Chapter 13 A Fond Farewell #2
Lady Eli’s eyebrows twitched. “No. This has nothing to do with the duchess. I’m scared of what that device does. My husband acquired it in Zinfera, but we have no idea what it is, and despite my cautioning him against taking it, he did.”
Hamil carefully folded his arms as he listened. Lady Eli spoke in an odd way. Though she seemed to always talk in this direct, even manner, at present it sounded like she was trying to inflect emotion into her tone. It reminded Hamil of some of his father’s assistants or advisers.
“I see.” He nodded along to make sure he seemed to be listening interestedly.
“So.” A tic of annoyance flitted over her face. “I could tell that you and Bes knew what it was, and what it might do, and I would appreciate you telling me if it is dangerous.”
An unnatural look overcame the lady then. Her eyes were becoming squinty, and she breathed a little heavier through the nose. Was she trying to cry? Or was she trying not to cry?
Either answer made Hamil want to inch backward away from her. “Erm, well, as I said, I-I really don’t know anything—”
Outright irritation flattened Eli’s face. “Did you ever stop and think how you might also be in danger from the device? If you really don’t know anything about it, why are you so calm?”
She advanced on Hamil, making him throw his hands up in the air and say, “It looked harmless enough to me! What power could a tiny brass watch have?”
“A watch?” Eli stilled.
Hamil cringed.
Damnit.
“What’s a watch?”
“Ah… erm… it… tells time.”
“Like a sundial?” Eli pressed, making Hamil retreat until he felt the wall of the ship’s passageway behind himself.
“Y-yes, but it’s more specific than that. It breaks down the ascension of the sun and the moon into increments. Hours. Minutes. Seconds.”
Eli tilted her head interestedly. “I have heard people say, Give me a second, but I’m not aware of where it comes from.”
“Yes,” Hamil nodded. “That is a Lobahlan phrase. Usually they mean that they need more than a second but… you know.”
Eli stared blankly back at him, which indicated to Hamil she did not, in fact, know.
“So… do you… feel… better? My lady? It’s just a device that tells time.”
“It sounds incredibly useful. To measure something so accurately. But would it not be null and void when the days grow shorter in winter?”
“Not at all. It helps us measure how long we need to last until spring comes again by offering a constant marker to reference when the days start getting longer and shorter—though I’m told Lobahl has different season lengths and temperatures compared with other kingdoms.”
“Hm. Why are you and Bes nervous about the ‘watch’?” The lady wagged a finger at Hamil curiously. He suddenly had the very unpleasant memory of being interrogated by his nanny whenever he’d gotten into mischief growing up.
“We aren’t nervous!” Hamil heard himself declare a little too quickly.
He watched with sinking dread as Lady Eli’s eyes narrowed.
She didn’t say anything, merely stared at him. But when he was not more forthcoming, she evidently decided he needed more persuading. “Need I remind you the purpose of this conversation? I want to know if this watch could be dangerous.”
Hamil’s heartbeat quickened. There was a predatory glint in Lady Eli’s eyes that reminded Hamil of a large animal becoming irritated with its dinner. He would’ve taken his beloved nanny at this point.
Why are these foreigners and their pets so damn scary?
“It’s just… some… people. In the past. Have made watches… magic.”
“Yes, the first witch has a device that stops time by using mage crystals. Do you believe this watch can do the same?”
Hamil silently begged the Goddess for divine intervention.
Bes was going to kill him…
“Eli?”
I’m saved!
Lord Tam appeared at his wife’s side.
“I’m surprised you are here. Having a chat… with Hamil.”
Oh Goddess, no…
The nobleman’s dark eyes swiveled curiously over to him.
“I happened across Hamil’s path,” Eli informed her husband tightly.
Lord Tam fixed his unwavering attention on Hamil. “And what were you two talking about?”
Hamil widened his eyes and hoped that the lady would understand that she really shouldn’t relay any of the private Lobahlan information—
“He was telling me that the device we have might be dangerous, as it seems similar to the first witch’s. He called it a watch. It measures time in increments, though I’m not exactly sure the breakdown of time yet. He was about to tell me if he thinks the watch can do more than just that.”
Tam nodded slowly as he listened, but he did not look away from Hamil. He didn’t even blink!
The Lobahlan could feel sweat building over his lip.
Lord Tam lifted his chin; his eyes became cast in shadow as a result. “How about we all go into my and Eli’s cabin and have a bit of tea while we chat, hm?”
Hamil barely resisted a whimper.
He was starting to suspect he may have to part with a lot more knowledge than he had any authorization to…
And that meant that if Bes didn’t kill him before they got home, then his father most certainly would.