Maren Goldweaver's Arc

Chapter 21 of 42

The village sat in a hollow of gray rock, roofs patched with tar and nets drying on the fences. Maren pulled her hood low. Miller had warned them on the walk: Registry notices had come up the coast fast, and her face was likely on every post by now. A copper coin to anyone who pointed her out. She kept her head down and followed Miller past the first cottages. Gisela walked close to her left. Kato trailed behind, quiet, one hand near his belt. The cub rode inside her coat, breathing slow against her ribs. A hand clamped over her mouth from behind. An arm hooked her waist and pulled her back against a chest she knew. "Miss me, darling?" Maren went still. Topper. She had left him unconscious on his own floor after the cub broke his mind open for the cipher. She had sworn she would never see him again. Miller spun, knife already out. Kato stepped wide to flank. Gisela froze. "Easy, blacksmith." Topper's mustache brushed Maren's cheek. His breath was warm and smelled of cheap beer. "Your pretty friend and I are just catching up. I saw the notice on the tavern wall. Nice likeness. Ten silver, it said." Miller's knuckles went white on the knife. "Let her go." "After what she left me with? Guards kicked my door in the morning after she walked out. Took my books. Took my coin. I spent a week in a cell explaining a cipher I don't remember cracking." His arm tightened. "So no. Not yet." Maren swallowed against his palm. She could feel the cub shift under her coat, still too weak to help. "Name your price," Miller said. Flat. No wasted words. "Ten silver won't cover it." "We don't have silver." "Then what have you got, hero?" Miller's jaw worked. He looked at Maren. She saw him choose. "You come with us," Miller said. "Food. A share of whatever we get. You keep your mouth shut about her face. You walk when we say you walk." Topper laughed once against her ear. "You're offering me a job." "I'm offering you her life for yours. Take it." A long pause. Then the hand slid off her mouth. The arm loosened. Maren stepped forward and did not look back until she was beside Miller. Her legs shook. She locked her knees. Topper strolled around into view, smoothing his shirt. "Partners, then." He grinned at Miller. "Try not to snore." Miller did not lower the knife. "One wrong word in this village and I open your throat." "Charming." Gisela stepped close to Maren. "Who is he." "Someone I paid off once," Maren said. "He's with us now." She pulled her hood tighter and walked. Behind her, Topper fell in beside Kato, whistling low. The notice was already on the tavern wall. Her face was worth ten silver in every village from here to home, and she had just bought one man's silence with a seat at their fire.