"Nope," Jimmy replied.
"What? No?" Mayra broke in, "Why no??"
"I don't know a darned thing about this poem you handed me. Ain't got use for poetry. And I already gave you that flower, what else do you want from me?" Jimmy eyed them indifferently and shrugged.
"Jimmy! I brought you FOUR butter tarts! Can't you help us at all?" Mayra was incredulous.
"Not after your monster told me off," Jimmy churlishly replied. "What a mean old thing she is."
"Monster??" Finn cut in.
"Yeah, that fire-monster of yours found me in my dark place and yelled at me about not interferin' with the war or I'd mess up everything. She said she'd already told you all you need and I shouldn't give a word more."
"... You mean Gwen?" Roland had been startled by the Fae's true form when first encountering her in the Darkness.
"I didn't ask her name. Fire monster's a good enough description. She was mighty concerned that I don't foul up the war. Like I'd ever. Self-righteous busybody, she was." Jimmy frowned in contempt.
Finn couldn't imagine Gwen being mean and was perplexed by Jimmy's strongly negative opinion until Mayra spoke.
"She kept replying to your thoughts, didn't she?" The younger woman suppressed a giggle.
"Busybody! A man's thoughts is his own particular business. Invadin' my private property and then my personal thoughts! It's downright reprehensible." His jaw worked in agitation.
Finn exchanged a look with Roland that very nearly sent them both into spasms of laughter. He covered his with a cough while she suddenly saw a spot on her skirt she needed to vigorously brush at.
Jimmy narrowed his eyes at both of them. "So, as you can see, can't help ya or that fire monster friend you have'll roast me alive."
"I don't think she'd do that," Mayra smiled, then paused. She actually wasn't sure what the Fae were capable of with their many powers. Still they were helpers, not attackers. As far as she could tell they were perfectly safe.
"Well, normally I'd get rid of trespassers, but fire monsters are beyond me." Jimmy mumbled something further under his breath that would not be heard in polite company.
Finn sighed and turned to Roland. "I'm sorry the journey out here was a waste of time," She truly felt bad about leading him to what was apparently a dead end on his only remaining day to gather information in Klain.
"No time spent with you is wasted," He took her hand and smiled.
"I'm sure that's not true, but I appreciate you saying so," Finn smiled at him. "I just wish I could have helped more with the prophecy."
"We still have the entire afternoon to get back and spend in the library." He smiled, "The day's not gone yet and we'll keep searching for something useful."
"Well I see I ain't needed here. If you see your friend tell her to stay away from me." Jimmy spat, snatched the rest of the butter tarts from Mayra, and vanished.
"Bye, Jimmy!" She called, "Enjoy the tarts!"
"Hmph." The reply floated to them on the breeze.
"Why would Gwen prevent him from helping us?" She turned to Roland and Finn.
"It sounded like his interference wouldn't be in our best interest?" Roland guessed.
"I don't think our best interest is necessarily what the Fae seek, but the Sorcerer's will." Finn replied. "Although, she did seem determined to help us. I guess we have to trust that she's doing what is best."
"I bet that gave him such a fright," Mayra whispered with laughter in her voice. "Gwen's true form is something to behold, and to show up in Jimmy's quiet retreat to tell him what to do! No wonder he doesn't like her," She giggled, then stifled it, knowing Jimmy might still be close enough to hear.
"It's definitely intimidating, to say the least," Roland agreed. "When I went into the Darkness to look for Gabe, and she was there, it was terrifying."
"I hope she comes back soon," Finn said, "I'll feel so much better when we have enough herbs to put up a barrier around the city."
"I'm sorry I had to use what you gave me," Roland squeezed her hand.
"Don't apologize, you did what was best. We couldn't let that spy continue to sabotage everything. Did the Council tell you anything about the state of the emergency stores or the town evacuations?"
"No. I hope it's all going well." His expression held a bit of worry.
"We'll help how we can after you go," Finn assured. "Until then, let's go find out anything more the library holds that can help us."
The trio mounted their horses and headed back towards Klain, hoping the rest of the day held more answers.
It did not.
The researching at the library was fruitless, as if the books were willfully refusing to yield any more information than they already had. Finn's eyes began to cross after reading so long, and she was reminded of her early days of researching here.
"Let's go home," Roland said at last. The sky was darkening and they'd likely already missed whatever delicious supper Mrs. Sherman had made.
"Home," Finn frowned slightly. It was more home than any other place she had at the moment; between her village being burned to the ground and her stays in the wilderness and in jail, it was certainly the most comfortably familiar location in the world to her.
Still, it felt like she had long overstayed her welcome there and belonged in her own place.
"We'll make our own home, when this is over," He said softly, pulling her into a hug.
"This is my home," She said, referring to his embrace. "You are my home."
"I'm glad, because I don't know for sure what will happen, or where we'll go." He rested his cheek on top of her head, and they stood there a moment, until her stomach gurgled loudly.
She blushed and he chuckled. "Come on, my love, I need to get you fed."
_________
Riley finally finished his duties for the day. There was much to be done with the troops being called back to the city, the influx of townspeople coming in, making sure all the Swordbearers knew their current assignments for where to report. On top of all that, he was apparently to begin helping the Peacekeeping officers search the underground tunnels and catacombs soon for clues as to the prophecy Roland had brought back from the Rhone. How he drew such an assignment was an utter mystery to him.
He was exhausted. His feet dragged as he made his way to the barracks where he was issued a bed to sleep in. He would rather stay with the Shermans to see his sister more often, but logistically it made more sense this way. He still had to fulfill the full year of service he had committed to Klain before he could decide anything for himself.
His stomach growled loudly and he wondered what rations would be available to him. Probably nothing hot, as the evening meal was likely over. The sun was setting already, so the best he could hope for would be whatever was left and unspoiled.
At least the rations inside the city were better than the field rations he'd had for weeks on end. He also thought of the little delicate cakes and treats that Ashley had served. Those had been heavenly. He paused in the street, and wondered if it would be inappropriate to visit her so late in the hopes of being served something more.
No, that would be terribly rude, and using her, he admitted to himself. Although, he did want to see her. Perhaps the food was just an excuse.
His mouth twitched with indecision, and he glanced between the paths that would take him to her home, and back to the barracks. Seeing a young couple walking by, he stepped backward into the shadows so he didn't disturb them. They looked so happy, holding hands as they walked.
He blinked, and realized it was Finn and Roland. He smiled briefly and turned away, taking whichever path would not lead him to cross theirs. It would be unkind to interrupt their time together with his presence.
Feeling a pang of loneliness, he sighed and looked up at the buildings around him. All full of families, happy and together. He'd been unable to reunify his so far, which felt like his burden as the oldest son in his father's absence. He recalled the words from the report the General had let him read on his arrival, and it brought a sad smile to his face. He felt he'd known his father better than almost anyone in the world, and still there was more underneath.
His father had been brave, and kind, and the fiercest warrior of a generation. He gave all that and a promising career up for the good of the nation and a quiet life with Riley's mother. Riley hoped that he could find the same happiness his parents had shared, even if it ended as tragically.
He stopped, realizing that the path he'd taken had put him directly in front of Ashley's home.