Chapter Four #3
Thankfully another of my officers interrupted with a question then and soon I was embroiled in a discussion with him, so I didn’t pay much attention to the other end of the table for a while.
Major Kasavan took the opportunity to quickly stand and leave the room.
The rest of us finished eating and got up to leave as a group.
I intended to make another sweep of the palace perimeter as well as one last recheck of the conference area before Prince Mikos and his party arrived.
King Davos should be arriving soon as well, so it would be a busy morning.
I had made it just outside the door, along with my soldiers, when I heard someone call my name.
“General Vargarra. Wait a minute, please.”
I stopped, motioning for the others to go on ahead and turned to see the boy Taran hurrying toward me, his face scrunched up in a scowl. “I want a word with you,” he growled at me.
“I don’t have time for you now. If it’s that important, come and see me later tonight. I believe you know where my room is.”
His face turned even brighter pink than it had the night before, and he pointed a finger in my face. I wondered what he’d do if I took it in my mouth. “Don’t be rude. I have something I need to speak to you about.”
“And I told you I’m busy. Can’t it wait until later?”
“No, please…you see, I don’t want my father to know what I was...what happened last night. I don’t want you to tell him.”
“Your father? What in the four hells does he have to do with anything? Who is your father anyway?”
“My father is Prince Larz, and he has plenty to do with things.”
That took me aback for a moment, but I stared at him and gave him a little sneer. “You’re lying. Prince Larz has no children.”
“He most certainly does. I’m his adopted son. His and King Janos.”
“There is no ‘King’ Janos, and I’ve never heard of you.”
“There are probably whole libraries of books just full of things you’ve never heard of.”
I snarled down at him. “I’m busy. What is it you want?”
“I told you. I-I want your promise that you won’t tell my parents about-about last night. About my being in your room. And about what we did after you found me.”
“Why should I promise that?”
“Because…because I’m asking you to do me this favor. Please.”
I opened my mouth to give him a scathing answer, but it suddenly occurred to me how young he looked and probably was. I still couldn’t help teasing him a little though.
“And what will you give me to keep my silence?”
“You’ll have my thanks, sir,” he replied, tipping up his stubborn little chin to meet my eyes. “And perhaps later on, if the Tygerian soldiers ever do come to Laltana, I can find a way to help you somehow.”
‘And how would you do that?”
“In my capacity as an officer in the Laltanan Royal Guard.”
I had to admit that surprised me. Maybe he wasn’t quite as young as he looked after all. And why did that make me feel better?
“You don’t say? Qualified men must be scarce on the ground in Laltana, then, but good for you, I guess.
I’ll think about your request and let you know later.
Come by and see me tonight. Now run along and let me get to work.
” I turned to go and he grabbed my arm and pulled me back around to face him.
I looked down at his hand, and he had the grace to blush, but he didn’t let go.
“I mention it because I want you to know I’m not some insignificant whatever it is you call me—a-a chibby.
I asked what it meant and my father told me.
It’s insulting, and I don’t like for you to think that you can treat me just any old way you please.
I’m an officer and the adopted son of Prince Larz.
You need to stop ignoring me. And-and an apology would be appropriate, I think. ”
I smiled at his audacity, but he bothered me—a great deal. And he made me angry. I leaned in close and got within an inch of his face. The sweet smell of him was so pungent up close that it filled my nostrils and made my knees go a little weak as the memories from the night before flooded back in.
“Let’s see, what should I say in this apology?
I’m sorry you broke into my room last night and rummaged through my personal belongings,” I said, making no effort to keep my voice down.
“I’m sorry that you intended to read my orders if you could have found any or perhaps steal them.
I’ll try very hard not to let you do it again.
How does that sound?” I took a moment to enjoy the look of embarrassment and outrage on his face, and then I straightened back up and stared down at him.
“Now please go away and stop bothering me.”
I took him by the shoulders to turn him around and gave him a little push—the tiniest of pushes.
I didn’t think it was my fault at all that he was so clumsy that he stumbled and almost fell on his little dumb face.
I still felt bad about it—a little—but I had things to do, damn it.
Everyone had turned to stare at us and Janos jumped to his feet in alarm.
I bent down and extended my hand to the boy, but he angrily knocked it away and scrambled back up, his face flushing. I had no idea what to do at that point, so I turned around and walked rapidly toward the conference room before I did something else that we’d both regret.