Chapter 40 #2
Gaeren couldn’t find rest. As the Sun’s light finally peeked through cracks in the hut walls, footsteps sounded, followed by low voices. The hut door opened, and Velden was escorted in.
His eyes were puffy and his smile absent, but there was a peace on his face that Gaeren hadn’t seen since they’d discovered what Dreyfus harbored. Without a word, Velden walked to the back of the hut and lay down, curling on his side away from the others.
“Sylmar?” one of the soldiers asked, scanning the group.
Sylmar stood, leaning heavily on his staff. The soldier beckoned for him to come out. “Velden says you’re the one we should talk to.”
Gaeren grimaced, then murmured, “If we want to start a war.”
Cyrus was the only one close enough to hear, and he snorted out a laugh.
The soldiers glanced their way warily, but when no one else spoke or moved, they shut the hut door behind Sylmar.
A second round of waiting began, punctuated by intermittent naps. Food and water were delivered by Nori, who lingered within the hut as she handed them each a cup and plate filled with fish broth. Even Velden rose to eat, and Nori gave him a tentative smile.
“Rhoda never told my parents she had a son. I think that’s the only reason they’re hesitant to believe you. Why would she keep you a secret?”
Velden smiled, but it was a fraction of the carefree manner he usually exuded. “She kept many secrets, most of which she learned from Lady Merinnia.”
Nori’s eyes widened. “She went to see the Seer?”
He nodded. “I suspect that’s why she told me she had no regrets. She knew the outcome before she made her choices. I only wish she’d explained things a little more. Maybe given me some warning.”
Nori’s face grew troubled, and a soldier cleared his throat. She stood, backing away, the indecision on her face giving Gaeren hope. The elders didn’t seem to believe Nori, but as long as she kept asking questions and listening to their answers, they might end up with an ally.
“Thank you for the food,” he said.
She turned his way, and he gave her an encouraging smile.
This time, the soldier pulled on her arm, and she disappeared outside the hut.
When Sylmar finally returned that evening, he had little to tell them.
“They asked all the questions.” He used the wall to ease down into a sitting position, wincing the whole way.
“Nori’s father, Elder Algaen, wanted me to identify everyone in our party and why they’d come.
I’m not sure they believed me much, but at least they let me talk.
I suspect they mostly wanted to see if my story matched Velden’s. ”
Velden chuckled, the corner of his lip regaining its teasing lift. “Considering we never see eye to eye, I doubt that worked in our favor. You may have just gotten us all killed.”
Sylmar grunted but didn’t say anything, and Gaeren suspected the old man was secretly pleased that Velden’s humor had returned.
“What did they say about the Seer?” Aeliana asked.
Sylmar frowned. “She’s not available to outsiders. That was the most I could get from them.”
“But Velden’s not an outsider,” Kendalyhn pointed out.
“Just because I’m not fully Vendaran doesn’t mean they don’t see me as an outsider.” Velden gave a wry smile, and Aeliana squeezed his arm. Her face held an understanding that surprised Gaeren, reminding him that she was only half-Vendaran.
For an ironic moment he considered how Enla would never approve of him choosing anyone with so little starblood as a bondmate, no matter how much power she clearly had.
And the knowledge that it would irk his sister made it all the more appealing.
Then his bond mark burned with a fire he’d never felt before, and he winced away the thought.
“So now what?” he asked.
Before Sylmar could respond, the hut door opened again. The Sun’s glory was fading as it headed for sleep, and Nori’s silhouette broke up their view of the outside world. As Gaeren’s eyes adjusted, he took in her beaming face.
“I’ve come to escort Velden, Gaeren, and Aeliana on a tour.”
Everyone exchanged confused glances at the strange offer. Velden stood, but Gaeren and Aeliana remained seated.
“Why them?” Riveran asked.
“Some are convinced that Velden is Rhodasepha’s son—and my cousin.” Her smile grew impossibly bigger as she looked up at him.
He smiled back, as charming as ever.
“I don’t have any other cousins. Or siblings.
” Her smile faded. “Or friends really…” She frowned at the dirt floor, then finally seemed to remember the initial question.
“They wish to welcome Velden into the community. I think many of the people want to see him for themselves. Rhoda was well-loved among the Sayhleens. Even those of us who were too young to have met her know so much about her. She was slated to be the next Seer. Her disappearance was felt deeply across the island. The confirmation of her death even more so.”
“What about Aeliana and Gaeren?” Iris questioned further, her crossed arms and furrowed brow almost as foreboding as Lukai’s protective glare.
“Oh,” Nori said, as if she hadn’t realized their inclusion was odd.
“Velden made it sound like Sylmar was your leader, but when the elders questioned Sylmar, it was clear that Gaeren and Aeliana hold higher rank as the son of a king and the daughter of a high priestess. They would like to show them our refuge as a peace offering. We consider them ambassadors of Vendaras and would like to treat them as such.”
“While keeping the rest of us locked up in the hut?” Holm asked.
Nori gave an embarrassed shrug. “It’s a start in the right direction. Think of it as a test of diplomacy. If things go well with Velden, Gaeren, and Aeliana, I foresee them going well for all of you.”
Kendalyhn groaned, placing her hands over her face. “We’re doomed.”