Gremo
The first night of the journey, Gremo sat by himself.
Rthan brought him food—meat and root vegetables wrapped in a leaf. But the food was only an excuse. Rthan crouched next to him and asked in a low voice, "Do you have a name to trade me yet, Gremo?"
"Yes," Gremo said. "The Yellow Bear warriors tried to keep the names of the men who took part in the New Moon Raid a secret. But not secret enough. They're too proud of what they did. They brag. They killed more than a hundred people—and only seven men took part in the raid."
"Only seven?" Rthan frowned. "That's impossible. There was too much damage. They struck the heart of Blue Waters."
"They used sleep magic. It made the guards fall asleep and kept the women and children inside their huts. Then they tied wooden stakes across the doors so no one could escape. Last, they set fire to the roofs. They stayed nearby to shoot arrows at anyone who tried to run out."
Rthan's face stayed calm, but Gremo could feel the heat of his anger, like steam rising from a pot.
"There's more," Gremo said. "The seven men counted the victims. They kept tally sticks to mark which houses they burned and who they shot. They even made it into a game, to see who had the most kills. The one who killed the most… he's also the one who burned your house, Rthan. He knew your daughter was inside. He enjoyed hearing her scream."
Rthan growled, "His name?"
"I don't know it yet."
Rthan grabbed Gremo by the neck. "Don't play with me!"
He shouldn't have touched Gremo.
Gremo didn't know exactly what happened—only that he felt a flash of anger, and suddenly a strong wind knocked Rthan to the ground. The wind vanished just as fast, but when Rthan stood up, his eyes held new caution.
"You're a Tavaedi?" he asked.
"I know one more thing about the man who killed your family," Gremo said. "I still don't know his name. That part no one will tell."
"Then tell me what you do know."
"Not until you tell me about the man with the tattoos I described before. Tell me the name of my father."
"Why should I?" Rthan said. "Our deal was one name for one name."
"I've learned far more than you could have on your own," Gremo said sharply. "Men talk around me because they think I'm just some fool who carries a rock. They would never speak so carelessly in front of you. And when I tell you the last thing I know, you'll be able to figure out the name yourself. There are only seven men! But I won't say anything else until you prove you'll help me in return."
"What good will it do to know your father's name?" Rthan said bitterly. "He won't make you one of us. He didn't even stay with your mother."
"He didn't marry my mother," Gremo said flatly. "He raped her."
It was the first time he had ever said those words aloud. Rthan's eyes widened in shock.
"All the more reason not to know him," Rthan said.
"That's not your decision," Gremo said. "We had a deal."
Rthan gave a slow nod. "His name was Ezlo of Jumping Rock. We'll pass through his clan soon."
"Was?" Gremo asked.
"He's dead. A flood swept through the river years ago. Many of the men from Jumping Rock drowned trying to save their boats."
"Dead?" Gremo whispered. His mouth felt dry. He had never even thought of this possibility. "Dead…" he repeated. "Dead."
"You said you had one more piece of information for me," Rthan reminded him.
Gremo forced his thoughts to clear. "Yes. The seven men who took part in the New Moon Raid? All of them were kin of Hertio."
Rthan's eyes lit up with rage. "Thank you."
He stood and stalked off into the dark.
Gremo stayed where he was, stunned, heavy with shock and sorrow. He didn't even notice someone else nearby until a hand touched his arm. He looked up to see Svego, their guide.
Gremo did not want to talk to Svego. Not now. He didn't want to see his almost-naked, perfectly built body. He didn't want to feel… things.
Yet he did.
It was the same strange feeling he had the first time he saw Kavio. But Kavio had never noticed him. Svego, on the other hand, looked right back.
"Sweetling, you need a haircut," Svego said.
Gremo growled.
"You're like a wild animal," Svego said. He leaned in close and added in a husky voice, "I like that."
"Stay away from me," Gremo warned coldly. "You don't know what I am."
"Fa," Svego said with a grin, "I know exactly what you are. You think I can't spot another Olani when I see one?"
"What?" Gremo sputtered.
Svego bent and kissed him on the mouth.