Daughter of Hauk (The Raven Chronicles Book 1) by KateMarie Collins Page A

blond!” She spoke aloud, her voice reverberated in the silence. There was no response from Y’Dürkie. Looking over, she saw her companion leaning back in her tub, sound asleep. Sighing, Arwenna leaned back and let the hot water soak into her travel-weary body.
                  A scream of rage from Y’Dürkie startled Arwenna. Searching for the source of the attack, her eyes focused on Y’Dürkie. She leaned over the edge of her tub, searching for something. The frantic search ended abruptly as she stopped and fell back in the tub again. Arwenna’s questioning gaze met with a very angry one.
                  “He is playink vith my dreams!” She snarled. “There is no honor in vhat he asks of me, he should know better!”
                  “Who’s asking you…what?” Arwenna looked at her, puzzled.
                  Y’Dürkie took a moment to wipe water off of her face. “It vas Senyan. He came to me in a dream, vanted me to abandon you and just go home to my clan. Started promisink me all kinds of treasure if I vould. He should know better than to ask me to do that.” She swatted at the water in a futile gesture of defiance. “I do not think he is himself any more, Arvenna. I think ve are going to find him fightink for the other side.” Y’Dürkie locked eyes with her, sadness over Senyan’s fate written on her face. “I do not vant to kill a friend, but he may be the exception.”
                  Arwenna’s weary fingers massaged her temple, understanding what Y’Dürkie was feeling all too well. “Let’s go back inside. The water’s gone cold, my hair’s dark again, and we need the rest.”
                  They both rose and dried off before putting on the clean clothing they’d brought with them. Arwenna looked over her gown, wondering if there might be a tailor in town. There were more than a few worn spots and patches. Just to be safe, she wrapped an extra towel around her dark hair to hide it.
                  As they returned to the inn, the sound of music being played wafted on the breeze. The inn was so crowded that no one looked their way except for Master Ian and Grenda. All eyes in the common room were focused on the bard performing. He wasn’t the best they’d ever heard, but his voice carried well. The crowd enjoyed him. On the way to the stairs, Arwenna got a quick peek at him. Long, dark hair hung loosely down, obscuring most of his face as he bent to play the harp in his lap. Something about him tugged at a lost memory. The memory slipped away as she felt Y’Dürkie pull at her sleeve. Silently, they slipped up the staircase.
                  Once back in their room, a quick perusal made Y’Dürkie confident there had been no visitors since they left. The voice of the bard, could be heard from downstairs and provided a calming feel to the room. Arwenna curled up under the blankets on one of the beds, leaving Y’Dürkie to lock the door and stoke the fire. It did not take her long to fall asleep.
                  Y’Dürkie sat up for a while longer, tending the fire and tossing her dream around in her head. She checked over Arwenna, deep asleep. She struggled to imagine some of the things Arwenna had been through lately. Yet she remained here, fighting. I wonder if Senyan’s afraid , she thought. He’s afraid of something, or he wouldn’t be trying to get me to leave her alone. She stared at the fire, but no answers came to her. The bed began to call to her weary body, and she checked the lock on the door one more time before settling in for the night.
     

 
    Chapter Eight
     
                   A rwenna chuckled as Y’Dürkie leapt out of bed, reaching for her great sword as the door creaked shut. “It’s just breakfast, Y’Dürkie!” Arwenna placed the platters onto the table as Y’Dürkie stretched while replacing her sword to its resting spot.