“My name is Hawes,” the man said, extending a hand. When Felix ignored it, he shrugged and tucked his thumbs into his belt. “Just thought I’d say hello. See if all your companions are alright.”
“We’re fine, no thanks to you. Now run along.”
Hawes chuckled again. It grated on Felix’s nerves. “You’re good with a weapon. Better than most.”
“I know.”
Another chuckle. Infuriating. “I’ve seen my fair share of killers, mind you. Most are either elegant or brutal. Not often both. Where’d you learn to fight?”
Felix was rarely interested in small talk, and certainly not in flattery. “Look, Hawes. I don’t know why you’re here, kissing my ass in the middle of the night, but I’m not in the mood. Leave me alone.”
Hawes scratched his beard. “Look, man. I want to offer you a job. Second-in-command, if you want it. I know a hired sword when I see one, and you’re almost at your destination and – I am going out on a limb here – probably almostout of a job. The Bears are a solid company, with good pay and steady work. None of that southern ‘we’ll pay when the moon is right’ bullshit, either.”
Felix stared at him, momentarily speechless. “I killed your second-in-command today,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Now you’re offering me her job?”
Hawes shrugged. “I’m not a sentimental man. It’s not a job without risks, Rolla knew that.”
“Right, well, the answer is no.”
Hawes blinked in surprise. “You sure? It’s a good offer. We don’t hire just anyone.”
Was he being stupid? Felix hadn’t thought about what would come after. He didn’t know what Isolde had in mind. She probably had plans, but would he be a part of them? What would she still want with him once she reached the Nexus? Once she had all the answers she was looking for? Once her father inevitably returned into the picture? His eyes swept over the sleeping figures of his companions, landing on Isolde last. If he wasn’t part of her plans yet, he’d simply have to convince her to change them.
“Yeah, I’m sure. I have things to do.”
“Hmm,” Hawes said. “The girl, eh? Sounds like a lot more trouble than it’s worth. Regardless, the offer is open if you change your mind.”
“I won’t.”
Hawes chuckled again as he walked off. Felix shifted, forcing himself to unclench his fingers from around his axe handle. He only got to enjoy a few minutes of peace before a new set of footsteps approached.
“That was well done,” Garren said quietly.
Felix glanced back, his eyes narrowing. “Didn’t know you were awake.”
“Didn’t know you could turn down easy gold,” Garren replied smoothly. Felix tried to study his face, but the darkness hid most of his expression.
“I’m not leaving her, Garren. I don’t care what you think,” he said.
“You think that will be for you to decide?”
Felix crossed his arms. “At least partially, yes.”
He expected Garren to scoff, or even laugh. To make a derisive comment. But the older man simply nodded and gave Felix a highly uncharacteristic clap on the shoulder. “Well,” he said, “I hope you are prepared to fight for it. Because you’ll have to, before all is said and done.”
Before Felix could respond, Garren turned around and left him to his thoughts. Felix stared after him. He didn’t know what would happen at the Nexus, and had even less of an idea of what would happen after. It would have been wise, perhaps, to accept or at least consider this offer. But he wasn’t very wise. Isolde washis,and he wasn’t about to give her up. Not for anything.
33
The Nexus
Twilight bled across the sky in streaks of red and blue and violet, the sun sinking behind the jagged line of the horizon. Shadows stretched thin on the cracked ground, and the only sound was the wind and their footsteps on the rocks.
Isolde felt it long before she saw it – a hum, a weight in the air, thick as early morning fog over the lake back home.
They crested the final ridge, and the Nexus came into view.
She didn’t know what she had expected. A fortress perhaps, stark and imposing, with black stone towers and iron gates and battlements. Not this.
