“Of course not?” She hadn’t meant to answer in the form of a question, but Bryony was still trying to come to terms with the creature she was staring at, rather rudely, not that he seemed to notice as he lifted the back of his cloak and drew out a long, blue tail, which immediately rose into the air, defying gravity.

“My kind are called the Mantarra. We have no true home, as we’ve been hunted close to extinction in the Southlands for many years.”

“I—I’m sorry. That’s horrible. But I’m glad you escaped. Were you being hunted too?”

“Yes, but not just by humans.” He left it at that, though clearly he’d left a lot unsaid.

“As long as you know the way to Comman Dur, I don’t care where you’re from or who you’re running from. How soon can you leave Dunmire?”

“Hmm, it could be difficult given my many obligations here. Say sometime between immediately and right now?”

She couldn’t help but smile at his dry wit, made more poignant by his unexpected appearance. Bryony never would’ve expected someone who looked like a lion to be adept at the fine art of sarcasm. “Works perfectly for me. Here is your advance payment, as agreed.” She located two gold coins from the pouch in her pocket and handed them to him, her fingers brushing his fur as the transaction was completed. It was incredibly soft.

“I wish to clarify one thing. My friend told me that I would receive another two gold coins once you were delivered safely to Comman Dur. Does that mean you won’t require an escort back to Dunmire?”

“That’s correct.”

“Meaning you plan to remain at the prison for an extended period of time?”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“Ahh, I get it. You do not wish to reveal your purpose for visiting the kingdom’s most notorious prison nor the path you will take afterward. Fair enough.”

“I’m glad we understand each other.”

“Then let’s get moving, shall we?”

“Lead the way.”

Twenty-Eight

Ludo

Lostwood, North of Dunmire, Finfalla

He’d spotted her angling northeast toward Dunmire. Not following her had required effort, a purposeful turning of his head toward the wall of endless forest standing before him like an impenetrable fortress. What fate Lostwood held for him couldn’t be foreseen, not even by the Daughters of Ereniel.

Would it be the end of something or the beginning?

Perhaps both, he thought wryly, reshouldering his pack and striding under the thick nest of shadows cast by the towering trees. As it had the last time he’d entered Lostwood, a sudden and all-encompassing sense of calm surrounded him, as though the foliage exuded some invisible substance that he’d breathed into his lungs. He felt strong and capable, more than usual anyway. It felt like, well…

Like he was coming home.