Nature Abhors a Vacuum

  Chapter Sixteen

  It was late afternoon by the time they'd finished gathering supplies and equipment, so at Colt's suggestion, they stayed in town that night and resolved to leave Bracksford before dawn the next day. Aiden had to get his leather breastplate mended, while Nellise acquired an entirely new steel one, plus a helmet from the smithy who’d been making good use of the iron they’d recovered from the mountains.

  Sayana showed up at the crowded common room of the Bracksfordshire Arms wearing a snug-fitting suit of leathers that caused Aiden to forget his own name for a few moments. Pacian had been assisting her with purchases, which drew a raised eyebrow from his old friend.

  “Look, she's always on the front line anyway,” Pacian explained, “so I figured she could use some extra protection. It's no breastplate, but it's better than what she's been using.”

  “I told him I can use sorcery to armour my skin,” Sayana explained, “but he refused to listen.”

  “As I said, your strength is better used elsewhere,” Pacian counselled.

  “It sounds like he was very helpful,” Aiden remarked, expecting some sort of trick to be involved.

  “Yes, Pacian insisted I try on several outfits to make sure I picked the right one,” Sayana added obliviously. “He was very thorough.”

  “I bet he was,” Aiden stated flatly, glaring at his friend's false expression of concern.

  Tom Ballard served them with a platter of roast pork, potatoes, thick gravy, with hot-buttered bread on the side. It was a feast fit for a King, and Aiden could only hope he would remember the taste after days of trail rations soured his palette once more.

  He decided to retire early that night, since the prospect of sitting around being ignored by people he'd come to know and respect was less than appealing. Pacian raised an eyebrow when Sayana left with Aiden, but he kept his mouth shut.

  Their activities that evening were pleasant enough, but Aiden had the feeling that he was just there as a distraction for the red-headed sorceress, so she didn't have to think about the next day for a little while. It worked both ways, however, for Aiden didn't give it a lot of thought either.

  By the time Pacian arrived in the room hours later to get some sleep, Sayana was already fast asleep in Aiden's arms.