The Blood Forest (The Tree of Ages Series Book 3) Read online

Malida’s daughter, whose name Finn had somehow never learned, glanced toward the occupied table, then flipped her dark brown hair over her shoulder as Kai, Iseult, and Finn approached. “My mother will not be pleased you’re back in Anna’s company,” she said, her gaze drifting to Kai as she slowly dried a pewter mug with a cloth.

  “I’m sure she’ll change her mind after I explain a few things,” he replied. “Now where is she?”

  Finn watched as the girl’s eyes narrowed once more, glancing between herself and Iseult, then back to Kai. “You know better than to ask for her whilst in the company of strangers.”

  “They’re not strangers,” Kai sighed. “Is she in the back? I’ll go in alone.”

  Finn tapped his shoulder, quite sure he was forgetting something important. Meeting his gaze, she glanced down at the bundle in her arms. The bundle that was beginning to squirm while emitting soft growls.

  His eyes widened in realization. “Ah, yes,” he said, turning back to the girl, “Finn and I will go back. The rest will remain out here, though it’s likely they will want a hot meal.”

  The girl scowled at Finn. “I thought her name was Breya,” she spat.

  Finn’s eyes widened. She’d forgotten she’d gone by a false name the last time they saw Malida.

  “Where is Malida?” Kai asked again, ignoring the girl’s comment.

  The girl sighed, then gestured toward the end of the bar where there was a space to pass through. “She’s filling out her ledgers in the back.”

  Iseult gently caught Finn’s arms before she could follow Kai toward the end of the bar. He didn’t need to speak to voice his concerns.

  “It’s alright,” she assured, steadily meeting his gaze. “I trust Malida.”

  He seemed to think about it for a moment, then nodded, though he was clearly not pleased.

  Finn gave him a final reassuring smile, then followed Kai, clamping down on Naoki to keep her from breaking free of her bundle. The few midday patrons in the establishment were beginning to look at her strangely, and she wanted to be out of sight before the dragon burst forth and caused a commotion.

  She hurried to the other side of the bar, then through a door Malida’s daughter had moved to unlock for them. As soon as the door shut behind them, Finn released her dragon, hoping Malida would not be too frightened when they found her.

  Naoki scrambled across the wooden flooring of a long hallway, her talons clicking hollowly on the boards.

  Kai watched the little dragon as she skittered up and down the hall, wanting to explore, but apparently afraid to go too far on her own. He turned, raising an eyebrow at Finn. “Now you see what I had to deal with the entire voyage to Migris?”

  Finn rolled her eyes, blowing a stray lock of hair from her face. “She’s not that bad. It was likely difficult for her to be bundled up for so long.”

  Kai snorted. “If you say so. Let’s find Malida.”

  Finn nodded and followed Kai. Naoki was finally able to calm herself enough to prance by Finn’s side, though she chittered and nipped at Finn’s cloak as they walked, hoping for treats.

  Kai reached the end of the hall, then took a right. Finn estimated they were somewhere near the main sitting room, though she’d never entered through the front side of the home. Reaching Kai’s side at the end of the corridor, she saw that her estimations were right. Malida sat on an overstuffed chair, hunched over a pile of parchment in her lap. Standing, the woman would barely reach Finn’s shoulder, which made her tiny, given Finn’s small stature. Though she was yet to look up from her parchment, Finn remembered her muddy brown eyes and hair, and a face that boasted numerous lines from years of laughter.

  Kai cleared his throat, and Malida jumped, then glanced over at them with a hand held to her chest. “You scared me out of my wits,” she gasped. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you to knock before entering someone’s home?”

  “Your daughter let us in,” Kai explained, stepping forward.

  Naoki was staring warily in Malida’s direction, though Malida could not see her over the high-backed, padded bench blocking her view.

  Malida gave Kai a final hard glare, then turned her suddenly kind gaze to Finn. “You, however, I am overjoyed to see.” She stood, grinning wide enough to showcase her few remaining teeth, then walked around the padded bench toward Finn.

  Naoki chirped excitedly, and Malida jumped back. She lifted her arms as if afraid the dragon might attack. “What in the ancestors is that!” she shouted.

