What Matters Most (8 page)

"Press that one, and the left eye on the adjacent face,"

Kyros directed. Raslin did so, and a small panel on the top of the box popped open. He flipped it open, revealing a deep cubby.

There were three gold coins in the box, along with a silver ring set with a single green stone.

"What are they for?" Raslin asked, frowning. The coins were just coins; there was nothing significant about them that Raslin could see. The ring could be anything though, and Raslin wouldn't know its import. Raslin pulled it out of the box, studying it in the firelight cast by the stove.

"Distraction," Kyros said. "I need to add something to keep them from rattling, but I haven't gotten around to it yet."

"There's some fabric scraps—" Raslin started, but Kyros shook his head.

"That's not important," Kyros said, pulling the box closer.

"You can only do this with the first compartment open. Then you press here … and here … and keep the box flat on the table." Kyros placed his hands carefully along the edges of the box, slowly and deliberately so that Raslin could follow along.

Another flap popped open, thin and small, along the bottom of the box.

Kyros slid the tray out, revealing a compressed, folded stack of papers, and that made more sense than the coins and the ring. He unfolded the pages, studying them for a moment before passing them to Raslin. Raslin took them, automatically catching the thick iron key that fell out as he took the sheaf of papers.

The top page was a deed to a house in Mykon, a coastal city that was clear on the other side of the country from where Kyros had said Ailynn was going. The second was a page authorizing Ailynn to withdraw funds from a bank account in Mykon set up under the same Timel Akab. Another page authorized payment of fifty gold coins to someone named Ambry Terrin.

"What is this?" Raslin asked, even though he was sure he knew. "I thought you didn't want me to know where you were moving Ailynn."

"I didn't, but it's necessary now," Kyros said, sitting back in his chair and accidentally kicking Raslin. "Sorry."

"It isn't necessary now," Raslin said flatly, folding the papers back together without bothering to read through the rest of them. He shoved them back at Kyros, slapping the key down on top. "If you want me to pass them along to Ailynn's transport, I'll do that, but—"

"I'm not leaving until she's safely on her way," Kyros said firmly, picking up the key and the papers. He refolded them neatly, then tucked the key into the folds. "If the council's men show up before my people, then I'll give myself up. That won't stop them from taking her, to ensure my cooperation, so you'll have to hide her until Jallen and Ambry can take her to Mykon."

"No," Raslin said, frustration and anger sweeping through him again. What was wrong with Kyros? Why did he persist in throwing himself into danger? "You'll both hide—"

"They'll burn the village down to find me," Kyros said flatly, pushing his hair out of his face with an impatient gesture. "I'm not risking that. That's if someone in the village doesn't give me up anyway. Once people hear I'm wanted for murder, someone will give me up."

Raslin scowled. "You can make a break for it, and I'll hide Ailynn. They'll know you were here, but we can make it seem you tried to run for it with Ailynn."

"It might not happen anyway," Kyros said, shrugging in dismissal. "I'll leave the box in your bureau. If they do a search, they'll think it's yours and the coins and ring won't raise any suspicion."

"You're not giving yourself up," Raslin said adamantly, not letting Kyros change the subject.

"It shouldn't be an issue. The snow is keeping everyone away," Kyros said, tucking the papers back into their slot in the box. "This is a last resort, and I don't think it will actually happen."

"Then why plan for it?" Raslin demanded, scowling.

"Because planning for every possibility is the only way I've managed to stay out of the council's reach this long," Kyros said tiredly. Raslin bit his lip on the suggestion that it would be easier with two of them to do the planning.

"Right," Raslin said, watching carefully as Kyros slid the bottom compartment back into place. He stood, crossing to the chest by the fireplace. A moment's search found a spare rag, and he brought it back to the table and handed it to Kyros.

Kyros wrapped the coins and ring in the cloth and tucked it back into the box. Clicking it shut, he gave it a shake, getting only a small thud for his trouble.

"Thanks," Kyros said belatedly, studying the box distractedly.

When it became clear that Kyros wasn't going to say anything else, Raslin walked away. He headed for the front door, where he'd left his boots and jacket. Maybe a day's work away from Kyros would set his head back on straight, though Raslin rather doubted it.

