Chapter 11 Ro #2
“Right, sorry.” I couldn’t contain my knowing smile.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you unleashed your charms traveling alone with two women.
Though, I am surprised it worked well enough that she came to you.
What lies did you tell that poor girl?” What else could I have expected with Tio escorting Nora and Melody back to the kingdom on their last visit?
Radhak should have sent a chaperone for their chaperone. Feral boy.
He chuckled toward the fire as he prodded it, sending sparks soaring into the air. “Told her I was a lucky charm.”
I nearly spit the drink I was sipping from laughter.
“Hey, you mock me.” He pointed the poking stick in my direction. “But you have me to thank for those soldiers not catching up with you in the market. I’d say that’s preeeetty lucky.”
He’d told me after we’d returned that he’d snapped the legs of a couple stands, sending the food and goods tumbling. Soldiers and patrons tripped and stumbled, buying us all the opportunity to escape. As much as I gave Tio a hard time, I knew he always had my back.
“Thank you, if I didn’t already say it.” I ate my earlier teasing. Tasted like humble pie.
His brow creased, and he didn’t look at me while he waved off the sentiment.
“Ro, you never have to thank me. Though I wouldn’t oppose my own pet dragon.
” He dragged his gaze up to me, flashing puppy dog eyes.
Another incorrect reference to my magic, thinking I had any control.
Any creature I asked for help often gave it because I asked nicely.
Tio knew that, of course. He begged me to find him a pet dragon at least once a month.
Braxius poked his head out from between strands of my hair, releasing a combatant huff from his nostrils before nuzzling back under.
With offense stamped across Tio’s forehead, he straightened. “Hey, I didn’t mean you, ya blue little speck. And you’d be lucky to have me!” Braxius didn’t stir, blatantly ignoring Tio’s rebuttal.
I bit back my smile. Brax didn’t hate Tio, more so just showed an enormous amount of indifference. Part of me secretly thought it was jealousy. Tio rolled his neck, loosening the tension in his shoulders.
“If we ever stumble across another, I’ll ask if they want a buddy,” I appeased.
Tio’s cheeky smile grew. “Awesome.”
We grilled some vegetables and ate our evening meal together, talking about what changes we expected to see at the camp over the next few days.
Tio said he’d ask Radhak if anything needed to be relayed to Highcrest, and I knew the only reason he’d take that initiative would be to visit a pretty blonde member of the royal family.
I couldn’t recall a time I’d known Tio to chase after anyone. Random romantic encounters during our travels, sure. Less than romantic hookups with members of camp, sure. But intentional visits? Traveling to see someone? Melody had certainly left her mark on him.
A tightness bound my chest. It wasn’t for Tio, gods no, but for what he had.
That twinkle in his eye, a lingering smile.
I’d kept busy all my life, accomplishing one good will task after another.
It didn’t leave much time for relationship building.
I’d had some hookups in the past, but they never felt worth it.
Eventually, I stopped caring about making the time.
Turns out, when you don’t make the time, the time never comes.
That wasn’t what I wanted, anyway. When I thought back on my parents, remembering the pure love and happiness they showed each other, my chest cleaved in two.
Maybe the path I’d set myself on meant sacrificing something like that.
When I had those thoughts, I dug into my resolve.
Whatever echo was beckoning me, I had to believe I’d find happiness on the other side.
“Hey. You okay?” Tio nudged my knee with his.
I blinked myself back to the present, not realizing how long we’d sat in silence. “Yeah,” I lied.
Morning patrol was always the same. The forest surrounding the camp remained quiet in the early daylight, only birds chatting in the treetops above. For most, melodic chirps. For me, navigational directions on where to find the best worms and bugs for the day.
My quiver and bow were secured to my back as I fought through uneven brush, snagging every so often on wayward twigs and branches. With a litany of new scratches, I finished my rounds, walking back through the gardens.
A few herbalists were tending the field, working in solitude beneath a canopy of shade before the sun rose to its highest point.
The sound of rustling leaves drew my attention, and I turned to see Alba emerging.
