Ronan strode in, caught her by the shoulders, and kissed her cheek with a loud smack. “You are a genius. Have I mentioned that?”
“Not lately.”
He grinned and squeezed her shoulders. Guin came in and shut the door as Ronan and Ashyn moved farther into the room.
“You were absolutely right,” Ronan said. “A few of Alvar’s mercenaries and bandits are here, recruiting. They’re finding able-bodied young men and women and offering them positions. They’re being very secretive about it, and of course no one wants to admit to being approached, but nor does anyone dare report them. Not that there’s anyone here to report them to. They’re choosing well, canvassing small settlements like this, without any regular guard.”
“You’re sure that’s what’s happening?”
“They approached me and asked my views on the current situation. When I said I hadn’t made up my mind, the man started telling me why my life would be better under Alvar. He said the rebellion needs young men like me, and I could be raised to the warrior caste if I demonstrated an ability for battle. I told him I’d consider it.”
“Wise,” Ashyn murmured. “These aren’t men you wish to cross.”
“It’s also the truth. I am considering it.” He flashed a broad grin as she looked over, shocked, and when he spoke again, his voice strummed with excitement. “Think of it, Ash. Where better to get information on Moria? On the entire situation? I could be a spy.”
“No, you could not.”
He paused, his mouth open. When he shut it, his face darkened. “If you think I could not handle it —”
“I’m sure you could, but —”
“I have martial training. I could be a warrior.” When she opened her mouth, he cut her short with a wave. “I don’t mean truly ascend to warrior caste, Ash. I mean within their ranks. That would get me more information than if I was working the stables.”
“It could also get you killed.”
Guin cleared her throat. “I’m going out. I saw a vendor selling sugared plums —”
“Yes, yes,” Ronan said. “Go.”
Once she’d left, he rolled his eyes. “We’re discussing a serious situation, and she flits off to buy sweets.”
“I don’t want to talk about Guin. I want to talk about you. There are men on Alvar’s side who’ve seen you. Who know you’re with us. Barthol and his confederates —”
“He wouldn’t recognize me. I look like a hundred other low-caste brats.”
“And Gavril? Let’s say they make you a warrior, and they present you to Alvar Kitsune. Do you not think Gavril would be at his side? That he’d not recognize you?”
“There would likely be many warriors present. Gavril wouldn’t notice me.”
He gave the argument weakly, and Ashyn could tell she was gaining ground.
“What about your brother and sister? How would you check on them?” She paused for a moment, thinking fast. “I’d have to do it for you.”
“What?”
“Someone needs to stay with them. We can’t trust Guin to do it. So I would.”
“You, living in the city? The exact twin of the girl wanted for highest treason?”
She lifted her chin. “It’s a risk, but if you’re taking one, so will I. You’ll infiltrate the ranks of Alvar’s men, and I’ll infiltrate the city. We must both do what —”
“Enough,” he grumbled. “I may call you a genius, but I would prefer you used that genius to help me, not thwart me.”
“I would never —”
“Don’t give me that wide-eyed look, Ash. It worked well when we first met, but you’ve learned much since then.”
“I have an excellent teacher.”
His scowl deepened, but only for a moment before he shook his head and took her hands. He held them for a moment, fingers rubbing the backs of them.
“There are times when I think those teachings are for the best,” he said. “And times when I regret them.”
“Because I use them against you.”
He looked up. “No, because I fear I am a bad influence.”
She pulled her hands away. “I’m not a child, Ronan. I would have you teach me more. I ought to know how to steal, how to —”
“Absolutely not.”
She looked him in the eye. “I’m not asking because I think it would be fun to take things that don’t belong to me. I’m as much an exile as Tyrus and Moria, even if no one speaks my name with theirs. As long as I cannot walk into a town and ask for shelter and food, I am reliant on you.”
That smile quirked the corners of his mouth. “I don’t mind that so much. I ought to, I know, but —”
“That won’t work. I’ll not be distracted. I want to learn —”
Tova got to his feet and stared at the door. He looked toward Ashyn and whined.
“He hears something,” Ashyn said.
She walked to the door and cracked it open. Lanterns and torches still lit the darkness, perhaps a few more than before, but the people carrying them only milled about, as if they weren’t sure why they were out of doors and were looking for a cause.
Ronan brushed past onto the walkway. “I don’t see anything…”
A man’s voice sounded beside him. “If you’re joining us, you’d best hurry. That was the signal.”