"Really, Ras," Kyros said, as Raslin pulled on a boot. Raslin nearly lost his balance trying to turn around and pull on his boot at the same time, but a bit of creative hopping saved him.

"Thank you for everything, especially looking after my mother. I know it's not something you were looking for."

"Don't be an idiot," Raslin said, straightening up and stamping his foot to settle the boot he'd pulled on. "We've already had this conversation."

"I know," Kyros said, smiling wryly. He slouched in his seat, and then glanced at the wall opposite him, looking distracted.

He opened his mouth to say something else, but shut it without a word.

Raslin waited a moment, but Kyros didn't speak up so Raslin went back to putting on his boots. He pulled on his jacket, then paused, turning back to Kyros. "Stay here and get some rest."

"Yes, mother," Kyros said, slanting him a smile. Raslin rolled his eyes, fastening his jacket shut with quick, well-practiced movements. Kyros' eyes followed his hands, and Raslin could feel his face heating under Kyros' gaze. He wanted more than Kyros' eyes on him, wanted more than the half-realized dream of Kyros in his bed, but he wasn't going to get it.

Raslin left, before he could say something that would rile Kyros, like let me come with you. Kyros hadn't gotten angry at him since the day he'd arrived. Raslin wasn't sure if that was because the topic of his return to Alesdor hadn't come up or if Kyros had been too tired to control his temper the day he'd arrived in Ourenville.

There were only a few days left until the Solstice celebration, and most everyone was preparing for it. Nearly every available surface in the square was decorated with greenery from the forest, most of it dusted with snow. The bonfire burned in the center of the square, heralding the pending festivities. It would burn throughout the festival and then after for as long as there was wood to feed it.

Raslin usually loved the solstice festival, including all of the preparation and work that he did in the days leading up to it.

This year, however, he couldn't seem to summon his usual cheer. Ailynn was behaving in much the same way, and that was unusual enough that a few people had asked Raslin if she was all right. Raslin had started sowing the seeds of rumors that Ailynn might be traveling soon to visit a sick relative, since that was what he'd have to tell everyone once Ailynn and Kyros left.

Ailynn was visiting a sick relative; Kyros was headed back to the city, because there was absolutely nothing for him to be running away from. As far as Raslin and the rest of the village were supposed to know, Kyros was happy and thriving with his studies to be a mage.

Kyros seemed positive that the council would be sending people to Ourenville, but Raslin wasn't sure he could lie convincingly enough when the time came. He hoped for Kyros'

and Ailynn's sakes that he could. He didn't want to screw that up, but he couldn't even convince Kyros that going back to Alesdor was madness.

Sighing, Raslin shook his head as his steps took him through the village. He didn't have anything in particular to do today, but he could always find work. That seemed the smart plan—to keep himself busy until Kyros and Ailynn left so he wouldn't think about being left behind, and then keep himself busy after they left so he wouldn't think about running off to join Kyros.

If Kyros hadn't been killed or starved himself to death by that point.

Maybe he would move at the end of the winter. Raslin pondered that, nodding in greeting as he passed Ailynn's neighbor. He could go to the nearby city of Islar; it was a day's ride south and, being young and fit, he could probably find work. It was better than spending the rest of his days in Ourenville, doing the same things and dealing with the same people day in and day out.

He'd rather go with Kyros, even if it was dangerous. Kyros would never ask him to go, Raslin knew that. He was too wrapped up in keeping everyone but himself safe. Raslin couldn't force his way in, either. Kyros would find a way to lose him or make him stay.

Raslin reached the square, pausing as he took in the roaring bonfire and the people milling around. There were children underfoot everywhere, and Raslin reluctantly cracked a smile as a pair of boys chased each other around the square, yelling at the top of their lungs. He and Kyros had been like that once, and he really, really needed to stop clinging to the past. Kyros wasn't his to worry about, and Kyros obviously didn't want him to do any worrying at all.

Shoving the thoughts out of his head, Raslin went to tend the bonfire for a while. He'd barely taken two steps, however, when a strange sound distracted him. A pair of horses came up the main path on the far side of the square. They led a carriage, and Raslin's heart briefly stopped. No one but tax officials ever visited Ourenville in carriages; most people simply rode in on horses or came with peddler's carts.

