Chapter 13 #2
Dravic’s gaze swept over the shattered latch before returning to the men. “Speak to the innkeeper, Skellie. Have him tell you where the two men I spoke with last night can be found. Bring them here.”
“Aye, my king.”
The room fell silent once again.
Dravic remained seated on the edge of the bed, staring at the shattered door that hung crooked in its frame, but his thoughts had long since moved beyond splintered wood and a broken latch. Both could be easily fixed. Not so much the situation he had created.
He turned to Adira. She sat behind him, the blanket gathered in her lap, her green eyes full of questions and worry. How did he explain it to her? Not so much what just had happened but the consequences that were sure to follow.
Adira glanced at the bed, then tapped her chest, pointed to him, patted the mattress between them, and shrugged.
Dravic easily understood she asked him how they were in bed together.
“You were cold,” he said, and shivered as if freezing, then pointed to her and hugged himself. “I wanted to warm you. Then I fell asleep.” He tilted his head, put his hands together and pressed them against his cheek, then closed his eyes briefly.
She nodded, understanding, smiled softly, then pressed her hand to his chest in thanks.
He looked down at her hand firm against his chest, its warmth spreading through him so deeply and gently that he wanted to linger in it.
Then suddenly it was gone.
He looked up at her. Her eyes had gone wide and she patted her chest rapidly. It was easy to understand she was apologizing for touching him without permission. Something she had done before never giving it thought and neither had he. But here alone together felt different.
Dravic didn’t hesitate, he took hold of her hand and placed it against his chest.
Adira’s eyes turned ever wider, not sure what the king meant, then he nodded.
Was he telling her she could touch him without permission?
He pointed to her, then himself, then locked two fingers together and glanced around the room. “When we are alone, you can touch me without seeking permission.”
Then he released her hand.
Adira thought she understood what he said and to make sure she did, she glanced around as he had done, then slowly reached out and placed her hand on his chest.
Dravic nodded, a slight smile touching his lips.
Adira smiled wide seeing his faint smile and was happy he trusted her enough to touch him without permission, even if it was only when they were alone.
Dravic felt a catch in his chest, seeing her so pleased and feeling it as well. Or was that his own pleasure he felt, knowing he would once again enjoy her touch?
Voices from downstairs drew his attention and he stood and pointed to the door, then to himself and Adira.
Adira nodded and hurried out of bed. She quickly combed her hair with her fingers and braided it, then shook what wrinkles she could from her skirt, and after slipping on her boots, she splashed a handful of water in her face from the bucket by the hearth.
Dravic watched her as he fastened his sword at his waist. He never noticed how pretty Adria truly was.
She had the palest and softest skin and not a blemish or scar marred her face.
And there was a brightness in her green eyes that he had never seen in others.
With how difficult life must be for her not being able to hear or speak, she still found joy in it.
Adira picked up the king’s cloak and gave it a shake, then held it out to him.
He took it and draped it around his shoulders, then took her hand. “Together.”
Adira smiled and nodded, not sure what he said but with a faint smile touching his lips once again, it had to be something good.
Dravic led Adira down the narrow staircase, his hand remaining firm around hers until they reached the last step. Only then did he release it.
The common room bustled with the sounds of breakfast. Tankards thudded against rough wooden tables, voices mingled with the crackle of the hearth, and the rich aroma of fresh bread, porridge, and smoked ham filled the air.
The moment he stepped into the common room, every sound ceased. Conversations died unfinished. Tankards hovered halfway to waiting lips. A serving girl stood motionless, a platter balanced on one hand.
Even the crackle of the hearth seemed suddenly too loud in the silence.
Skellie hurried forward at once and bowed deeply. “My king.”
One by one, every person in the room followed his example. They all bowed their heads to show their king respect.
Dravic acknowledged them with a single nod.
The room stirred cautiously, though no one returned to their meal. Curious eyes followed every movement of their king, then drifted to the young woman at his side before quickly looking away.
Skellie stepped forward. “The men you asked for are waiting, my king.”
He motioned toward a table tucked into the far corner of the room.
The two elite guards stood watch over two older men who rose as Dravic approached, both bowing respectfully.
Dravic stopped beside the table and acknowledged them with a brief nod.
“Sit.”
The men obeyed.
Dravic remained standing while Adira remained a step behind him.
“I will tolerate no lies,” Dravic cautioned.
The one older man met the king’s steady gaze without flinching. “I have no reason to lie to my king.”
“Your name.”
“Hollis.”
“You spoke of Ernach last night, Hollis, as though he still lives.”
“He does, my king.”
Dravic’s expression remained unchanged as he said, “Ernach was my grandfather’s Master of Arms. He betrayed the crown and was hunted down and killed years ago. How could you have spoken to a dead man?”
Hollis shrugged. “I have no answer to that, my king. The fellow claims he is Ernach but since I never met Ernach before then, I cannot say for sure if it is truly him. What I can say for certain is that he knows a great deal about the Great War, King Halric, and your da, Prince Edric.”
Was it possible? Could Ernach still be alive? If he was, then he would get answers to questions that had plagued him of late.
Dravic rested one hand on the table. “When did you last see him?”
Hollis answered without hesitation. “Just the other day.”
Dravic saw no deceit in the man’s face, but then lying came so easily to so many.
He turned a scowl on the man. “If this is some foolish attempt to deceive your king—”
“It is not,” Hollis hurried to say. “I have no wish to earn the king’s wrath, and no reason to invent such a tale.”
Dravic let silence respond and linger, until he finally asked the only question that mattered.
“Where can I find him?”
The two men exchanged a brief glance.
Hollis answered, “Just beyond the border, my king.”
Dravic waited, the man hesitant to continue.
“Ernach resides…” Hollis drew a cautious breath. “…in Driochmor.”