  Kai hurried to the small woman’s side and gently took one of her arms. “It’s alright, this is Naoki,” he explained, gesturing toward the dragon with his free hand, “Breya’s . . . pet.”

  Finn frowned at the renewal of her fake name, but she supposed it would save them some explanation . . . for now.

  Naoki jumped up and down excitedly, but restrained herself at Finn’s side.

  “She’s very friendly,” Kai added, a hint of sarcasm clear in his tone.

  Malida seemed unsure, but bravely took a step forward, then crouched down to Naoki’s level. Taking this as some sort of signal, Naoki trotted forward and began prancing circles around Malida, clearly excited to have found a new friend.

  Malida let out an uneasy chuckle, hesitantly patted the little dragon between her folded wings, then stood and approached Finn, wrapping her up in a hug.

  Surprised by the sudden show of affection, Finn tensed, then relaxed into the embrace, hunching forward to put herself at Malida’s level.

  “I’m glad you two are back together,” Malida muttered.

  “Oh we’re not-” Finn began, pulling away from the hug.

  “We’re working things out,” Kai interrupted, cautioning Finn with his gaze from behind Malida’s back.

  Finn knew that Malida was touchy about who Kai brought into her home, so she just smiled and nodded. It seemed they’d be maintaining their previous ruse of husband and wife, though Finn would punch Kai right in the nose if he thought it meant he could walk in on her in the bath again.

  Malida put her hands on her plump hips, narrowing her gaze. “Why do you two seem suddenly nervous?”

  “We have a few extra companions this time around,” Kai explained, moving to stand by Finn’s side, wrapping a companionable arm around her. “Not that we would dream of asking you to extend the same hospitality to them as you have given us in the past.”

  Finn fought the glare she wanted to give Kai, and smiled instead. “Yes, we were only hoping for a little help with Naoki. It’s difficult to keep her concealed for long, and it would likely not go over well with her running freely in the streets. We’ll gladly offer you anything we can in return.”

  Malida glanced at the dragon, who was now inspecting the rest of the sitting room, then nodded. “I suppose she can stay back here, as long as she won’t cause any trouble. The two of you will stay as well, of course, though the rest of your companions will need to find lodgings elsewhere.”

  “Of course,” Kai agreed, before Finn could interrupt.

  Though the comfortable bed and access to a nice hot bath were more than they’d likely find at any of the inns in the small port town, Finn was reluctant to accept Malida’s terms. Her primary concern was the injustice of leaving the others to lesser accommodations, especially Iseult, but there was also the discomfort of staying in a room with Kai once more. Though they had developed what could amount to a tense friendship, shared lodgings had not gone over well the last time.

  Finn let out a long breath. “I am grateful for your hospitality, but I would not feel comfortable leaving behind our companions. There is a young lady in the group who I feel would not be entirely comfortable sharing lodgings with some of the others. Perhaps it would be better for only Kai to stay here with Naoki.”

  Malida looked suddenly suspicious again, but nodded. “I will not force you to stay, as long as Kai is willing to watch over your . . . pet, but I do hope you’ll reconsider.” She looked Finn up and down, her eyes lingering on her breeches. �
��And I’ll find you a proper dress.”

  “Oh that’s not-” Finn began to argue, loath to lose her breeches, but Kai stopped her with a look. “Thank you,” she said instead, grateful for Malida’s kindness, even if it was a bit misplaced. It seemed their problems had been solved, at least for a single night, dresses not withstanding.

  “Now I’d say it’s time for a hot meal,” Malida announced, “and some scraps for your pet? The only payment I require for my hospitality is a full account of the things you have seen during your travels. We are living in strange times, and it pays more than mere coin to be informed.”

  “Of course,” Finn agreed, thinking to herself just how right Malida was in her assertion. Information could be more valuable than land, ships, armies, or anything else that could be purchased with mere coin. She only wished she had more of it to share.

