Page 49 of For the Ghastly and Beautiful

Chapter15

Adelaide

DAY THIRTY-SEVEN

Rinya had a talk with me yesterday.

She thought it was important to explain that hand-holding and cuddling wasn’t always acceptable outside of the bedroom. She stressed the points of needing both hands to wield some swords and survival requiring all of our focus when in the forest.

I listened to her lecture before I snorted and rolled my eyes, because I don’t need those kinds of assurances from men. And I get the gist of survival here.

Now I understand why she insisted on making sure I understood her tangent.

Talodus casually strolls beside me as we walk the guards’ route, but he barely speaks as he surveys our surroundings. I can tell he isn’t thrilled about bringing me so far outside the village. He can’t deny Isolde’s request, and she was pushy about us needing to have this field trip today.

So far, it’s achingly boring.

We’re maybe a mile or so away from the stone wall around the village. It’s close, but still far enough that I can only see the distant plumes of smoke from the square. The thin gray lines snake into the sky, distorting the view of beautifully fluffy clouds before they disperse.

I’ve taken to using the blunt end of my spear as a walking stick, even though the Mongrels’ territory is all flat marshland. Talodus isn't amused with my lack of self-preservation instincts.

“What will you do if we come across danger?”

I whip the pointed end of my spear down until it’s chest level, jabbing at the air as I quip, “The ancient Romans used their spears the same way, and they were always ready for war.”

“Are you an ancient roman?”

“No. I was a modern day Floridian, though I suppose I’m now a modern day Mongrel.”

He cuts his gaze in my direction, attempting to hide his humor. “You don’t poke at things with a spear.”

“I know, but call me resourceful. I could poke, slice, and swing if needed. Why limit myself to only being able to throw my weapon? Especially when I have a single shot.”

“Fair,” he acknowledges. “We’ll start working with other weapons after you learn some more control with your element.”

Talodus stops for a moment, motioning around us with his index finger. “This is where one route ends and another begins. We should run into Marren up ahead.”

“How do you know this is the spot?” I swirl my index finger around us.

“Mushrooms.”

He points at the tiny purple fungi, and Alice in Wonderland flashes through my mind before I squint at him.

“What?” I ask slowly, drawing the single syllable out.

“We planted mushrooms along the route. Ten clusters mark a section.”

“We haven’t passed ten.”

He shakes his head. “No. We started in the middle.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” I rub my forehead. “Unless I’m going to be put on guard duty, I think this is something I can skip learning about today.”

A man appears in the distance, twirling a dagger as he swaggers toward us. His brow creases as he gets closer, but he tips his head when he recognizes us.

“Ada, this is Marren Elderlake.” Talodus tells me, and when the man stops in front of us, he continues his introductions. “Marren, this is Ada Stormbrave.”

“You’re Rinya’s friend, yes?” His voice is nearly the same rumble as Tal’s husky baritone. “She speaks well of you.”