Page 50 of The Fury She Holds
Tal hadn’t considered that. While Faron’s life wasn’t nearly as difficult as hers, it certainly came with a different set of problems. “So, what are you going to do?”
He rested a hand under his head, scratching his hair. “I haven’t figured that out yet. Some things I’ve done seem to make a difference. I arranged safe passage and a new home for a familytrying to escape to the mountains. I’ve heard the children’s health has improved in the clearer air.”
“That’s just one family. Is it worth the trouble?”
“If I had done nothing, Madge said they wouldn’t have survived the next bout of illness.”
She searched the darkening sky for what to say. One family. One life. Thinking of the effort it would take to save the whole of the docks exhausted Tal. But she had already started to do just that. Evania and Janin were off the streets and cared for because of one single decision. Would it still feel pointless to save more in need?
Faron continued, “I’ve made sure Madge has access to the supplies she needs. She hasn’t charged a fee in over a year.”
“What?” Tal pushed herself up and winced. “She’s been charging me near double!”
Faron lifted a finger in thought. “Now that I think of it, her table appeared to be new.”
“Yes, because I replaced it.”
“Oh?”
“I may have bled all over it and broken a chair.” Replaced furniture or not, Tal still hadn’t apologized to the old woman for the words she said while in a rage. “I’ll steal it back from the old bat if she tries to charge me again.”
“You wouldn’t. You’ve got a big heart. You must have saved countless lives at this point.”
Tal hesitated. She never went searching for someone to help. She fulfilled bounties and took payment. She survived. But then she thought of the few times she refused payment, or purchased food, and clothing to return to them. The young woman from yesterday came to mind. Tal found herself telling Faron of the husband who beat his wife. His reaction caught her off-guard.
“I hope you gave it back to him ten-fold.”
Tal stared at her companion. His voice held no mockery, nor any disapproval. His reaction was so much unlike Daire’s that Tal didn’t know what to say.
Faron caught her gaze and sat up. “Well, did you?”
She blinked once, twice, and then told him about the man’s debts and how she helped Pochette’s men collect on them.
He nodded. “And the girl? Her mother?”
“The mother—the mother never recovered. But the girl inherited their home and is raising her family.”
Faron didn’t question further, which made Talwyn curious.
“He got a good hit on me before I could subdue him. Broke my cheekbone.” She tapped the spot on her face, the same spot that swelled in blotchy purple and blue hues.
“And I bet you sported a colorful black eye because you were already two pints in by then.” He nudged her shoulder with his own.
“Three actually.” She shook her head at the memory. “I was so angry at the world after that, I refused any healing elixir, made a point to let everyone see it so they knew I was the one who stepped in, not them.”
“Please tell me how they threw a tantrum at being shown up by a woman.” Laughter filled his voice, and Tal couldn’t help but join in.
“The sheriff tried to arrest me for breach of the peace, but his men were too afraid to try.”
“Truly?”
She nodded, biting her lip. She didn’t need to mention that the official had beseeched Daire and his men to step in, but the captain threatened to have him removed from his position. Her friendship with Daire wasn’t common knowledge, but he had criticized the sheriff for failing to do his job and wasting the time of the king’s guard. “He still has an active bounty out for me, but I’m the only bounty hunter in town.”
Faron was in stitches. “Oh, please don’t say that. I’ll cancel our plans and have us go torment the bleeding sod instead.”
“One of my favorite pastimes,” she sighed.
They laughed until the sound blended with the water lapping against the pier.