Turning, Raslin headed back out of the square; he needed to warn Kyros and then head to Hally's to hide Ailynn until he knew for sure who the carriage was transporting.

"Ras!"

Raslin hesitated, then stopped, even as he thought he should pretend he hadn't heard it. Turning, he found Theri standing next to the carriage, waving him over. Raslin stifled a sigh, wondering if he could buy time for Kyros.

"These men are looking for Kyros," Theri said as he approached, gesturing up at the two men seated on the front seat of the carriage with a gloved hand. She was practically unrecognizable, wrapped in a thick jacket that easily doubled her width.

The two men didn't look like they were officials of any sort.

They wore thick travel cloaks that had obviously seen better days, and the carriage itself looked much the same. It had faded paint and missing moldings under the snow and mud that had accumulated through its travels.

"Oh?" Raslin asked, striving to keep his tone light. "What in the world would have you travelling all the way out here for Kyros? He's headed back to Alesdor in a few days."

"Kyros asked us to help him get his mother to Tristowne,"

the man on the left said, his voice smooth and cultured. Raslin relaxed, still suspicious, but that fit with what the cover story Kyros had concocted to explain Ailynn's absence. It was possible the men were imposters, though Kyros hadn't mentioned that as a possibility.

"I see," Raslin said, smiling though he didn't feel at all like smiling. "Kyros should still be at the house. I'll show you the way."

"Ailynn's going to Tristowne?" Theri demanded, looking aghast. "Why?"

"Sick relative. A great-aunt? I'm not sure the relation, but she didn't want to tell anyone yet because of the festival,"

Raslin said, the lie rolling off his tongue smoothly. "She'll probably be gone a few months, maybe a year."

"Oh," Theri said, her face falling. She and Ailynn were friends, Raslin knew. "Of course. I'll let everyone know to not mention it to her."

"Thanks," Raslin said, smiling crookedly. He looked up at the men on the carriage. "It's nice of you to help Kyros out like this."

"Kyros is a good friend," said the man sitting on the right.

His voice was the complete opposite of his companion's, rough and accented, though Raslin had no chance of placing the accent. "We're happy to help."

Raslin nodded, gesturing across the square. "The house is down that way." Raslin led the way, waving to Theri as they passed; she looked unhappy at the news Raslin had dropped on her. Hopefully she'd spread it further, as well as keep people from pestering Ailynn about it. Theri was good at gossiping, but also well-respected enough that if she said to leave something be, people listened.

"You're Raslin?"

"Yes," Raslin said slowly. "Who are you? I didn't get your names."

"Jallen," the man with the smooth voice said. A quicksilver smile flashed across his face as he jerked a gloved thumb at his companion, who was guiding the horses at a slow walk to keep pace with Raslin. "This is Ambry."

"Did the snow slow you much?" Raslin asked curiously, because for all intents and purposes the roads nearby should be terrible. At least the names Jallen and Ambry matched with what Kyros had told him. There was every possibility the two men were imposters, but Raslin didn't see what the purpose of such subterfuge would be.

"More than we'd planned," Jallen replied easily, as though it didn't matter to him that he was arriving days late. Raslin nodded, lapsing into silence as he led the way through the village. Jallen and Ambry didn't make any attempts at conversation, and Raslin passed the short trip trying to figure out what to do if they turned out to be imposters.

Ailynn's house came into view far too quickly, and Raslin left Jallen and Ambry outside with a somewhat terse order to stay with the carriage. Letting himself into the house, Raslin shut the door loudly behind him. Kyros was settled in a chair in front of the fireplace, and he looked up sleepily at Raslin's entrance.

"Two men just showed up," Raslin said without preamble.

"They say they're here to help transport Ailynn to Tristowne."

Kyros stood, all trace of sleepiness gone. "Where are they now?"

"Out front," Raslin said, not moving away from the door.

"They said their names were Jallen and Ambry, but I wouldn't know them from guards."

"Right," Kyros said, moving to one of the tiny windows at the front of the house. He twitched the curtain back a few inches, looking outside. "That's them." He visibly relaxed, and Raslin let out the breath he'd been holding.