Page 100 of Keldori By Daybreak

“This is fresh. I just caught it four days ago.”

“That’s impossible. It takes a long time to make meat into jerky.”

“In Keldori maybe. Here we have Skal, remember?”

“But now we also have money, right? Does Skalterra have burgers?”

“Burgers?”

“You know, hamburgers. Meat patty between buns with lettuce, onions, pickles, side of fries.”

“I’m not sure Skalterra has those, no.” He frowned. “But let me see what I can do.”

I walked with my head craned back so I could watch the colorful tapestries that passed overhead. They were strung between buildings and over alleys, and the massive willow tree that sat at the center of the citadel gleamed in the spaces between. Ciarán took my hand to better guide me through the sparse night crowds, and I let him, too focused on the strings of vines that swayed in the breeze high above us.

He must’ve washed while I was still unconscious, and Orla had picked him up some clean clothes as well. They were lighter than his usual dark garb, and with his eyes like this, I had to keep reminding myself that he wasn’t Liam.

“Why aren’t you glowing?” I asked suddenly, pointing to my own eyes.

His cheeks reddened, but he kept his eyes forward. “Northerners aren’t well liked because of the stories surrounding the Frozen God. I blend in better like this.”

“Oh.” I grabbed his hand, emboldened by the lightness of my head.

“Plus you seem to like it more.” He smirked.

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do,” he crooned in my head.

I released his hand and swatted at his shoulder. “I’m getting used to your eyes.”

That was at least true. What I was less used to at this point was seeing Liam’s eyes on Ciarán’s face.

He led us down an alley and through the low door of a dark establishment that smelled like meat and spices. Candles on wooden tables lit the space in dusky, flickering light. I took a seat at an empty space in the corner while Ciarán spoke to a man at the counter.

The only other city in the Barony I’d been to had been the capital, Vanderfall. It had been bright with steamed Skal that ran from shop to shop, and while the citadel was just as busy at a late hour, the Baron’s iron-tight control over the Skal in her region was more obvious here.

The only light in the restaurant came from candles, and only a couple of the many patrons bothered to wear Skal goggles atop their heads whereas they’d seemed to be an essential accessory in the capital.

Ciarán fell into the seat opposite mine and pushed a streaming plate with two round buns towards me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“A burger.” Ciarán held his hands out towards the food as if to show it off. “The meat isn’t a patty, but it is inside a bun with onions. No lettuce, I’m afraid, but there’s a pickle.”

He turned the plate so I could see the pickled cucumber on the side.

“Impressive.” I nodded.

“Rabbit jerky would’ve been cheaper.”

“We’ll need that when we’re traveling again.”

“I can catch another rabbit.”

“Oh, yes, because you are very good at catching. How many months did it take you to catch me this summer?”

“I was injured, and you aren’t a rabbit.”