I was justthinking.”
They walked side by side, nottouching. “Having second thoughts?”
She wasn’t sure if he meant abouttonight or marrying him. “Where are we headed?” she asked, avoidingan answer.
“To that tavern two blocksahead of us on the right.”
Not many people were out walking atthis late hour. Allyssa shivered, her breath coming out in whitepuffs. She wished she had a cloak on. However, Kerdan had insistedshe not bring one since not many could afford such aluxury.
“Why is the tavernseparated from the other buildings?” Usually taverns were right inthe thick of things. This one seemed to be purposefully set asidefrom everything else.
Kerdan chuckled, the sound deep andthroaty. “All taverns in Russek are situated so. Where are yoursat?”
Glancing at the storefrontsaround them, she pointed at the store with a sign readingBakeryabove it. “Thelocal tavern would be there.”
“Aren’t thereproblems?”
