Finnikin of the Rock

demanded.

'It's lovely to know that you are picking up the language, Froi,' Evanjalin sniped. 'But I do not recall the authority to command being part of your bond.'

'Hungry,' Froi muttered.

'And we're not?' Finnikin snapped back.

'He's a boy,' Sir Topher admonished, 'who needs to eat. You were the same at his age, Finnikin.'

'No, I was not.'

Sir Topher snorted with disbelief.

'All of you stay here,' Finnikin ordered. 'I will get us food.' He pointed a finger at his father. 'No fighting with the locals!'

Trevanion was scowling. 'Take my sword and the girl.'

As they walked away he heard Sir Topher say, 'There were times I thought he'd eat me in my sleep, I tell you.'

Finnikin strode ahead of Evanjalin until she placed a hand on his arm. She pointed down one of the wider alleys to a courtyard where an outdoor spring was built into the town wall. 'Let's at least fill up our water flasks,' she said.

As they walked toward the courtyard, the cooking aromas from nearby cottages caused Finnikin's stomach to rumble loudly again, and he clutched at it.

'I think that was actually my stomach,' Evanjalin said with a laugh. 'Tonight they dine on roast pork. I would give my right arm for roast pork.'

But Finnikin did not want to think of Evanjalin's right arm, branding her a slave. 'Then tonight you will eat roast pork,' he announced.

The courtyard was a smaller version of the main square, with houses facing the west. It stood empty, and Finnikin suspected that the town had a curfew, which meant they had little time to organize food and lodgings. He filled up both their flasks and then splashed cold water on his face.

'Of course, we'll have to steal it,' he said, still thinking about their dinner.

'You're asking me to commit a crime?' she said in mock horror.

He laughed. 'Not a good way to start our married life, but roast pork is my gift to you.'

'And what would you like in return?'

'A goose would be nice,' he said. 'But then again, I don't care if it's pottage. Even stale bread would work for me. Anything to shut Froi up.' He was about to put his head under the spring to wash away the grime, when the cold touch of a sword on his neck stopped him from moving. Evanjalin stiffened beside him.

'Turn around,' the assailant said. The sound was more like a rumble than a voice.

He saw Evanjalin's sideways glance, but before he could speak, the assailant pushed her away and she fell.

'Let this fight be between us!' Finnikin said, swinging around.

Mercy. He was facing a giant of a man. Massive in height and bulky in width, the giant had dark hair and a beard that were cropped close to his skin. He clutched two swords. His fists were thick, double the size even of Trevanion's, and he defended Finnikin's first blow with great skill.

Evanjalin was back on her feet, hurling her water flask at the giant, but it made little impact against him as his sword clashed with Finnikin's.

'I'm playing with him,' the giant said, his tone unkind. 'Do that again, little girl, and I'll kill him.'

'Push her, threaten her, or even look at her again, and I'll kill you!' Finnikin said, sending the man into momentary retreat.

'I'll make this easier for you.' The giant dropped the sword he was holding in his left hand and held up his right hand, indicating who was in charge.

Finnikin caught his first clear look at the man and fought to suppress a grin. 'Go get my father, Evanjalin,' he said, blowing hair out of his face. He heard her retreating footsteps as she broke into a run.

'She's going to get your father,' the giant scorned. 'Should I be scared?'

'Probably. Lumateran, aren't you?' Finnikin asked in Yut, trying to sound as if he had the breath to fight and talk.

A dark look crossed the man's face. 'You ask too many questions, skinny boy.'

'Skinny boy? That's the best you can do?'

The giant's eyes narrowed, and his fighting pace quickened until Finnikin's arm began to ache and his legs buckled.

'You look like you're from the River,' Finnikin taunted. 'Second to those of the Lumateran Rock, I hear.'

The giant clenched his teeth, and Finnikin wanted to laugh at how easily he was provoked.

Moss of the River.

The Guard had always mocked him because of his name. He was the biggest scoundrel among the king's men, but Balthazar and Isaboe had adored him and he in turn loved the royal children as if they were his own. His anguish at the discovery of Isaboe's blood-soaked hair and clothing in the Forest that morning had been so great that Trevanion had to hold him down to prevent him from pounding his own body with stones.

'You talk too much,' Moss snapped. 'And from what I know about Lumatere, the River men come first.'

'Do they?' With a grunt, Finnikin shoved him back and then threw his own weapon to the side.

Moss of the River stared at him in confusion, the sword still clasped in his hands.

Finnikin held up one finger at a time. 'Rock. River. Monts. Flatlands. Forest. In order of strength,' he goaded.

'You have a death wish, my friend. My father would say that anyone fool enough to think they can better a Lumateran River man does not deserve to live.'

'And my father would say that very few men look good with a broken nose.'

With that, Finnikin twisted around and sent a flying kick to Moss's face. The big man stumbled back in shock, and then a glint of some kind of satisfaction appeared in his eyes. Throwing his sword to the side, he lunged toward Finnikin.

'Hand to hand,' he said, nodding with approval. 'Try not to scream like a girl.'

Trevanion sprinted into the courtyard, trailed by Sir Topher, Evanjalin, and Froi. They were just in time to see Finnikin trapped in a headlock by a man who was twice his size.

'What are they doing?' Sir Topher asked in alarm.

'They're proving their manhood,' Evanjalin said in a bored voice. 'One of yours, I presume, Captain Trevanion?'

Evanjalin and Sir Topher turned to look at him, and Trevanion could not hold back his joy. He felt his lips twitch into a smile. 'Yes,' he said. 'Both mine.'

Finnikin came flying through the air and landed at their feet with a groan.

'Moss has a weak left,' Trevanion managed to tell him before Finnikin was back on his feet.

'Sweet goddess, it's Moss of the River,' Sir Topher said, hitting Trevanion on the shoulder with glee. 'He's a lot bigger than Finnikin,' he added. 'He could hurt him.'

'He says he's only playing with Finnikin,' Evanjalin advised them, as some of the villagers came out to their balconies to watch the fighting below.

Finnikin danced and ducked around the giant, throwing punches at any opportunity he could take. 'My father says you have a weak left,' he said, his head aching from the constant movement.

Moss led with his left, and Finnikin ducked again and then leaped onto the big man's back, yanking at his ears. 'And my father would know.' Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Evanjalin approach. 'Stand back, Evanjalin. You'll get hurt!'

'How long is this going to take, Finnikin? Ask him if they have food. You promised me roast pork.'

Finnikin rolled his eyes as Moss swung from side to side, trying to dislodge him from his back. 'Woman, I'm trying to fight here! Or has that escaped your attention?'

Moss reached over his shoulder, grabbed Finnikin by his jerkin, and swung him over his head. But then he stopped suddenly, sliding Finnikin back onto the ground, staring at him.

'Finnikin? Did she say Finnikin?'

Finnikin felt dizzy, the world spinning out of control.