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Soren swept his gaze across the crowd. “Those who aren’t fighting will assist the healers and woodworkers. Gather whatever they need and as much they need. You’ll hunt, you’ll fetch water, and you’ll keep moving as long as you’re breathing. Our combat units are prepared to protect you. Which brings me to my third announcement; we have a new resource.”
Whispers moved. Several sets of eyes even darted toward Thessa. She tried to duck but it was useless. If he was about to announce her powers in front of everyone here, she may truly die before eating her last meal.
“As some of you’ve heard, the Hidden Grimoire of Eiliana is now in our possession.”
Cheers ripped through the tables before he could finish.
He waved for attention. “We’re searching through it daily, and there is promise … that I can say. We’ll be distributing a powerful Illusion Spell before our trip north.”
Thessa exhaled the breath she’d been holding.
“Lastly, I’ll ask you all to remember.” Soren tapped a finger on his heart—the same spot where the two serpent heads that coursed along his upper body met. “Remember why you’re here and remember why we hide.”
Heads began nodding in unison.
“Remember why we fight and remember those who died.” His honey mead twinkled in the moonlight as he raised his glass high. “Remember.”
Glassware all around her clinked.
When the mealcame to an end, Soren offered Thessa his hand. “Shall we?”
“This doesn’t mean I forgive you,” she warned him.
He had the nerve to smirk. “Of course not.”
A few goodbyes later, Soren was leading her to his tent. She limped along, using his calloused grip for balance.
“Echidna says,Hello, by the way.”
She frowned.I’m not talking about your pet right now.
A small laugh escaped him. “You made my father’s night when you agreed to finish reviewing the grimoire.”
“Well, he was persistent enough.” She’d taken one bite of her loin before Jussal had pressed them, as if she hadn’t just drowned.
“That, he’s always been.”
“Why would you tell the entire camp the book held promise?”
“It does,” he said. “We found the Illusion Spell, haven't we?
“That’s hardly promise,” she replied.
“They needed something. I know you’ll call it a lie, andcall it what you will, but this ismyrole to fill. Maintaining theillusionof hope is better than offering none.”
Thessa quieted, unwilling to argue. It wasn’t her place to extinguish the hope of others, whether or not she disagreed with his tactics. “Why didn’t you mention my powers?”
“That’s not my announcement to make.”
She exhaled. “Thank you for not bringing it up tonight. It’s been?—”
“A hard couple of days. You don’t have to explain,” he finished her thought.
Soren’s tent was set so far from the bulk of the camp. They were less than halfway there when weakness prevailed. She groaned, slowing a little.
“What is it?”
“It’s just sore. I’ll be fine.”