Firemoon by Elí Freysson Page B

them as signs of status.”
    “I haven’t seen such a weapon before. I think I would remember.”
    “Well, I am unaware of them seeing any use here around the Inner Sea.”
    Katja rubbed the spot where the spear-shaft had hit her.
    “And why are Brotherhood agents carrying...”
    She fell silent and considered the question.
    “So people will blame Valdimar’s men? Since they are on their way south anyway?”
    “It is possible,” Serdra said. “It is also possible that they hired help from the north.”
    “Perhaps,” Katja said quietly, but her mind began analysing the first possibility.
    Someone near the front of the mob suddenly stopped against a tree and waited for the two of them. It turned out to be Garan.
    “Patrekur is dead,” the man said sombrely. He walked along with them. “So is his father, Fjola, Frank and Reon.”
    “My condolences,” Katja said.
    Was it wrong of me to abandon the house?
    “We are on our way to Hollow,” the man continued. “We should get there shortly before sunrise. Many have kin there and we can shelter until we can... can decide what comes next.”
    Garan was silent for a bit.
    “The little fort to the north-east must be told of this,” he said. “If this is the start of an invasion...”
    “It was the Brotherhood,” Katja said softly.
    Garan stiffened and looked at her.
    “At least, one of them was leading this attack,” she explained. “His name is Vajan, if you want to know where to seek vengeance.”
    Garan was silent and Katja saw various feelings roiling around within him. But the strong surface was quickly back into place and he opened his mouth.
    “Well, such an attack still needs to be reported. Perhaps they can dispatch riders and catch up with them.”
    “And you want us to deliver the news,” Serdra.
    Garan looked at her, somewhat shamefully to Katja’s eye.
    “I should be able to procure horses with some people I know,” he said. “But it is not certain, and could take some time. If someone turns about now and heads for the fort they will be probably arrive there before I do. And you... you would probably be safer during that trip than anyone else here. You have shown your might.”
    “This is all perfectly logical,” Serdra said. “We can await your arrival in or around the fort and then decide on the next step.”
    Serdra stopped and so did Katja.
    “Good,” Garan said. “Thank you. Do you know the way to the fort?”
    “I do,” Serdra said.
    “Well.” The man sighed. “This has been quite some night.” He stroked his head and looked at them. “But things would have been far worse without the two of you. I am fully aware of that.”
    Katja nodded at the gratitude. She didn’t quite know which words to use.
    “Most of the others are rather shocked, but I know I can thank you on behalf of all of us.”
    He alternated his gaze between them.
    “Again, my thanks. Hopefully we will meet in the morning.”
    He jogged to catch up with the group.
    Katja watched him disappear and then turned to Serdra.
    “Well.”
    “Yes.”
    They turned around, agreeing to swing north around Blossoms and stay in the forest until they arrived at a road. Though the raider force would most likely head to Bag River County after finishing its task, the assumption was not worth one’s life.
    Katja took her leather fingerless gloves from her jacket’s pockets and put them on. The night wasn’t particularly warm and in case of another fight she wanted every scrap of protection.
    They were silent as they trekked through the forest. It was best to be able to hear sneaking enemies, Serdra seemed to have nothing to say and Katja was deep in her own thoughts on various subjects.
    One of them was her own experience of this whole matter. She sympathised with the villagers, certainly, and her words of condolences to Garan had been sincere. But nonetheless she felt a certain satisfaction at having fought. She felt no shame at not regretting killing those men but how