His stomach growled in response. Bastian sat up and pulled his breeches on. They were still filthy. Covered in Connor’s blood. He’d have to wash them later. Maybe Tressa would keep him company while they were drying.
Running a hand through his ruffled hair, Bastian stepped out into the cool morning. He hurried to the fire, the sweet scent of cooking meat beckoning him closer. “It smells amazing.” Bastian reached out and gave his mother’s shoulder a small squeeze.
She smiled. “Thank you. We do what we can here. You’re lucky it wasn’t lentil soup to break your fast.” Jayne leaned over the fire and turned the spit. “Today we have venison. Fenn felled a deer yesterday before he found the two of you.” She stood up and looked around. “Where is Tressa? Still sleeping?”
Bastian’s mouth watered. “No. She’s already up. Not out here with you?”
Jayne shook her head. “Maybe she took a walk with Fenn.”
“Who took a walk with me?” Fenn asked, walking into the clearing from the tight thicket of trees, an axe hefted over one shoulder and firewood tucked under the other arm.
“Tressa.” Bastian sat down on the log. “Is she with you?”
Fenn didn’t answer. He set down the axe next to the pile of firewood and carefully stacked the rest on top. “She didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?” Bastian asked. He popped a piece of venison into his mouth. He wasn’t quite sure what venison was, but he liked it. A little dry. Nothing like the meat he’d grown up on – pigs and cows were their only source – but it was better than nothing. He licked the juice off of his fingertips.
Fenn stared at Bastian. “I thought for sure she’d tell you before she left…”
“Left?” Bastian sat up. “What do you mean left? Where did she go?”
Fenn looked back at the forest. “Last night she and I had a talk.”
“Yes?” Bastian stood. He stalked over to Fenn. “What about?”
“She was concerned for your safety, Bastian.” Fenn reached down and plucked off a piece of venison for himself. He blew on it, the steam wafting in front of Bastian’s face.
“Where is she?” He held back from grabbing Fenn’s shoulders and shaking him. Fenn was Tressa’s father. He deserved respect for that, though Bastian’s temper was rising and he wanted answers.
“She went back into the fog.”
Jayne gasped and dropped the rest of the venison she’d been cooking into the fire. “Oh no!” She wrapped her hand inside her dress and tried to fish it out without burning herself.
Bastian reached in, grabbed the meat, and pulled it out, quickly dropping it on the dirt. Then he looked back to Tressa’s father. His face was sad. Eyebrows furrowed. Corners of his mouth turned down.
“You’re lying. She wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t leave without me.” Tressa had sworn that last night while they made love. She’d said they’d always be together. That she loved him. That they’d work through this together.
Fenn shook his head. “I’m sorry. I saw her leave. She called the owl.”
“Nerak?” Bastian asked.
“Yes, Nerak. They left together, heading for Hutton’s Bridge.”
Bastian kicked the log he’d been sitting on. It rolled a few inches closer to the fire. His mother placed a hand on his arm, but he shrugged it off. “Damn her!” He spun around and stared at Fenn. “Why? Did she give a reason for this madness?”
“She said she could sneak through the forest with the owl. That she could find her way back and lead the people out.” Fenn sighed. “She was worried you would be hurt like your friend Connor. She said she couldn’t stand to lose you like she lost him.” He paused and took a deep breath. “I told her to tell you before she left. I begged her to.”
“She didn’t. Obviously.” Anger swept through him. He clenched his fists, attempting to stop the tremors. “How long ago was this? Early this morning? Late last night? When?”
“Late last night.” Fenn shook the dirt off a piece of venison, then popped it in his mouth. “She came outside when I was putting out the fire for the night. We had a nice talk about home, but then she started telling me how guilty she felt about Connor’s death.”
“I thought we were going to find medicine first.” Bastian paced, trampling the grass underfoot. “This doesn’t make any sense. Why would she just change her mind and leave for Hutton’s Bridge?”
“She’s a very strong-willed girl. I’m proud of her.” Fenn locked eyes with Bastian. “She was doing this to save you.”