The trip back across the Matna was interminable. Luckily for him, he was too worried about Daks and the Riftspawn to spare any thought for the terrible memories the churning waters below him might have conjured up.
Scholoveld is in the mountains, not an ocean or large river in sight of the place, he promised himself. Before a few days ago that thought wouldn’t have made him feel better, but he could do without any large bodies of water for a while.
As they neared the opposite shore, he caught his first glimpse of red robes in the market above the landing and his breath quickened. Tightening his grip on the side of the small boat, he retreated farther into the shadows of his hood, closed his eyes, and willed himself to remain calm. The reality of trying to find Daks in all that bustling humanity started to sink in past the fear that had impelled him there, but what choice did he have? No one would do it for him, and if he didn’t go, he had a terrible feeling he’d never see Daks again, and it would be all his fault for not trying.
Perhaps noticing his distress and finally taking pity on him as they neared the landing, the boatman said, “Your friend headed toward the market when I dropped him off. When he asked me the best places to go for information and gossip, I told him Hamul’s place, the Ram’s Horn, if that helps any. It’s one street over from the market so a little less crowded at midday.”
“Thank you.”
The man grunted, leapt into the knee-deep water to pull it ashore, and waited for Ravi to scramble awkwardly out.
“We’ll be back to see you’re paid in coin and collect our horse,” Ravi declared with far more confidence than he felt.
The boatman only shrugged and pushed off again, climbing nimbly back into the vessel as it floated away on the current, leaving Ravi alone.
This is such a bad idea.
Swallowing his fear, he headed up the landing toward the market, skirting the edges of the crowd and keeping his head down as much as possible. One or two men in red cloaks and splashes of guard blue caught his eye, but not as many as when they’d come through before, which seemed odd. But perhaps they were out in nearby villages cleaning up and rebuilding with those who hadn’t the benefit of a mysterious wizard’s aid, like the rumors said. The market did look remarkably untouched, compared to the other side of the river.
He huddled inside his cloak, quickly turning away anytime a brother or guard got close, sweating and shaking with nerves as he searched desperately for any sign of Daks. After only a few minutes, he gave up on the crowded market altogether. He’d just have to trust his instincts that Daks wouldn’t have stayed there for long.
Like the boatman had said, one street over, things were much calmer and less crowded. He blew out a relieved breath once he’d reached a quiet spot and wiped the moisture from his forehead.
Please, please, please, just let me find Daks. Don’t give me any more Visions until we’re back in Samebar, please. I won’t even complain about the next one if you just wait.
He spotted the Ram’s Horn’s painted signboard and hurried over, but he hesitated outside the open doorway, unsure how to proceed. The place looked cramped and dark inside, the last place Ravi should be going if he wanted to avoid close contact with people. But he wouldn’t get any information lurking outside.
Hoping to remain inconspicuous, he sidled over to the large, slightly grimy window next to the door and peered inside. Unless Daks was hiding in the back, he wasn’t in there. He glanced at the sky and winced. The sun was moving across it far too quickly. He needed to find Daks before sunset.
“Can I help you, sir? Would you like some of Hamul’s fine ale? Best in Traget.”
Ravi jolted and turned to find a young woman with a tray of flagons balanced on her hip, smiling at him expectantly. He licked his dry lips but winced apologetically. “Sorry, no. I’m, uh, looking for a friend of mine who might have come through this morning. Could you tell me if you saw him?”
Even as he spoke, he tensed for the tingle that meant a Vision was imminent, but felt nothing. Blowing out a relieved breath, he tried to give the woman a disarming smile.
“You’ll have to be more specific than that. I see lots of friends ’round here,” she said with a wink. “Maybe a little ale will loosen your tongue.”
Ravi’s regret wasn’t feigned as he shook his head. “Sorry. I haven’t any coin.”
Her sunny smile lost some of its brightness, and she turned to go back inside but stopped when Ravi caught her sleeve.
“Please, miss, I’m sorry. I’d buy some if I could. I just need to know if my friend was here. He’s about my height but much broader of chest and shoulders. He has dark hair he keeps tied back and has a couple of scars along his jaw. He would have been asking about a friend of his, a woman.”
She pursed her lips and cocked an eyebrow at him until Ravi let go of her sleeve. When he gave her another mumbled apology, her smile returned, although it seemed a little more wicked now.
“I remember your friend. Thick man he was. Only stayed for a single pint, though, more’s the pity,” she said with a wink.
Ravi’s heart lurched. “Do you know where he went?”
Her
