alliance your warlord struck with my people."
"Your people agreed to lead us to Highland villages," Roscoe pointed out. "Nothing was said about being up your ass on every little thing."
Reece fixed the man with a long stare. "Yes, we agreed to provide our services so that you lot wouldn't stumble into one of the many dangerous places up here and unleash more mayhem on the Highlands than absolutely necessary. We can't very well do our job if you won't let us." His stare moved to Darius. "I'm surprised at you. My cousin spoke highly of you. She seemed to think you made good use of the tools in your arsenal."
Darius lifted an eyebrow at the implication Reece was being ignored because he was an outsider. "The difference is, I trust these people. You—not so much."
Reece shrugged. "Fair enough, but it's an oversight that's bound to get you killed one day."
Hanna stiffened, her face going cold as her hand gripped the hilt of her sword.
"Relax, warrior. I'm not going to do anything to your precious general," Reece said, his sardonic smile not quite reaching his eyes. "The main thing you lot should know about pathfinders is we take an oath not to cause intentional harm to those we guide. Until I return you to your people, you're in my care. I take my vows rather seriously. All of us do. We're not going to compromise our honor on the likes of you. Besides, my cousin would strangle me if anything happened to the herd mistress. She's taken a liking to the woman for some reason."
"Why is that?" Caden asked, finding his interest engaged.
Reece's frown was thoughtful as he studied Caden. "Who knows? But if I had to guess, it's because she finds her honorable, even when it's to her own personal detriment. It's a trait I'm sure Shea would empathize with since she carries the same weakness."
Caden made a considering sound. Was that what it was? He could definitely see the basis of such a statement. Eva was quiet and unassuming until one of those she considered hers was threatened. Then she became as dangerous as the small, fire-breathing fox she'd rescued.
Reece regarded the rest. "So, until we make it to our destination and back again, consider yourselves safe."
"What do you suggest?" Caden asked.
Reece stared at him for several tense seconds as he debated whether to pick up the gauntlet Caden had thrown.
Caden waited. Impress us, pathfinder. If you can.
Reece's lips widened, his smile containing a hard edge. "Moving on would be best. There's a plateau to the west that would be a good place to rest. It just so happens there's a small city called Slig that should have several healers to help with your injured."
"How far?" Darius asked.
Reece shook his head. "A day or two, at most."
"How do we know if we can trust these people?" Hanna asked.
Reece shrugged. "You don't, but it would take a brave group indeed to challenge a hundred of Fallon's best warriors, even if a quarter of them are wounded."
Darius considered. "Very well. We'll take today to rest and then tomorrow we'll head out." He cast a glance at the pathfinder. "That satisfy you?"
Reece shrugged. "It'll do."
Ghost snickered. "At least you have balls, I'll give you that."
Reece sent the man a wicked smile. "We're not like the Lowlanders you're used to. You've seen the winters we endure."
There was a collective groan as the others moved out. No one liked to be reminded of the hell of a Highland winter. Caden had never tasted cold of the sort the Highlands survived on a yearly basis.
All the fires and furs in the world hadn't managed to chase the entirety of its grip from his bones.
Darius lingered after the others were gone. "Why do I get the feeling this is just the first salvo?"
"Because it is," Caden said. "This will get much worse before it’s done."
The men he'd taken out last night hadn't been simple Highland folk. They'd been organized and trained. Not as well-trained as he was, but disciplined enough that he'd been glad he'd sent Eva to safety before engaging.
He hadn't shared how close he'd come to death. He probably wouldn't have made it if not for the fox she'd left with him. The creature had interfered at the exact moment Caden had needed him.
"Brace yourself, my friend," Caden advised. "A storm is coming with enough power to reshape the Broken Lands if we're not careful."
*
We'd get there faster if we were flying, Sebastian said