She nodded and kept going.
Luc had managed to rid himself of his companions by the time she reached him, and she thought he would have done it on purpose, to keep what they planned between them.
“It’s the wine merchant. The trader who did business with him is busy heaving up his guts right now, so I wonder whether he thinks to cause us some problems in other ways, too.”
Luc looked over at the traders, and then slid off his horse. “The captain is getting them back to the column.”
“I told him you had cause to be suspicious of the wine merchant, and that the wine might be off, or poisoned.”
“Good.” He turned to the caravan. The traders were packing up. “There’s the wine merchant, at the front of the caravan.”
She saw a large, bluff man with jowled cheeks and hard eyes, and pulled out the fabric she’d used earlier. Added a few things to it.
She didn’t know if it would still work the same way or not, but she thought it safer to boost it.
“I can’t sell you more than I already have. I have to have stock for Fernwell.” He spoke to them before they’d even reached his table.
“Oh, well, that’s a shame.” Ava broke off the thread with her teeth and held out the fabric to him. “I was hoping—”
He reached for the embroidery, almost snatching it from her fingers. “A wine carafe leaning against a tree?” He looked up. “It would look good etched into my casks.”
“It would. A distinctive symbol.” She started stacking the few remaining carafes under her arm. “Where would you like me to put these for you?”
“Oh, in the cart. Thank you.” He bent and lifted a basket full of bottles, and led the way.
Luc said nothing, following behind like a shadow.
Since he’d taken the fabric, the merchant hadn’t even looked Luc’s way.
She didn’t waste any time once they were inside. It would look strange the longer they stayed here after the others had left.
“You have some messages for the Queen?”
He paused, and frowned, and then gave a shrug. “Yes.”
“Can I see them?”
He hesitated. “I’m not supposed to show anyone. Not even supposed to look at them myself.”
“Of course. We just need to check they’re safe. We’ll bring them back tomorrow morning, early, for you. The caravan will spend the night here, and go first thing tomorrow. And everything will be where it needs to be, safe and sound.”
“That’s a relief.” He leaned across to the other side of the narrow cart and began unstacking boxes.
When he reached the bottom one, he lifted the lid, and amongst the sawdust packing, were two scrolls.
“We’ll just make sure all is in order.” Ava lifted them out, and in their place, she set two of the bottles from the basket he’d brought in.
As soon as the empty spaces were filled again, the merchant let out a breath of relief. He closed the lid.
“Keep this box out, so we can quickly put things back to rights tomorrow morning.” Ava saw his thumb was moving back and forth over the fabric. She would have to leave it with him. But she didn’t know whether the compulsion would fade over the night or not.
“It’s a pity you aren’t feeling well today.” To her ear, it sounded clumsy, but she needed to keep him away from the others in the caravan tonight. “But you’re right that a good night’s sleep will probably do you the world of good.”
“You’re very kind.” He stumbled to his feet as she tucked the scrolls under her cloak.
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning, to give you a soothing remedy from our healer. But until then, I hope a good rest will help.”
“Very kind,” he repeated.
He was already drawing the canvas at the back of his cart shut when she jumped to the ground.
“I never thought you’d take the scrolls from him.” Luc kept his voice whisper quiet. “I thought you’d ask to have a look at them.”
“I thought we might alter them, if it looks feasible.”
He shot her a grin. “Now that’s a good plan.”
The Rising Wave cart had already left, she saw. And her horse with it.
Luc swung into his saddle, and reached for her again.
His strength and agility were incredible to her.
She held tight to the scrolls and leaned into him as they started back. “We need to hurry. I’m not sure how long my working will last. I’ve convinced him he isn’t well, so he won’t mingle with the other traders, but we should really return these within a few a hours to be safe.”
Massi and Rafe suddenly came up on either side of them.
“What were you up to, Luc?” Massi asked.
“I’ll tell you when we’re in my tent. Rafe, can you get word to the General to come as soon as she can?”
Rafe peeled away, galloping with a whoop into the dusk. Massi stayed with them.
Ava could feel her eyes on her.
“Where’s your horse?”
“I lent it to one of the traders to help carry what she bought back to the column.”
“And what were you doing—”
“Enough, Massi. We’ll explain everything when we get to my tent.” Luc’s voice was harsh.
He still hadn’t forgiven her for Revek’s attack.
Ava ran her hand in circles on the small of his back and looked over at Massi. “You feel hurt, because before, Luc would have told you what he was doing, and you would not have to ask what was going on.”
Massi said nothing.
Luc sighed. “It was spur of the moment, Mas. We had to act immediately. You’ll know soon enough.”
She gave a stiff nod and with a yip, gave her horse its reins and galloped ahead into deep shadows as the last of the sun’s face dipped beneath the horizon.
The column began to light up—fires coaxed to life, lanterns hung from poles.
“It looks its best right now, just as the sun sets, when you can still see the shapes of everything, but they are softened by the shadows,” Ava murmured.
“Truth be told, it always looks its best to me. Because I never thought we’d get so far, or be so many.” Luc slowed his horse, as if to prolong their time together, before they reached the column, and the tricky conversations ahead.
“Thank you for keeping my secrets.” She knew it might cost him dearly in the long run.
“I look after my own. And you are mine.”
She believed him. “And I’ll do everything I can to protect you. Because you are mine, too.”
Unfortunately, she may not be able to protect him from herself, or the baggage she dragged along behind her.
Chapter 23
The General walked into Luc’s tent moments after they did.
Ava could see curiosity in her eyes, and pent up energy in her movements.
She had brought Raun-Tu and Heival with her.
“General.” Ava bowed her head. “This will have to be just for your ears, and then you can choose what you share with your lieutenants.”
Raun-Tu bristled. “Avasu, you do not tell the general—”
The general lifted a hand and he snapped his mouth shut. “This concerns some things we spoke of earlier?” Her gaze flitted from Luc, to Massi and Dak, then came to rest on her again.