Shield of Fire (A Bringer and the Bane Novel) by Boone Brux Page B

hair to his muddy, but expensively made, boots to memory. From the look of his mount, the monk had wealthy connections.
    Orvis shook his head in response to something Powell said and then pointed down the road toward Itta.
    “Well done, Orvis.”
    “What is he doing? Is Powell still there?” Ravyn’s voice wavered.
    “Yes, but Orvis is sending him toward Itta. We’ll travel in the opposite direction.”
    Orvis pointed toward the inn as if inviting Powell to have a meal. The monk shook his head. The innkeeper waved his arms as if trying to cajole him off his horse.
    “Don’t overdo it, Orvis.”
    “Overdo what?” Ravyn still stood pressed against the wall, unwilling to look out the window. “He’s not coming in, is he?”
    Rhys watched the monk shake his head. Finally, Orvis delivered a convincing show of acceptance and gave a quick bow. Powell scanned the front of the inn and its patrons. His gaze tracked up the side of the building, lingering at their window. Rhys didn’t move. He doubted Powell could see into the darkened room but he didn’t want to draw his attention with any sudden movements.
    “What’s happening?” Ravyn whispered.
    Rhys didn’t reply and after a several seconds, Powell kicked his horse and headed toward Itta.
    Rhys dropped the curtain. “He’s gone.”
    Ravyn released a heavy breath but didn’t appear relieved. “He’ll be back.”
    “Perhaps.” He walked to the door and stopped. “Get dressed. We need to get you healed as quickly as possible. I’ll wait outside.”
    He stepped into the hall and pulled the door shut behind him, trying to not imagine Ravyn naked mere feet away. Rhys straightened, on alert as footsteps thumped up the stairs at the end of the hallway, but he didn’t relax when Orvis turned the corner. Rhys met the innkeeper midpoint, away from Ravyn’s hearing.
    “You had a visitor,” Orvis said.
    “I saw. What did he want?”
    “He was looking for a girl and the man who kidnapped her.” His unspoken question hung in the air.
    “Yes,” he flicked his head toward their room. “She’s the girl he’s looking for, and no, I didn’t kidnap her.”
    Orvis crossed his arms over his belly. “I didn’t think you had, but a man can never be too safe when it comes to his family.”
    Rhys nodded but didn’t elaborate.
    “You’ve never given us any reason to mistrust you. I won’t start now. Besides, the monk gave me an uneasy feeling. Can’t put my finger on it but he wasn’t acting right.” He pointed to his head. “In here.”
    “Thank you for your help. Once Ravyn is healed, we’ll be on our way.”
    “As long as you’re honest with us, you’re welcome here. Can’t fight what we don’t know about.”
    “Of course.” Rhys clasped Orvis by the shoulder and extended his hand. “I’m in your debt.”
    Ravyn’s voice floated from under the door. “I’m dressed.”
    Orvis’s eyebrows raised and he smiled. “Best not keep the lady waiting.”
    Rhys smirked but didn’t dissuade the man of his notion that there was more than protection between Ravyn and himself. Let Orvis think what he wanted.
    Rhys entered to room to find Ravyn sitting on a straight-backed chair in only her shift and a blanket draped over her shoulders. Her posture was stiff.
    She stared at the wall. “I need your help getting dressed.”
    “Of course.” He closed the door and grabbed another chair on his way across the room. “Let’s heal you first, and then dress you.”
    She nodded but still wouldn’t look at him.
    He opened his saddlebags and pulled out his healing pouch. Unlike before, he removed only the pendants, placing one over his head and one around Ravyn’s neck. There’d be no need to change the fresh bandages until morning. He sat facing her. She shifted to the edge of her chair but her spine remained unyielding.
    “Relax. This won’t hurt…much.”
    Her eyes darted to his face and he smiled. Her posture softened slightly. “Have you ever healed