Chapter 97. The Traverser

RONN

He slowly lowers the crossbow when I finish talking, but that hard glint does not leave his eyes. Grey, like stone, like clouds before it rains. Like mine.

“Say you ain’t one of them freaks, eh?” he asks in a funny, clipped accent. I can only guess where he’s from, and it’s not this far south.

“No, sir, I am not,” I reply with as much honesty as I can muster.

He grunts. “Well, I suppose there’s room for one more,” he says, “But I ain’t going as far as the city. Gotta drop stuff off at Patrain. Still got a little way ahead, but then, these beasts are the best I seen.”

He reaches down and pats them fondly. Great black geldings that seem to listen or respond to his touch only. I’ve never liked horses, and these ones are no exception. They snort or sway their great heads whenever they cross eyes with Sirgil.

I turn back to their master as he speaks. “Come along, master Rolenn. I reckon them clouds’ll be upon us in a mo, and there’s only so muc