The Hob's Bargain

saying anything. “You said you’re going to Auberg by the old trail over the Hob?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWould you mind if I went with you? Duck’s back, so I wouldn’t need to borrow a horse.” I started to get up, but a wave of dizziness caught me halfway up.
    â€œDid you see something?” He pulled me to my feet and steadied me a moment.
    I nodded. “Nothing to do with Danci. I have no idea what it means, but I think that I might find out on the trip over.” It was something to do besides sit here and contend with memories and visions. Maybe, if I kept busy, the visions would go away. Even this one I’d had about the wildling with red-brown eyes wasn’t as consuming as the ones I’d had earlier.
    Kith nodded once, and stepped outside. “Fine, then. I’m meeting the harper at the inn just before dawn. Pack food to last at least four days.”
    I followed him to his horse. It took him a few moments to gather his reins, and I thought about how frustrating he must find it to have only one arm.
    â€œIf you take the ends of the reins in your teeth you could collect them faster and more evenly,” I observed.
    He smiled at me, surprising me with a glimpse of his old self. “I do, if no one is watching.” Reins properly tightened, he stepped into the saddle.
    â€œKith?” I asked abruptly.
    â€œHmm?” His horse shifted its weight impatiently.
    â€œWould you teach me how to use a knife? I can use a bow—Father taught me. But that wouldn’t do me any good in close quarters. I’ve got one of Daryn’s knives in the house.” It was in the cellar, waiting for sharpening. I could do that tonight.
    â€œFighting?” He looked thoughtful. “I suppose I ought to, with you living out here alone.” He wasn’t stupid enough to tell me that I ought to move into town—the villagers might be more dangerous to me than the raiders. “Fine. Bring your knife with you when you come, and we’ll start tomorrow.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œAren?” he said.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œAre you sure you want to bring Duck? No offense, but he’s not really a riding horse. That trail is really rough, even dangerous in some places. I could borrow one of Father’s mounts for you.”
    â€œCould you?” I said doubtfully, remembering Albrin’s reaction on the long ride to the village. My memories must have been accurate, because Kith flushed.
    â€œNever mind,” I said. “Give him some time. Duck and I will do just fine. Remember, I’ve been over the trail before—with you, as I recall.”
    He looked blank for a moment, then grinned. “And wasn’t your father fit to be tied about it, too? I’d forgotten that. Quill and I hiked up the Hob to spend our first night alone, feeling all grown-up and daring. Got to the place we were going to camp, and there was his skinny baby sister. Never did tell us how you got there ahead of us.”
    I laughed. “I was afraid to. I knew Quill would tell Father, and I’d never step out of the house again. I climbed the cliffs straight up rather than taking the route you did. It cut miles from the trip, but about halfway up, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it.”
    He shook his head, and shifted his weight so Torch started back up the trail. “Always did have a fool’s courage, I’ll say that for you. See you in the morning.”
    â€œSee you,” I said, watching him ride away. With the suddenness of spring, the wind chose that moment to turn cool, sending a chill down my spine—a chill that somehow reminded me of dark skin and cinnamon eyes.

THREE
    T he streets were empty in the predawn hours. Duck’s unshod hooves hit the dirt road quietly. A few dogs barked as I rode past their houses, but I didn’t see any people until we neared the inn.
    Merewich stood with Albrin. Even from a distance I could tell they were arguing fiercely, though in tones so hushed I didn’t even catch the echoes of their voices. Beside them, isolated by the stone-grim expression on his face, Kith stood looking out at the darkened streets, absently rubbing his hand against the side of Torch’s face. The gelding was the first to notice our approach.
    Alerted by his horse’s fixed attention, Kith said something to the other two men. By the time I rode into the inn’s cobbled courtyard, both