Tahlen inclined his head. “I would like them to be known as more than the family who… perished as they did. Perhaps I should speak of them more.”
“Well,” Zelli finished hesitantly. “Good, then. Tell whoever you wish—want—to tell. Whenever you feel like doing so. I’m sure they’ll be pleased to listen.”
“As you would be?” Tahlen asked, but didn’t wait for an answer. He came over to Zelli and knelt down, offering his body as a mounting block yet again. “We should get going.”
“Right. Yes.” Zelli caught a glimpse of his dusty boot in Tahlen’s hand, then he was getting settled atop Lemon Blossom.
“You’resupposed to ordermearound,” Tahlen remarked, the glimmer once more in his eyes when Zelli turned to look at him.
“I am seeking counsel before making a decision,” Zelli informed him loftily after staring for a beat too long. “And thank you.”
Tahlen’s hand was warm over Zelli’s knee for another moment after that. “You’re welcome.”
They stopped without dismounting when they came to a crossroads where the main road connected to a lane that divided two swaths of land. The smaller path was either a shortcut formed over generations by regular travelers in order to reach the other large road that went up and down the valley, or it was a lane the landowners had put in to make their work in these fields easier and it wouldn’t extend very far. But if there were people hiding or sneaking through the valley, they wouldn’t be found along the main roads. A point Zelli made.
Tahlen, of course, reminded him that unless they encountered friendly farmers or grape growers, they were not likely to find comfortable places to sleep, and what food they had with them would have to last until the journey back.
Zelli took his eyes off the horizon and smiled at Tahlen despite how he felt inside. “But you brought more for that purpose?”
Tahlen arched an eyebrow but gave in with a sigh. “Yes.”
“Then we go on.” Zelli attempted to say it with even a fraction of Tahlen’s resolve, then stilled at the warm clasp of Tahlen’s hand around his ankle. The touch was not Tahlen’s skin to his, but nevertheless, Zelli dropped his shoulders in relief.
“Don’t wait until it’s worse,” Tahlen ordered, stern. “I can worry over you if you can worry over me. You said the oath was mutual,” he added, destroying any argument Zelli might have offered.
“You know, you have a stubborn way about you,” Zelli told him anyway, “in addition to your stiff kindnesses.”
“So, you have already learned that about me.” Tahlen crooked a smile, there and gone, but enough to send Zelli’s thoughts to the clouds. “And you’re meant to learn something from this, aren’t you?”
“I wouldn’t have expected you to be so calm about it,” Zelli told him, marveling a little. More than a little.
“To live with the fae near, you have to appreciate them, even the things they do that puzzle you. I’ve had years of that already, so why should this be different?” Tahlen lifted his hand, leaving it out for Zelli to reach over to take, which Zelli did, grasping it tight until much of the ache went away.
Zelli found he could not meet Tahlen’s eyes and wasn’t sure why, since Tahlen didn’t seem to mind. Zelli flushed in the shared moments of silence and only reluctantly pulled away.
He reached out again not long after, uncertain until he caught a glimpse of another of Tahlen’s quick smiles. Then he did not know what to do, or feel, besides the squirming warmth in his chest where the ache had been. But he didn’t let go, either.
Eight
They did not encounter anyone as the sun rose higher and then began to fall, but they did find themselves staring at a waystation that was not on any map of the valley the Tialttyrin possessed. Situated between several fields, one of which was a lumber field, full of young trees in varying stages of growth, the station was somewhat small, with a firepit in the center surrounded by rocks that must have been dug out of the ground during plowing. It was near one of the irrigation streams, obviously for water, and it had no covered stable area.
The farmers and hands must have built it for when they worked around here. It was certainly better than camping out in the open, especially in the winter, when the grape growers froze but had to see to their vines. Zelli wondered how many of these informal waystations there might be. They were worth mentioning to Grandmother. The Tialttyrin might supplement their firewood supplies, or give a stipend toward their maintenance, provided lost travelers were permitted to use the stations.
Tahlen poked around the building, inside and out, then grunted to let Zelli know he was welcome to come inside. Behind the waystation was a pile of old vines and some wood from felled trees. Tahlen brought logs in and Zelli started a fire before the chill of the fog reached them.
Zelli hadn’t packed a roll to sleep in, but he had his cloak, and he was dressed in layers to make up for his lack of armor, and it was, technically, still summer.
Tahlen did not relax despite the fire and the food Zelli eventually set out. He stood at the edge of the building, watching the fog draw nearer.
“If there is a force from another family in this valley intent upon harm, they will be lost in the fog the same as anyone else,” Zelli called out after a while.
Tahlen turned to give Zelli a look that bordered on sour, but came away from his sentry duty. “If we do get visitors, you should not announce that you’re a Tialttyrin.” From how unhappily Tahlen said it, Zelli guessed he was fretting. But, considering that Tahlen was prepared to fling himself between Zelli and threats, Zelli couldn’t fault him for it. He nodded his agreement.
Tahlen exhaled for that, then sat down at last. Unlike Zelli, he sat on one of the rocks. The rocks were flat enough, but not particularly comfortable. Zelli was fine on the tamped earth, seated with his legs crossed. He had devoured cheese, apples, and a boiled egg while Tahlen had stared down any approaching enemies, and now had his comb out to get the road dust from his hair.
His night on the ground would be uncomfortable, but at least it wasn’t winter. As adventures went, it was a mild one, and Zelli was determined to be content and not complain. Then Tahlen sat down next to him, his knee close enough for Zelli to lean against it, perhaps inviting Zelli to touch it if needed, and Zelli realized he had not considered the sleeping arrangements.
He was still not complaining, but things might get awkward.