I noted her uneven breath, as if she’d been running. My steps were fast as I approached her.
“What’s wrong?” I scanned the dense trees behind her, searching for any sign of danger.
She bent over, resting her hands on her knees. “Oh, nothing.” She gulped down air.
“Why were you wandering the woods?”
“Foraging,” she said, still working to compose herself.
I crossed my arms. “Since when does foraging take this toll?” A light sheen coated her forehead from exertion.
“There was a boar. I lost him.” She straightened, looking herself over and swiping at her clothes.
Surprised, and a little shocked that I hadn’t seen evidence of one on my patrol, I instructed Alba to report the sighting to the next guard on duty.
Though I was disappointed in my tracking skills, I was grateful I hadn’t come across it.
A creature like that would feed many hungry bellies, but to bring myself to do it…
“Hey, can you do a quick sweep of the perimeter? I should find out where that boar is headed.”
Braxius took off in a blur of blue and I continued back to camp to find Rav and Radhak standing near a fire pit engaged in quiet conversation.
“Everything still good to move to the city?” I asked, not particularly bothered that I interrupted.
“So far so good. If we don’t hear from Highcrest by tomorrow morning, we’ll ready the wagons. They should depart day after next,” Radhak said.
“Good.” I looked at Rav and pieced together that he’d probably been telling Radhak about his concerns. The stress lines on his face gave him away. “Any other orders?”
Radhak dragged a hand down his face, resting it on his hip after it dropped. “Not as of now. We’ll have to reassess once we divide up supply for the first convoy. We definitely don’t have a surplus, so be ready to make another trip.”
“If we need to go to Highcrest, Tio wants to come.”
Radhak hummed and nodded. The air was sullen, the burden of leadership and uncertainty weighing heavier than normal.
“Also, there might be a boar nearby,” I added, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Well, certainly wouldn’t hurt.” Radhak clapped Rav on the shoulder before walking off.
Ravinder’s eyes were contemplative, his thumb slowly swiping over his bottom lip back and forth.
“You good?” I asked, keeping my voice low, so it stayed between us.
He dropped his hand, clasping it around his elbow.
“We’re going to be spread thin having some of our patrol sent with the convoy.
I don’t like that. They’re heading to an area that hasn’t had any issues, but we sit closer to the river and origins of the curse up north.
We need more bodies here, but Radhak thinks a group should go to settle any unrest from the townspeople. ”
“Weren’t you worried about that, too? You questioned Nora about it in the meeting.”
“I am, but they’re sticking to the border until they reach the designated town, so Highcrest citizens won’t even know they’re coming until they arrive, which means no one can plan any surprises.
Meanwhile, we’re left here, more vulnerable than I’d like.
But, my brother makes the calls.” His jaw flexed, eyes simmering as he fought to dampen the part of himself that wanted to continue challenging his brother, his leader.
They’d had their disagreements before, but Rav had never shown this kind of bitterness regarding his brother’s decisions. “Are you going to press him?”
“His mind’s made up.” Rav’s hands dropped and balled at his sides. “And he’s sending me with the convoy.”
Now I understood his frustration. Rav was a good soldier, but he was good because he was perceptive. Realized where problems stemmed, and figured out ways to solve them. This may have been the first time that Radhak commanded his brother against his wishes.
“I’m sorry. He hasn’t asked me to leave, and if he does, I’ll simply decline.” I shrugged, not accounting for the weight of authority.
Rav finally broke, releasing a soft chuckle under his breath. “This might be the first time I’m grateful for your disrespectful attitude.”
“It does come in handy.” I teased with a smirk.
Rav shook his head, smile unwavering before he walked off. The familiar flutter of webbed wings approached.
“No sign of the boar.”
“So much for bringing good news,” I said, heaving a sigh. Using my finger to stroke Braxius’s neck, I hoped Rav would have nothing to worry about. In a few weeks, things would be back to normal around here. Possibly better, given our new connection to a thankful king and queen.
Now to tell Tio I put in a good word for a Highcrest trip, and how lucky he was to have me as a friend.