finishing top of his healing class, and he was extremely proud of it. He’d taught me how to use it when I was younger. You just had to set the brass pin on top of a main artery, and the internal gears would detect the rest. I must’ve forgotten to put it back in his workbench drawer after the last clinic I helped with.
I swallowed. While the sight of the dials stirred my homesickness, I was more concerned with what to do with it. I couldn ’t let Ryan see it; iasometers were very specialized and there was no way I should’ve been able to get my hands on one. But discarding it was out of the question. It was much too valuable.
Sighing, I decided to buckle the straps to my forearm and roll my blouse over it. It should be safe there. Besides, I didn ’t want to feel its weight in my pocket. It only reminded me of the family I’d left behind.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Can I come in?” It was the boy from the stable yard. “I’ve brought some hot water and bandages, and your bags.”
Wow, that was quick.
“Yes, bring them in,” I called. The boy wasn’t familiar; it didn’t matter if he saw me. The door opened and the freckled boy stepped through. He set his items on the table, before dumping Ryan’s pack beside the bed. “Thanks.”
The boy hesitated. He wanted a tip. But I didn ’t have a penny on me. I sighed, and gave an apologetic shrug. He seemed to get the idea, as he simply nodded and left.
I didn ’t head to the table right away. Instead I gazed out the window. Though clouds streaked the sky, it remained bright. The square was getting busier as noon approached. People poured in, most heading for the market, though some made straight for the tavern. It would be mad by the time Ryan got back. That could work to my advantage, as Rose would be too bogged down to notice me and I’d get that big lunch he promised.
I watched the people mill about, before I turned away. My eyes fell to the pack with my crutch. An idea began to form, and I chewed my lip. I knew it was in my best interests to stay out of sight, yet I couldn’t deny this was my final visit to the town I’d grown up with. I wanted to roam around one last time, so I could get the chance to say goodbye. The chance I’d missed in Velwall.
The plan sounded better by the minute. I ’d be quick. Just a brief lap around the place, nothing more. I had the cloak and my crutch. Ryan wouldn’t even know I’d gone out.
What could I lose?
CHAPTER SIX
‘His fierce loyalty outshone all others, and that brought forth her tears...’
— Tale of the Binding
After I re-dressed my ankle, I ventured out towards the Guardsmen garrison. An odd choice of landmark, perhaps, but it had a lot factors in its favour. First, it was stationed back from the main street, so I was less likely to come across a familiar face. Second, plenty of alcoves littered the base of the turret, so if I needed to hide, that was an option, too. The last reason wasn’t so much a reason as a personal preference.
I wanted a moment to think of Adam.
The realisation I wouldn’t see him after twelve years together was finally sinking in, and since I couldn’t say goodbye to his face, visiting his second home was the closest alternative. Last time I came, I watched him in a duelling tournament. Even as a junior, he’d shown incredible talent and had got to the semi-finals. He’d lost to the man who’d gone on to win outright, but it was an amazing achievement when he was only in his second year.
I smiled. It had always been Adam ’s dream to become a Guardsman like his father and grandfather. What the appeal was I never quite understood—parading around in chaffing armour and play fighting even though we’d not had a war in over forty years—but each to their own, I guess.
When Adam got accepted, he was absolutely thrilled. Even when we were stuck with the spring rains, he grinned like it was the sunniest summer ’s day. For a short
I swallowed. While the sight of the dials stirred my homesickness, I was more concerned with what to do with it. I couldn ’t let Ryan see it; iasometers were very specialized and there was no way I should’ve been able to get my hands on one. But discarding it was out of the question. It was much too valuable.
Sighing, I decided to buckle the straps to my forearm and roll my blouse over it. It should be safe there. Besides, I didn ’t want to feel its weight in my pocket. It only reminded me of the family I’d left behind.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Can I come in?” It was the boy from the stable yard. “I’ve brought some hot water and bandages, and your bags.”
Wow, that was quick.
“Yes, bring them in,” I called. The boy wasn’t familiar; it didn’t matter if he saw me. The door opened and the freckled boy stepped through. He set his items on the table, before dumping Ryan’s pack beside the bed. “Thanks.”
The boy hesitated. He wanted a tip. But I didn ’t have a penny on me. I sighed, and gave an apologetic shrug. He seemed to get the idea, as he simply nodded and left.
I didn ’t head to the table right away. Instead I gazed out the window. Though clouds streaked the sky, it remained bright. The square was getting busier as noon approached. People poured in, most heading for the market, though some made straight for the tavern. It would be mad by the time Ryan got back. That could work to my advantage, as Rose would be too bogged down to notice me and I’d get that big lunch he promised.
I watched the people mill about, before I turned away. My eyes fell to the pack with my crutch. An idea began to form, and I chewed my lip. I knew it was in my best interests to stay out of sight, yet I couldn’t deny this was my final visit to the town I’d grown up with. I wanted to roam around one last time, so I could get the chance to say goodbye. The chance I’d missed in Velwall.
The plan sounded better by the minute. I ’d be quick. Just a brief lap around the place, nothing more. I had the cloak and my crutch. Ryan wouldn’t even know I’d gone out.
What could I lose?
CHAPTER SIX
‘His fierce loyalty outshone all others, and that brought forth her tears...’
— Tale of the Binding
After I re-dressed my ankle, I ventured out towards the Guardsmen garrison. An odd choice of landmark, perhaps, but it had a lot factors in its favour. First, it was stationed back from the main street, so I was less likely to come across a familiar face. Second, plenty of alcoves littered the base of the turret, so if I needed to hide, that was an option, too. The last reason wasn’t so much a reason as a personal preference.
I wanted a moment to think of Adam.
The realisation I wouldn’t see him after twelve years together was finally sinking in, and since I couldn’t say goodbye to his face, visiting his second home was the closest alternative. Last time I came, I watched him in a duelling tournament. Even as a junior, he’d shown incredible talent and had got to the semi-finals. He’d lost to the man who’d gone on to win outright, but it was an amazing achievement when he was only in his second year.
I smiled. It had always been Adam ’s dream to become a Guardsman like his father and grandfather. What the appeal was I never quite understood—parading around in chaffing armour and play fighting even though we’d not had a war in over forty years—but each to their own, I guess.
When Adam got accepted, he was absolutely thrilled. Even when we were stuck with the spring rains, he grinned like it was the sunniest summer ’s day. For a short
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