Ava simply nodded, refusing to allow any emotion to show on her face. She turned to find the best way through the Venyatu column to the Rising Wave beyond.
Why had Luc suggested that? Because he believed she could heal his friend, or to see what happened to the wound? What magic she could work.
She hated that she was suspicious of his motives.
“If you’re sure you’re up to doing it, I’ll come with you,” Taira said, watching Raun-Tu’s back as he galloped off again. “I liked Frederik. You know he believes some crazy story about the Commander’s sword?”
“I’ve heard something about it.” Ava didn’t want to hear the story again. It might lead to Taira bringing up the other story. About the witch who enspelled the Commander of the Rising Wave.
“There’s one about a witch, too.” Taira kept her eyes ahead, and Ava’s stomach sank.
“A witch?” She couldn’t help that her words sounded dead, even to her own ears.
“Who escaped with the Commander and enspelled him.” Taira glanced at her.
“Me, you mean?” Ava asked, and then found a spark of anger inside her. This defeat was the Queen’s Herald—her cousin’s—intent, and when had she ever, ever not fought him? With everything in her.
“Where did this story come from?”
Taira shook her head. “Unknown. But obviously ridiculous. I just thought you should hear about it from a friend rather than anyone else.”
Ava forced herself to laugh. “They must be talking about another woman, because I’ve only just seen him again after two months.”
“That’s what Deni said!” Taira laughed, too, although Ava thought it sounded genuine.
By the time they’d found the healer’s tent, set up a little way away from the moving column beside a large cart, Ava had made a decision about how she was going to proceed.
She had a gift. But that didn’t mean she had to expose herself to harm.
So she would do what good she could, while keeping her secrets to herself.
She couldn’t think of the way she’d exposed herself to Luc. There was nothing she could do about that, except react to the consequences.
Whatever they may be.
She took out her silver needle, and her own thread when the thread the healer offered her was too thick.
She knelt down and had Frederik lie back on her lap, angling them both toward the sun so her arm didn’t create a shadow.
She forced herself to concentrate as she sewed.
This would heal well—very well—and there would be a beautiful scar. Straight and fine, but there. Proof of an injury received in a fierce fight.
There would be no cause to wonder how it disappeared. Because it wouldn’t disappear.
She kept that in her mind as she worked her needle in and out of his skin.
“You look fierce,” Frederik told her, voice a little hoarse. “Like you’re fighting.”
“Maybe I am.” She was fighting her perfectionist nature. The compulsion to make things whole.
But she was going to be careful, and protect herself, whatever Luc’s motivation for putting her in this situation.
She leaned back, and Frederik sat up.
“That is good work.” The Rising Wave healer, a woman in her late fifties, with short, thick white hair held back from her face with a headband, studied his face. “Can I call on you again?”
Ava nodded, but she would have to keep a check on Frederik. Make sure his scar didn’t disappear.
And if it did, she would have to tweak her response the next time she did this.
There was a groan from inside the tent, and Ava realized it was Revek.
“How bad is he?” she asked.
“He shouldn’t have pulled out the arrow. That’s my job.” The healer’s annoyance was clear. “He’s lost a lot of blood. When I’ve finished with the clotting poultice, perhaps you can sew him up, as well? Your handiwork is far superior to mine.”
Ava gave a slow nod. “If he lets me. He’s suspicious of me.”
The healer gave a snort. “He’ll do what the Commander says.”
Ava didn’t think Luc would force Revek to deal with her, but then again, he did know what she could accomplish when it came to arrow wounds.
So perhaps, for the sake of his friend’s recovery, he would try to force the issue.
“I’ll help if he agrees.” She looked over at the march of soldiers, the roll of the wagons. “What will you do when they pass you?”
“We’ll put everyone into the cart who isn’t able to ride or walk on their own, and start moving soon. Revek should be all right to travel in a bit.”
Taira had been talking quietly to Frederik, but she stood, squinting up at the sun. “I’m back on shift this afternoon, so I have to go.”
“I’ll come along.” Ava didn’t know where she stood with regard to her own shift.
She was fully healed now. Her cloak had done its job. So she would find Deni and get her orders.
“I might come find you tonight,” the healer said as Ava swung up into her saddle. “Revek should be ready to be stitched by then.”
“You’ll find her with your Commander, not on our side,” Taira said with a grin.
Ava nodded, but she didn’t think that was true any longer. And for tonight, at least, she liked the idea of the quiet privacy of her hidden tent.
Luc had eagerly taken the opportunity to put some space between them. She suddenly realized she wouldn’t mind doing the same.
Chapter 17
“Is it enchanted?”
Luc looked up from cleaning his sword to see Frederik standing on the other side of the campfire, eyes gleaming in the firelight.
“No.” He wiped the blade down one last time with the oiled cloth and then slid the sword back into its scabbard.
“They say it is.” The young soldier stepped closer and then sat down.
Luc’s mouth twisted in a wry grin. “Who’s they?”
Frederik lifted his shoulders. “The other soldiers. The stall traders. Sometimes the cooks.” He turned his head to look at Luc. “Rafe says you’re as good as you are because you’re Cervantes, and you train hard.”
That wasn’t completely true. Luc stared into the flames. He had taken a chance on Ava’s protections. Run in front of an arrow.
They hadn’t let him down.
“Listen to Rafe.” Luc stood. He had been avoiding Ava, but suddenly he needed to speak to her. Work out what had happened today.
The crawling sensation of invisible eyes on him had faded, and he couldn’t blame her for hiding as she had. He wanted her safe. Was glad she’d been able to get away from the Kassian scouts.
They needed to talk about her abilities.
Speaking of which . . . “Did Ava sew your cheek?”
Frederik turned his head so the firelight illuminated the left side. “Yes. The healer says she’s never seen such a neat job.”
Luc crouched down to examine it. It looked perfect. And like it was already healing. “We’re lucky to have someone with Ava’s skill.”
He suddenly realized the position he’d put Ava in by making the request to Raun-Tu. He hadn’t spoken to her about it.