  AFTER GETTING Naoki set up in a bedroom with a large plate of meat scraps, Finn and Kai rejoined the others in the tavern. Kai was not pleased it had fallen to him to once again watch over the temperamental dragon, and he was kicking himself for not arguing. He wasn’t even sure why he hadn’t argued, except that being back in Malida’s home brought forth memories of their previous time there. A time when Finn had decided he was perhaps a decent man, and he had regrettably gone out of his way to scrub such an absurd notion from her mind. Perhaps he was still trying to prove himself decent, even now, though he felt he’d already done so several times over.

  Malida hadn’t heard much hearsay of any bounties, so they deemed it safe for Finn to return to the common room, though she’d keep her hair hidden by her cloak, just in case.

  Drawing himself out of his thoughts, Kai looked up from his seat at the round wooden table as a barmaid placed a massive bowl of lamb stew in front of him. He watched while everyone else received their meals, placed next to half empty mugs of ale.

  Anna sat next to him, seeming to pay as much attention to the ongoing conversations as he was, which was little. With a sigh, he lifted his bowl and mug, then stood, moving toward the bar where Malida waited. He could have told her what she wanted to know later that evening, but decided he preferred her company at that moment, as opposed to his travel companions, especially Maarav and his men.

  Malida watched him cross the room, a thoughtful expression on her round face as she wiped the perfectly clean wooden bar with a rag.

  Reaching her, he set his meal down and took a seat on one of the tall stools. “Ready for my epic tale?”

  She smirked. “I’m ready for you to tell me what’s going on between you and Breya . . . or is her name Finn?”

  “I see you’ve already spoken with your daughter,” Kai sighed.

  “I did,” she replied, “and now I’m wondering about a great many things. Last I saw Finn, she was sneaking out of my home at dawn. Now you are somehow back together, but not as husband and wife. Instead, you’re traveling with a large party. You never travel with large parties, so I assume that part is Finn’s doing.”

  “Yes,” he sighed, wondering if he should attempt to keep the ruse going at all, “she’s a very demanding wife.”

  “She’s not your wife,” Malida stated bluntly. “Did you truly think you could deceive me? I can see that you love her, but there is no clear understanding between the two of you.”

  He blinked up at her, entirely dumbstruck. He knew Malida had been suspicious, but to have known all along? “Then why did you go along with it?”

  She chuckled, then grabbed Kai’s ale to take a swig. “Why not? After all this time, I knew I could trust your judgment, and I genuinely like her. She’s a sweet lass.”

  Kai leaned his elbows on the bar and buried his head in his hands, letting his tangled, chestnut brown hair fall forward. “I suppose I’ll start from the very beginning,” he sighed, “long before we came here the first time. It’s the only way I can fathom explaining it all in a way that makes sense.”

  Malida took a moment to refill his ale from one of the large casks behind the bar, then gestured for him to go on.

  He snuck a quick glance over his shoulder at his party, then began, “It all started back in Garenoch, when we met an odd, long-haired girl, and her elderly companion . . . ”

  He went on to detail their entire journey, leaving out exactly who Finn was, and what she and Iseult sought. He told Malida of their long sea voyage, and detailed all that happened once they arrived back on land. He also admitted, though Malida already seemed to know, that Finn was never truly his wife, but that he really was trying to help her. He hoped in coming clean Malida would take pity on him, and would still allow him to stay in her home that evening. She was at least still speaking with him, which gave him hope she understood his reasons for lying.

  As he finished his long-winded tale, Malida pursed her lips in thought. “So when you first came to me, you were simply attempting to help Finn find that man?” She nodded in Iseult’s direction.

  He gazed down at his uneaten stew. “Yes,” he admitted after a moment. “I was only trying to help her find Iseult and her other friend, Àed, again, but I was worried someone else might try to collect the bounty on her. I still don’t know the meaning behind the bounty, or who originally ordered it, but at the time it seemed the safest option to keep her hidden, and to use a false name.”

  He lifted his eyes to meet Malida’s narrowed gaze. “So you lied to me,” she began again, “to protect a young lady, even though you had nothing to gain, and in fact, stood to lose not only your partnership with Anna, but a great deal of coin.”

  He frowned. “When you put it like that, I sound like a fool.”

