Fen stared at me, wide eyes flicking between me and the knife in my hand. Maybe this was extreme, and maybe it was unlike me, but I was tired of being the idle onlooker. Life was passing me by, because all I did was watch and talk about other people doing things. Maybe it was high time I did something myself.

"Nirrin, I apologize for upsetting you." His breathing grew faster as I approached, his eyes riveted on my fingers tightening around the cooking knife. "Let's talk some more."

"Talking is getting me nowhere." I pointed the blade at him. It was usually used for chopping vegetables in the commons, but it would serve my purposes.

"There's no need to kill me!"

"Kill you?" My brows pinched together. "Why would I do that? I can't get answers from a dead man."

His eyes remained glued to the blade. "Then what do you plan on doing with that?"

I leaned in close. Close enough to notice that, for a guy who probably hadn't bathed in a week—judging from the dingy condition of his pants—he didn't smell bad. I brought the knife closer as I spoke. "Do you swear that everything you've told me is the truth?"

He edged away from the blade. "I have never lied to you."

I peered into his eyes in the dim torchlight, trying so hard to make the right decision. Once I did this, there was no going back. "And you plan on harming no one?"

"No one here, no."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What does that mean?"

"It means I might harm someone outside of Foresthome."

"Who?"

He looked away.

"Are you lying to me?"

His gaze returned. "No."

I sighed and began pacing the room. "Well, of course you'd say no. That could be a lie too! Arrgh! Why can't you just give me straight answers?"

He said nothing, and something inside me snapped. In an instant, I was in his face again. "Take me to see her."

"Huh?"

"Take me to see Niralessa, the person you think is my mother."

"Uh, that wasn't the plan."

"And what was your plan?"

He closed his mouth.

I made a noise of exasperation somewhere between a growl and a scream.

I pointed the knife at him again. "Will you take me to see her or not?"

He examined my face, saw the crazy determination I knew was in my eyes. "Yes."

"Yes?" My breath hitched. Did I hear him correctly?

"Yes."

I leaned in again, and muttered, "Don't make me regret this." Before I could change my mind, I reached around and sliced through the ropes.

His hands free, Fen stared at his wrists for a moment, as if surprised I had actually cut him loose. I couldn't quite believe it either, and momentarily wondered if I'd just made a huge mistake. I would find out soon enough.

He stood, and I took a few steps back, unprepared for the sheer size of him. He wasn't as tall as Sember or Jastin, but he was broad. Muscular. Now that he was free to flex and stretch, he practically filled the room.

I held my breath, half expecting him to swat me aside and charge out the door.

He looked at me. "You ready?"

I blinked at him.

"Nirrin?" He held out his hand.

His palm looked smooth, and I took it without thinking.

His fingers closed around my hand, and he carefully approached the entrance.

I noticed his other hand closing into a fist, and I said, "I took care of the guard."

He peered back at me, his skeptical brows raised.

"See for yourself."

He poked his head through the curtain, then pulled me through it. I glanced over at Jeribo, who looked like he was asleep again. I knew he wasn't, though, because I'd clubbed him in the head with a block of firewood. Not my finest moment, but I was frustrated, and I knew he'd be fine because Siena could patch him up in the morning. I didn't like him all that much anyway.

We hurried to the cover of trees. He hesitated, unsure where to go.

"Which direction do we need?" I asked.

"South."

I pulled him onto the right path.

"Wait."

I gave him a perplexed look. What could he possibly want to wait for?

"Won't your people wonder where you went?"

I opened my mouth for a retort, but immediately realized he was right. In classic Nirrin fashion, I hadn't really thought any of this through.

"Maybe it's not a good idea for you to come," he said, when he saw me hesitate.

"Oh no, you're not backing out of your promise."

He sighed with annoyance. "They're going to think I took you."

I pursed my lips. He had a point. Maybe I should tell Sember.

I thought about her temper and suspicious nature. No, telling Sember would be a bad idea. She'd be flinging fireballs before I could even get back to Fen.

Siena! I could tell her. She was calm and trusting. She wouldn't cause trouble.

"Wait by that tree," I instructed.

He frowned at me.

"I'm just going to tell someone not to worry about me." I backed a few steps away. "Wait for me."

His mouth twisted like he hated the idea.

I paused and pointed at him. "You're waiting for me, right?"

He stared out into the dark forest, as if he was contemplating running off. Then he turned back to me and nodded.

I couldn't tell if he was being truthful about waiting or not, but I couldn't risk people chasing after him with shovels and spears, thinking I'd been kidnapped. He was right about that.

Is she really doing this? A quick vote before you finish this chapter!