"I'm looking for news from the lord's compound," Ronan said as he handed the girl a generous tip. "The empire is an unstable place these days, and we hoped it would be calmer out here."
"It is," she said. "The trouble hasn't reached this far."
He added two more coppers to her palm. "So nothing at all?"
"Something did happen inside two nights ago. Rumor says men from the imperial city slipped past through the forest. We've seen more activity inside his lord's compound since then. They say his warriors are preparing."
This was not good. Either the emperor was simply alerting all his warlords . . . or someone in the imperial city had figured out this was where Tyrus would run.
"Is there news from the city?" Ashyn asked. "The last we heard, they still hunted the traitor prince."
The girl stiffened. "If you mean Prince Tyrus, then I've heard no news, but I'll warn you to watch your tongue when you speak of him."
"And why is that?" said a man at the neighboring table. "He is a traitor, girl, and a coward to boot. If the goddess is just, he's rotting in a field somewhere."
A man from across the tavern strode over. "Prince Tyrus apprenticed under Lord Okami and many here know him. The girl is right. Hold your tongue. He's not had the chance to defend himself. I'll wager his story is vastly different."
"I'll wager it is, too, because a bastard isn't above lying--"
The second man hit the first, knocking him almost into Ashyn's lap. Ronan sprang to his feet, grabbed her arm, and pulled her toward the exit as others joined in the brawl.
"Apparently, I ought not to have mentioned Tyrus," she said as they hurried outside.
"Apparently."
When they'd first stepped out, Ronan had warned Ashyn not to rush off. They didn't wish to look as if they'd incited a riot and fled. Nor did they want to lead anyone back to their camp.
Others had left the inn, too--those not wanting to be caught in the melee. Fortunately, they simply hurried past.
"Let's go," Ronan said. "Quickly."
"I thought--"
"There are two warriors at the inn doors watching us."
When she made a move, he grabbed her arm. "Don't look over."
"Presuming they are behind me, I believe I was turning in the other direction, toward the forest, which is where we are headed, is it not?"
He nodded.
"I'd suggest you let me storm off, as if we've argued. Then you give chase. That provides us with an innocent excuse for speed." Before he could reply, she took a step back. "Truly? Truly, you blame me for that? I asked an innocent question--"
"I did not mean--"
"Did you even hear what I asked? I'll wager you didn't. You were too busy ogling the serving girl and giving her our hard-earned coppers. I've had enough. Find your own sleeping blanket tonight."
She wheeled and broke into a run.
FORTY-NINE
Tova shot from his hiding place, caught up, and raced along beside Ashyn when he could, behind her when the forest grew too dense. Ronan took over the lead. They'd barely gone a hundred paces before he stopped her.
"Enough. We'll not hear them pursuing if we're crashing through the woods."
She stayed behind him as he cut a silent path through the forest. In truth, she wasn't even certain which direction to go. It all looked the same in here. Ronan seemed to know, though, stepping surefootedly through the dense undergrowth.
Then he stopped, his arms out to halt her, as if she might barrel past. He tilted his head and peered into the woods. Tova's nose worked madly, as if he too had picked up something but was equally uncertain if it posed a threat. When Ashyn herself listened, she heard only the sound of a small animal scurrying. After a moment, Tova grunted, as though agreeing that's all it was. Ronan didn't look quite so certain, but they started forward again.