The Rising (The Rising #4) - Kristen Ashley Page 0,26

were that,” he affirmed.

She regarded him closely. “If this is so, I do not know why we need to go all the way to the Thicket when we can find a local constabulary and report to them. That is what King True wishes us to do.”

“They were, er…higher ups in The Rising.” He was pleased with the words he shared that he did not have to lie.

“And who were those who came up from the ground?”

And again, he was pleased he did not have to lie.

“I do not know two of them, but one was a Go’Doan priest.”

He had found in the short time he’d been in Moira’s company, she was most canny, and she demonstrated this again by asking, “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

And now Tedrey found that he could no longer utter an untruth.

But for her sake, should she actually believe the true, but fantastical tale he had to tell, he could prevaricate.

“I do not know who the woman was. But the man was not…right.”

“Not right?”

“I do not think he’s of magic. But I also do not think he’s strictly of the earth. What I think is, if you ever see him again, you must flee.”

Her eyes flashed with what he was coming to know was an unusual display of fear from her before her shoulders straightened and she declared, “We will go with you.”

“Moira—”

“I was heading to market when they took me,” she announced.

Tedrey felt his heart squeeze at the thought she was simply going about her business and she was thrown into a nightmare.

She was not finished speaking.

“Constance was in her own kitchen, baking bread. Terra and Irma were together, making apple butter and canning preserves for the winter. We were not safe in our own homes, living our own lives. The queen was killed at her son’s wedding. Our prince, nay…King True, who is the fairest man in all four realms, had a conspirator publicly disemboweled. I cannot say I disagree with this choice. I also cannot say I agree with it. I simply cannot say. My mother was not executed at my wedding. She died after being run over by an apple cart. She will never see me wed. But I someday wish to be wed, Tedrey, and I do not know what was happening in that clearing, what is happening in our realm. All I know is that the only place I feel safe right now is at the side of a man who could witness those atrocities, and when he has the chance to flee, he does not. He puts himself at risk and saves my life and those of others. That is where I have to be. So I am going to Notting Thicket…with you.”

Tedrey stared at her, his system coursing with such profound shock at her words, he was unable to do anything but just that.

When he had recovered enough, slowly, he turned his head and saw six other women staring at him.

Not Moira.

Him.

And slowly, they all nodded that they agreed.

“I have no coin,” he told them. “I have no weapon. We have no mounts, no food.”

“You are good and right in a topsy-turvy world, and for now, that is enough for me,” Moira stated, apparently speaking for all.

They were going to Notting Thicket.

Tedrey and his women.

As the decision had been made and there was no time to waste, he didn’t waste it.

“Everyone, find a stone,” he instructed. “Then go to the wall. Quickly carve your name in it and state you are well, you are heading to Notting Thicket, and they can find you at Birchlire, seeking an audience with King True.”

“Anyone who reads such a message will think us mad,” Constance noted.

“Anyone looking, and I am certain loved ones are looking for you, Constance, will not care if you’re mad. They will simply see you are alive, and they will know where you’re going. And that will be all they will need not only to help them find you but give them hope.”

Without another word, Constance did what the others were doing.

She started searching the ground for a stone.

Tedrey found his own stone and went to a section of dilapidated wood.

He thought hard, but not long, about what he would write.

And then he wrote:

Faunus, The Rising is done. But the creature has risen. I hasten to Birchlire to tell King True.

That was going to be the end of it, but he found himself turning back.

Thank you for seeking me. I hope you find me, for I