  “And even after she left you,” she continued, ignoring his lament, “you then went on to follow her. You traveled all the way to Migris, just to make sure she was safe, then sailed to a legendary tree, just so she could find answers. Now you’ve followed her all the way back to this Faie infested land, and in all of this, you have absolutely nothing to gain.”

  He huffed in exasperation. “Is the point of this entire conversation just to make me feel like a blithering idiot?”

  Malida smiled warmly. “I see my early speculations were correct, and yes, you’re a blithering idiot, but only if you won’t admit you love her.”

  He took a long swill of his ale, relishing in the slight feeling of numbness it brought. There was that word again. Love. “I’d be a blithering idiot if I thought that it mattered,” he replied finally, seeing no use in denying it any longer.

  Malida simply smiled, then slid his stew bowl closer to him.

  He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “What are you thinking?”

  She smiled wider and shook her head. “Never you mind. Eat your food and tell me more about what you saw in Migris. We’ve had a few travelers make it this way from the West, but it’s been difficult to believe what they’ve been saying.”

  He took a bite of his now cold stew, then replied, “Believe it. Believe everything you hear. After the things I’ve seen and experienced, I will never question any odd Faie tales again.”

  She nodded. “I trust your judgement, but I must ask, where are you off to now? Most travelers who’ve come into contact with the Faie are hiding in the smaller towns, or wherever else they can find shelter. Few want to brave the roads anymore.”

  He took another long swig of his ale, draining his mug. “Anna and Finn are both on a mission for the same, um, item,” he took another swill, hoping Malida wouldn’t pry into what that item was. “I’m coming along to make sure they don’t kill each other,” he finished, lowering his glass.

  Malida smirked and glanced over at the occupied table. “If it’s a fight to the death, my bet is unfortunately on Anna.”

  Kai shook his head, thinking back to the few incidents where Finn had been forced to protect herself. Anna might be deadly, but she didn’t stand a chance against that sort of power. “I’ll not comment on who would win, but it’s better for all of us if that fight never happens.”

  Malida nodded, the
n lifted her gaze past Kai. He turned on his stool to see Finn and Iseult approaching.

  “I was hoping to check on Naoki before we search for rooms at one of the inns,” Finn explained upon reaching Kai’s side, her face shadowed by her hood.

  He turned to see Malida narrow her eyes in thought before nodding. “No offense meant,” she began, flicking her gaze up to Iseult, “but I only trust Kai and,” she hesitated, “Finn to enter my home.”

  Kai watched the blush creep up Finn’s face upon hearing her real name.

  Malida rolled her eyes. “I know you were in trouble, I cannot blame you for giving a false name, and Finn is much prettier than Breya.”

  Finn smiled graciously, though her blush did not lessen.

  “I understand,” Iseult said in reply to Malida’s initial statement. He turned to Kai. “You’ll accompany her,” he added, no hint of questioning in his tone.

  Kai sighed and stood, shooing Finn away from where she stood beside his stool to make room.

  “And the two of you can find a few things for me in the cellar while you’re at it,” Malida added, an impish grin on her round face.

  Kai gave her a questioning glance, wondering what she was up to, then nodded. It wasn’t the first time Malida had put him to work. He gestured for Finn to lead the way behind the bar, all the while wondering what the glint in Malida’s eye was about.

  AFTER CHECKING ON NAOKI, Kai showed Finn the way to the cellar. She’d felt a little wary descending the dark, rickety staircase beneath a trap door within the bedroom Malida shared with her husband, but she figured she owed Malida a great deal. She’d gladly carry up whatever supplies she needed.

  They’d only been down in the space for a few moments, searching the various barrels and storage crates by lantern-light, when Malida’s daughter came thunking down the stairs, a piece of parchment in hand. She offered the parchment to Kai, glared at Finn, then retreated.

  Holding his lantern aloft, Kai’s eyes skimmed the list. He sighed. “It seems Malida thought of a few more items for us to carry up.”

  Finn widened her eyes, then plucked the parchment from his fingers. He held the lantern toward her so she could read what was written. She didn’t even know what half of the items on the list were, let alone where to find them in the cramped, dark cellar.