Shadowguard

A war?

Everna dropped her head into her hands and sighed. It was as if she were standing on the edge of a bottomless pit that only grew larger the more she learned. It began as a small crack and now it loomed before her, massive and gaping and threatening to swallow her whole. What started as a murder and a framing grew into something so impossibly large that she couldn't help but feel small and powerless.

As her irritation waned, she deflated. That one word tore the wind from her sails and left her floundering as the magnitude of what she was dealing with finally dawned on her. A war?

There was no end in sight. Each time she thought she'd taken several steps forward, something sent her stumbling further back. They'd dealt with Windmore — finally — but there was still the assassin to deal with. Godwin as well. Now the Courts.

That was assuming there wasn't anyone else they'd overlooked.

Would it end with Pendel?

Gods, what deity had she offended to deserve this? How many more people were going to risk their lives because of Shroud's obsession with her?

Her father placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "Hopefully, with Windmore arrested and Shroud's plans falling apart, they'll cut their losses and pull out altogether."

Wil hummed in agreement. "They lost the only foothold they had when Corden arrived — and with a High Knight about, they'll have no choice but to tread carefully."

She pursed her lips. "Or they might get bolder. You saw what they did in Windhollow! You saw what they did here! The whole town hall's missing. More than that, you put a target on your back today. If they find out who you are and that you're the one blocking them at the highest levels of authority — "

"Swe —" He paused, his eyes darting to her father. "Everna, I was in the same position you are a few years ago. Almost to the letter. They're fully aware of who I am. At least the upper ranks are."

"Is that why you stepped in?"

He was silent for a moment, his gaze distant. A bittersweet smile, though one more pained than anything, turned his lips. It was the most emotion she'd seen from him yet.

"Let's just say I owe it to someone who's not around anymore."

Just as Everna thought the conversation came to an awkward halt, the tavern's doors opened. Her father sat up, prepared to inform the newcomers that the tavern was closed for the day, but she waved him off. She knew who it was. She could hear the telltale clacking of heels against the stone pavement.

Cedric sauntered into the taproom, snickering. Vina stomped in after him, her face flushed and nostrils flared. There was a thick leather-bound book in her hand, the pages worn with use and the leather peeling at the corners.

"I regret to inform you we've reached our capacity for idiots today," Everna called. She took another sip from her bottle. "We have a strict no-tolerance policy for bitches, as well. Sorry, but both of you need to vacate the premises."

Vina sneered at her. "Then why are you here?"

"I live here. Why are you here? I don't recall inviting you over."

"Shroud's poking around the safe house," Cedric said, waving a dismissive hand. "And Vina was too much of a coward to stay. Where's my sister?"

"Upstairs, rifling through my book collection," she said. "I'd wait until she comes down. My mother has a habit of flinging knives at people who aren't supposed to be in the house. Where's Adela and Dain?"

"With Osain at the Guard post."

Her father tensed at the mention of Osain. Odd.

"Ah, sorting out the citizenship, then. Which reminds me," she turned to her father. "I'll explain later, but I promised a couple of people a place to stay — one's a child."

Her father pursed his lips. "His Highness —"

Wil sighed. "I told you not to call me that."

"His Royal Pain in the Ass," her father corrected, rolling his eyes, "mentioned that earlier. Far be it from me to turn a way a child. Certainly not after something like that."

Everna bit the inside of her cheek. If Wil mentioned the incident with the Enforcer, her father made no indications of it. She suspected he hadn't; she'd never hear the end of it if her parents knew. Her father would strangle her for her recklessness.

Vina glanced around the taproom, her nose raised and scrunched. "This place is revolting. Though what can you expect from a lowly tavern? It's no place for a child, that's for sure."

"Since when did you care about children?" Everna asked.

Dain and Adela had made themselves scarce during their stay in the safe house; they only emerged from their shared room when necessity demanded it. Beyond a few brief words, and the occasional inquiry about their wellbeing, Everna had hardly spoken to them. They were both struggling to come to terms with what happened, though Adela seemed to bounce back more quickly. Last Everna saw her, she managed a smile, at least. Dain barely acknowledged her, or anyone else, most days.

Vina, to no one's surprise, vehemently protested their presence. She insisted they didn't need a couple of useless Wilders taking up space and wasting their stores. She especially took issue with Adela's habit of waking up crying in the middle of the night.

And Everna had thought Vina couldn't stoop any lower.

"Don't like it?" her father asked, disgust twisting his face. "Then leave."

"Please," Wil groaned, pressing his fingers to his temples. "Do us all the favor and leave. No one's in the mood to deal with your shit right now."

Vina's face reddened further, fury burning in her eyes as her gaze shifted from Wil to her. With a contemptuous huff, she stalked off to the far side of the tavern and flung herself into one of the few remaining chairs. Cedric hurried after her and snatched the book from her hands, fending off her feeble attempts to retrieve it.

"Anwellian swine," her father spat. "They think they own everything. More of Shadowguard, I assume."

"You assume correct, unfortunately," Wil grumbled.

"Evelina will be thrilled. I wonder how long it'll take her to slap the piss out of that one."

"It won't be fast enough," Everna said. She slid off the stool and set her bottle aside. "I'm heading over to the post to check on Adela and Dain. Cedric's flirting is making me sick to my stomach and I need out of the tavern for a bit."

"You're not going alone," her father said. "Not after what just happened."

"I don't need supervision every second of the day. Gods be, what's next? I'm not allowed to sleep in my room by myself?"

"You better be sleeping alone."

She rolled her eyes. "You are unbearable, you know that? Truly. You and Mom both."

Ignoring her father's response — something about her being far too young for men — Everna slipped out of the tavern and into the street, Wil begrudgingly following. She wasn't sure how to justify his presence. With his leathers and his hood pulled up, he stuck out like a sore thumb, but perhaps it didn't matter. If the town hadn't figured out something was amiss, Windmore's arrest would certainly tip them off.

Good, she thought. It’s high time the town got their heads out of their asses.

As her mother said, it would only get worse from there.