Chapter Six #5
The Hall of the Sanguine was peaceful, the low chants of healers praying over patients the only sounds to be heard other than the cry of gulls.
I let my mind wander as I stood guard, my thoughts scrambled like eggs.
Many of the old elves said that Ihdos moved us through our lives in ways that only he could understand.
I was not an overly religious man. I was paid to cut down enemies of the crown.
So citing scriptures that called for the intelligent to lead the way with peaceful hearts, for only beasts killed when diplomacy and rational discourse could prevail, seemed insincere.
Still, I did feel that there was a supreme being—a guiding hand if one wished—that helped us along a life path.
I thought to question Ihdos about why he had propelled me into Teryn’s arms last night.
Surely that had been a rash decision. Not only had I complicated things by bedding a dignitary—not a crime but ill-advised—but I had then been caught with my cock out in his chambers.
Now the king and Le’ral, as well as a dozen guards, including my cousin, knew of my indiscretions.
Then the man that I would lay down my life for sends me to a land I have never been before to find his children before the twin moons align.
Fourteen passes of the sun. That was the time we had to execute this bait-and-switch or…
I refused to dwell on what might happen should we fail.
The door to the apothecary opened. Teryn stepped out, gazed up at me with watery eyes, and strode off.
I fell in behind and to the side of him, wishing I had my sword, as the looks we garnered from the castle workers were far from gracious.
They’d been politely cool before, but now that the news of the twins’ kidnapping had spread like wildfire through Avolire, the staff seemed more hostile.
Without proper reasoning, in my eyes. The only culprit that we were assured had taken part—Jaska—was not even Sandrayan.
Yes, the paralytic seemed to be, but people smuggled things in and out of ports all the time.
Even the most protected plants could be slipped into the pocket of a pair of trousers and then sold for an astronomical price.
Which was why there needed to be a port system to cut down on the illegal trade taking place along all our shores.
A noble idea that had been progressing before the children of the king had been taken.
“You’re very quiet,” Teryn commented as we passed by a small solarium filled with plants and flowering vines creeping along ornate trellises.
I opened my mouth to reply when Umeris Stillcloud appeared at the doorway, long hair wild, eyes wide, his robe covered with peach jam by the looks.
He rolled up to us in his wheeled chair.
We both stepped back to let him pass, but he grasped my wrist in a death grip and pulled me downward.
For a fragile old elf, he possessed incredible strength.
“It was the only way to save face, Aelir. I’m sorry. She left me no choice. She left me no choice!”
His shouts rolled down the hall as his long nails dug into my flesh. A harried-looking healer appeared behind him, his robing coated in the same stains that Umeris wore on his robes.
“Forgive him,” the healer said, peeling the old man’s fingers from my wrist. “He is having a bad day today. The restive tea is not working well this morning. Forgive us.”
Umeris spat on the floor as the healer took control of the poor old man.
Teryn and I stood quietly as the wheeled chair creaked down the hall, the grand advisor shouting about sailing ships before falling into a wet coughing spell.
Sadness upon sadness. This morn was a shroud of melancholy even though the sun shone brightly.
We walked in stiff silence. I entered the ambassador’s room.
The cleaning staff had come through to tidy things.
The bed was neat, the pillows back where they belonged, and any clothes strewn about were folded or had been taken to the laundry.
A cold plate of boiled eggs, cheese, rough dark bread, and butter sat on the table by the newly fed fire, a pot of simmering red tea awaiting the envoy from the Black Sands.
Pehdra had returned sometime and had been let in, the cat leaping from the bed to greet her master with purrs and leg rubs.
Teryn picked her up, rubbed his face into her fur, and then moved toward the teapot.
I barred him with an arm. “Let me taste of them first,” I said flatly. Teryn sighed and waved at the food and tea. I tasted them all. When I remained standing with no frothing of the mouth, I assumed the repast to be safe. “It seems to be clear of poisons.”
“Will you join me? I know you have not eaten yet.” I stiffened slightly. “Or not if you would rather eat at the barracks.”
“It is not that I wish to eat the barracks food. I simply feel…” The correct words were tangled like yarn on my tongue. “Perhaps we should not be seen in such an intimate setting.”
That brought a weary smile to his handsome face. “Pasil, I rather think that the guards finding us naked in bed and coated with seed was far more intimate than us breaking bread.” I felt the heat rising to my face. “Still, I understand that you feel uncomfortable.”
“Not uncomfortable, Teryn, not wholly. I am worried for you. For the king. For the children. For Tezen. This kidnapping could press our people into a darker place if it is discovered that any Sandrayans were responsible.”
“The odds are high that there are some,” he replied on a tired exhalation.
“The odds are high that there are factions at play from all the tribes of Melowynn. But I do grasp the cause of your worry and will not press you to eat with me. Perhaps it is best if we keep cool heads while we are on this mission. My need for you seems to overpower most of my common sense.”
“Mine as well.” Honesty seemed the best route. “I shall return to the barracks. Sleep, eat, and work out my duties as best I can. Shall we meet at the sea cave at midnight?”
“Yes, midnight is fine.” He stood by the table with the simmering teapot, his face tight. “Last night was like a dream. If things had not gone as they had, I would have invited you to my chamber again tonight. I like to think that you may have accepted.”
“I would have. Until midnight,” I replied and eased out of the room, his gaze locked with mine.
I took a moment to gather my wits—what was left of them—and nodded dully at the two royal guards who now stood on either side of Teryn’s door.
“Keep him safe. If harm falls to him on your watch, I shall personally divest you of your innards.”
I strode off before they could form a reasonable reply to my heated orders. If I walked fast enough, perhaps I would be able to race away from the reasons why I had threatened my own people with disemboweling if a hair on Teryn’s head were maltreated.