The rope had not been tied tightly enough to hurt. The reddened skin was from the movements of the looser rope as he’d walked and been tugged along. Fen looped it around and around as he considered the matter, eventually drifting off with it tucked securely around one wrist, the dog whining happily in recognition of someone it knew.
Four
Movement woke Fen in the moments before dawn—a few people packing up their belongings while some others sat around the fire watching water heat for tea. Many were still asleep in various spots throughout the clearing, lying straight on bedrolls or curled around one or two others, or a dog. Not many appeared to have slept as close to the fire as Fen had, maybe being sensible enough to want to avoid stray sparks.
Fen had only wanted to be warm and had been too tired to seek out a better place to sleep among so many. He would do better tonight. And today. He had months, if that, to convince Lan he could be useful, but wasn’t certain if that was even true.
Ati came out from the tent in search of some of the tea and regarded Fen with sleepy confusion without actually speaking to him. Fen’s dog companion had left him in the night. Fen didn’t see it elsewhere in the camp, or the Wild Dog himself for that matter. He might be in one of the groups of bodies pressed together.
Fen tried not to stare too obviously at those, not even when Race eventually emerged from one such tangle, one that did not include Dol, though Fen would have assumed otherwise. But Dol was likely still in the healer’s tent.
He did not ask, in any case, although he did get up and follow Race to the stream to clean up in freezing-cold water, and to inquire about important matters, such as what Fen might do to be helpful, and if Race had a comb he could borrow, or perhaps a razor.
Race had both and generously shared them, staring at Fen as the sun began to rise in earnest before saying, with a quirked smile, that what wouldn’t do for The Geon would certainly do for wild dogs. Then he walked Fen back to the camp and handed him off to a grumpy, freshly-woken Heni who was unraveling her hair knots to brush them out. She squinted then stared at Fen much like Race had.
“Merciful fae, we’re doomed,” she murmured, which Fen didn’t know how to take, so he asked what tasks he might help with. That snapped her from her sleepy staring and she waved him off. “Get ready to walk today. We’ll figure out anything else later. Actually, could you help me for a moment?” She gestured at her hair. “No mirrors here. Tell me if my part is straight?”
It did not seem much, but Fen did it, handing her wooden hair-sticks to secure her hair as well, then following a more awake and happier Heni around the camp as she helped others ready their things. Fen tried to do that alongside her but was not much good at getting bedrolls wrapped tight. What he could do were simple tasks, like fetching water, or bringing tea and a hard bun into the tent to Dol, who looked more miserable after a night of rest than he had after a day and night of walking on his bad ankle.
“This is you in plain clothing?” Dol demanded in disbelief after finishing his breakfast. He didn’t wait for an answer before asking in a hushed, embarrassed voice if Fen would help him stand, and then if Fen would help him get to the stream.
Ati put a halt to that idea, bursting in to bark at Dol to use the pot in the corner of the tent and to be prepared to ride all day—Lan’s orders. Fen nonetheless brought Dol some water for him to try to clean up before going to see if anyone knew where Dol’s things were, or if Race would allow the use of his razor again.
He was directed to the stream, where he found Race and Heni and several others conversing seriously on the bank. He didn’t know why they’d chosen that spot, but approached Race, only to freeze when they all turned as one to watch him draw near. They also stopped speaking.
It was like seeing The Acana consult with his alliance partners and the children he valued and knowing they would remain silent until Fen was gone.
Fen stopped some distance away and bowed his head. “Apologies. I am seeking Dol’s things on his behalf and will go once I have them.”
One of the smaller figures, one of the Tial judging from the hair, spoke in the mix of old and new tongues Fen couldn’t parse yet.
“Such grace and composure,” the Tial then said, in words Fen knew. “We don’t mean to stare. It’s simply strange to find in this place.”
“Studied grace and hard-won composure,” came from the stream behind them, said in a carefully gentle tone. “As some learn to use weapons and shields.”
Lan straightened from where he’d been bent over the water to wash. A few droplets trailed over his shoulders, which were bare despite the cold. All of his body to his waist was similarly uncovered, with more water trickling down from beneath his arms and probably slipping down his chest to soak into the wool of his pants. His upper arm and shoulder on the left side were decorated with a swirling maze in blue and black, the hammered needle-and-ink marks that some in the farther parts of the North still did although that fashion had died out in the South ages ago. With his back to Fen, Lan reached out for his undershirt, then slipped it on as he finally turned around.
Fen sent his gaze away, down to Lan’s feet and not the damp hair on his chest and further details on the design on his shoulder.
Lan addressed him directly. “Do you ask for food this morning, Earl’s cub—fuck.”
Fen cautiously looked up, unsure of Lan’s mood. He met the gaze fixed on him, then quickly looked to Race, who had a grin that was all teeth as he patted Lan on the shoulder.
“I didn’t?” Fen didn’t mean it to be a question. “I will now,” he added obediently.
“Dol needs his things?” No matter how bloodthirsty his grin looked, Race nonetheless spared Fen more questioning by asking that. “Maybe he can get someone tall to get them for him.”
“Race,” Heni sighed it, “you couldn’t have supported him.”
“Nor will I try again to do so,” Race insisted haughtily. “The bear can fend for himself. A part-fae might be good for a fuck, but nothing else. Is that not so, flower?”
Fen stared blankly in response. “I wouldn’t know,” he answered at last.
Race shook his head. “That is genuinely surprising. You seem like exactly the sort of person the fae would keep their eye on.”
“Race.” Lan turned to exchange a look with his advisor and perhaps friend.
“Everyone needs to be ready to leave soon,” Race continued smoothly as he turned away. “I can show you where Dol’s belongings are, flower. And get you something to eat. Follow me.”
