only one who knew exactly what you look like. Even so, I knew I needed to find you before they did.”
Ethan nodded. “So what happened next?
“The rest was sheer luck, actually. I was too late getting to Jaobin, but after I got back to Miltino I went for a drink in the Hanging Man tavern and spotted the old guy collecting those useless false papers. After that, all I needed to do was follow him.”
“Why didn’t you tell me who you were?”
“Because he intended to turn you over to the Empire,” Jonas cut in. He plopped down beside Ethan and handed him a piece of dried beef and an apple.
So far, Ethan had chosen to ignore this fact. Now he was forced to deal with it. “Were you really going to turn me in?” he asked.
“Of course he was,” snapped Jonas. He shot an accusing stare at Markus. “Tell him.”
Markus spread his hands. “Can you blame me? I was so damn angry with you.” He tilted his head and smirked. “I changed my mind, didn’t I?”
“But they would have killed me. You knew that. Whatever happened to make you this way?”
“You still have no real idea what I went through. The hell I experienced.” His smirk vanished and his voice became hard and dangerous. “The fact that I didn’t kill you the moment I saw you is a miracle. Just be thankful you’re still alive and free.”
There was a long period of silence. Ethan could see the pain dwelling behind Markus’ eyes. Maybe he was right to be angry, he thought. How would I have felt if it had been me?
“Perhaps it would be best to leave the past behind you for the time being,” suggested Jonas. “We have more pressing matters to attend to.”
“The old man’s right,” agreed Markus. “Now that I’ve killed Thaddeus, it won’t take the Hareesh long to figure out what happened. And the Imperials are looking for the two of you as well.”
“What should we do?” asked Ethan.
“We need to reach the dwarves,” Jonas told him. “There was a cave your mother was trying to reach on the southernmost edge of the Gol’Shupa Mountains. We should head there.”
Markus gave a short laugh. “The dwarves? You can’t be serious. They’ll kill you the moment they see you. No one goes there…ever.”
“We do,” corrected Jonas. “Ethan’s family has a special relationship with the dwarves. A blood oath was sworn between Praxis Dragonvein and King Vidar. They will honor it.”
“A blood oath?” mocked Markus. “You must be joking? Dwarves won’t honor anything except gold. And you’d need a fortune.”
“I’m not joking,” said Jonas. “And I assume that since you’ve decided not to turn us over, you’ll be coming along.”
“Into the mountains? Not a chance in hell.”
“Then we’ll go without you,” Jonas said.
Ethan reacted instantly. “We’re not going anywhere without Markus.”
His old friend let out a long sigh. “You can’t stay with me, Ethan. I’m not the man you once knew. Things have changed.” He pulled a coin purse from his belt and tossed it at Ethan’s feet. “This is the gold I took from you. I suggest you make for San Leon. No one would look for you on the coast. At least, not for a while yet.”
“I’m not leaving you,” said Ethan. “Not again.”
“You won’t have to,” he replied. “I’m leaving you.”
“Well I’m not,” came a voice from just beyond the firelight.
The trio leapt to their feet, Markus instinctively drawing his sword and preparing for an attack.
“Kat?” called Ethan, recognizing her voice.
A second later she stepped into the light, a devilish grin on her face. She removed the small pack hanging over her shoulders and tossed it next to the fire.
“He can run away if he wants,” she continued, nodding at Markus. “But I’m still coming with you.”
Markus let out a groan and sheathed his sword. “So this is the girl who Jared was so upset over.” He scrutinized her for a moment. “A bit young to be working for the likes of him, aren’t you?”
“I don’t work for Jared,” she stated flatly. Her grin had vanished. “In fact, no one does anymore.” She flashed a glance at Jonas, who was already scowling. “And before you say I can’t come, you should know that there are twenty Imperial soldiers less than an hour behind me.”
Jonas’ eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. And if you don’t move fast they’ll catch you.”
Markus responded quickly by racing over to the wagon and tossing out what little he had brought. “Distribute the