Jioni by Raconteur Honor

Author:Raconteur, Honor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy
Publisher: Raconteur House LLC
Published: 2021-12-20T00:00:00+00:00

Tran lingered at the table after the dishes were cleared and people had scattered in different directions. He had half an ear on the conversation in the far back of the room near the garden’s doors. Rune was explaining his history to an avidly listening Avis. Denney and Alex jumped in as well, explaining parts of the story from their own perspective, as their lives were tangled with Rune’s. Reminiscent of her brother, Avis held a leather notebook and scratched out notes at high speed.

Dropping into the chair opposite Tran, Grae spread out a map between them. “Tran, help me remember all the paths. I don’t think my map is accurate anymore. Didn’t we lose a path in Teherani?”

“To flood,” Tran confirmed, pointing to one on the far western shore. “A tidal wave carried it off completely.”

“That’s what I thought. I’ve been thinking about a new course since the Grey Bridges are still questionable. Without them, the best way is to go via boat across to Dykes, take a path to Kaillmark, then take a boat on Pryiam’s Waters down to Jioni.” Tran considered this route. It would shave off about two days of travel. But.… “Are you sure? That means we’re back to a longer boat ride.”

Grae grimaced. “Don’t remind me. Hopefully I can sleep through most of it.”

Snorting, Tran rumbled a soft chuckle. “You and boats. Well, Grae, I admit it seems like the better option. It’s a shorter path.”

“It wouldn’t have been if we didn’t stop in Winziane first,” Grae said. “In fact, it would have been equally fast either way, but as it stands now, I think it’s the safest route.”

“Find Shi-maee and run it past her,” Tran suggested. “We’re going off six-month-old reports and bad rumors. It’s still chancy, but I like our odds better going this direction.”

“So do I.” Grae nodded in agreement and then levered himself up, taking the map with him.

As soon as Grae left, Wolf sat down, offering a plate of freshly-washed strawberries. Tran took up two and bit into them with relish; they were juicy and sweet on the tongue.

“Up and around?” Wolf asked, half-turning to watch Grae go.

“Seems the better way.” Tran eyed the plate and wondered just how many of those Wolf intended to share.

“It’s worth a try, at least,” Wolf admitted. “Siobhan’s likely to agree.”

Tran grunted in agreement.

From somewhere in the back came a loud exclamation that sounded like Markl’s mother. Tran looked in that direction even though he couldn’t see through the walls. “She’s not happy about this.”

Wolf shrugged. “What mother would be? Our Markl’s a thinker, not a fighter, which makes her worry more.”

“It’s not like we go looking for trouble,” Tran said in mild defense. “It’s just that trouble finds us.”

“Nothing we can do about that,” Wolf agreed amenably. “Do you have the feeling Markl is using Sylvie as an excuse of sorts to stay in Deepwoods?”

Wolf had gotten that impression as well, eh? “I do.”

“Siobhan predicted months ago Markl would likely end up staying.

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