“Thank me?” he asks.

“For grabbing Ziva and Kellyn and coming after me.”

“You don’t need to thank me for that. I’m sorry I’m not skilled enough to have put a stop to them taking you in the first place.”

“That’s a silly thing to say,” she says.

It’s quiet for a bit, and then I hear the faint whisper of paper. Is Petrik turning a page or putting down the book? I’d have to sit up to see, and I don’t want them to know I’m eavesdropping. Kellyn’s snores from across the way prove he’s out cold.

“Why did you?” Temra asks.

“Say a silly thing?”

“Bother to save me?”

I think Petrik must be stunned by the question because he doesn’t answer for a moment. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m not the one with magic. You don’t need me. You could have taken Ziva and ran without having to deal with overzealous city folk. You probably would have had plenty of time to even go back for the horse and the supplies before fleeing the city.”

“As if your sister would ever leave without you.”

“You could have lied to her. Told her I was already dead.”

My heart hurts to hear such things, but I realize she’s right. Petrik didn’t have to do any of the things he did.

“It didn’t even cross my mind not to save you,” he says after another beat of silence.

“Smart and kind. Thank you for being you, Petrik.”

I think Temra might start to rise from beside the fire, but Petrik stops her. “You think too little of yourself. Has it ever occurred to you that there’s a reason you love the sword? Maybe you were always meant to protect your sister.” He pauses. “I know who hunts you. I know the warlord was in town. I saw her stop by the smithy. I’d been biding my time, hoping to approach Ziva. You guys left right after a visit from Kymora and went to the tavern. I don’t understand why you’re running, although I imagine it has to do with the fact that Kymora would want to bend your sister to her will. But my point is, I think the Sisters took great care in putting you and Ziva in each other’s lives. Your value is just as important and vital as your sister’s. You are just as special.”

I wish I could see the way they’re looking at each other. Or not looking at each other. I want to read the situation and maybe hug Petrik for saying just the right thing.

And knowing that he’s chosen to stick with us despite knowing who hunts us—and keeping the secret from Kellyn as well—it endears him to me even more.

Without another word, Temra lies back at my side.

I pretend to be asleep.

We pass many travelers on the road, including—thankfully—a clothing merchant. The second Kellyn spots the tailor, he runs ahead of our group and talks with the man for a while. The conversation ends with Kellyn handing over some coins. The merchant jumps down from his cart, waves away the mercenaries hired to guard his wears, and opens the back of the wagon.