City of Towers_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [9]
The boat rose into the air. The skycoach rose along the central core then entered a tunnel. Within moments they emerged into open air, skimming past the bridges and smaller spires of Tavick’s Landing as they ascended toward the heavens. It gave Daine an eagle’s eye view of the city. There were towers upon towers, buildings that dwarfed the tallest tree he’d ever seen, and bridges ran between many of them, spanning chasms that would mean certain death to anyone foolish enough to climb the guardrails.
“Round Wind?” Daine asked, turning to Lei.
“People give their mansions names. You know, like ‘Friendly Arms’ or ‘ Welcoming Light.’”
“I’m familiar with the tradition. But Round Wind? What does it mean?”
“Oh, don’t argue over trivialities. This is it, Daine! It’s over! All those years of war, all the blood, the death … it all ends here. I’m going home.”
Daine’s mouth tightened. “This isn’t your home.”
Lei dropped her eyes and looked away for a moment. “Look, I’m angry too. My parents, my closest friends … I lost them, too. I know this isn’t Cyre. But our old life is gone, Daine, and it isn’t coming back. You’ve seen what’s left of our homeland. It’s time to move on. To start again.”
Daine said nothing. Pierce and Jode stared out at the spectacle of the city stretched before them, staying well out of the conversation.
“Have you thought about my offer? I’m sure there’s a place for you in the household.”
“As what?” Daine snapped. “A guard? Patrolling Round Wind and making sure no hippogriffs crap on his lordship’s roof?” Daine slammed his fist on the railing.
“Would it be so different—”
“Don’t, Lei,” Daine warned. “I fought for Cyre. You may think you know me, but you have no idea what I’ve sacrificed or why I served the Queen. I’m no sword for hire, and the last thing I’m going to do is work for a dragonmarked house.”
Lei looked away. When her temper was hot, she was more than a match for Daine, but clearly her heart wasn’t in this battle. “Why? What do you know of the houses? Is Lord Daine too good to work for a craftsman’s daughter?”
“How can you of all people ask me that? Have you forgotten what happened at Whitehearth? Do you expect me to forget?”
She looked back at him, and he saw the glitter of a tear in her eye before she turned away again. “Have you?”
Her words were cold water on Daine’s fiery temper. “Lei … look, Lei, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” He paused, trying to find the right words. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know. You and Jode are the only ’marks I’ve ever had as friends. And I … I’m no sellsword, all right? I’ve got to find another path. I just don’t know what it is yet.”
He held out his hand, and after a long moment, she took it. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Can you at least stay the night at Round Wind? A hot meal, a nice bed … and in the morning, I’m sure Hadran will be willing to give you a good breakfast and enough gold to get you started on whatever path you choose.”
He took a deep breath, then nodded and looked away. “Yes. Thanks. Though I think I might prefer a last bowl of your gruel. I think I’m going to miss it.”
“Not me!” Jode broke in. “No offense, my lady, but I’d just as soon never see that goo again.”
Lei smiled faintly. “I’m looking forward to real food myself. How about you? Will you be finding a place in one of the houses of healing?”
Daine had wondered this himself. If the war was truly over, it was the obvious role for a man with Jode’s talents, but healing was the domain of House Jorasco. Jode’s dragonmark hinted at a tie to the house, yet he’d never spoken of it …
“Oh, I’m not ready to settle down yet. Pierce and I thought we’d stay with the captain and see where fortune took us. Right, Pierce?”
“You won’t be coming with me, Pierce?” Lei said, surprised.
The warforged soldier glanced over at them. “I’m sorry, Lei.” His voice was deep and resonant, slow water running across stone. “I would not have survived the war without your aid. But I wish to remain with Captain Daine. The war