Chapter 29
Cassian recounted our last adventure with the strange paint monster and my suspicions of the blind artist.
When he had finished, Titus was left rubbing his chin in one hand. “Velario? As in Damiano Velario?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I think that’s what his first name was. Most people just called him Velario.”
“Have you heard the name?” Cassian asked him.
Titus bobbed his head. “Yes, I believe so. He frequents the lower ends of the capital, painting portraits of any willing subject, though he particularly likes the young women.”
My face drooped. “Yep, that sounds like him.”
“But you haven’t heard any shadowed reports of his comings and goings?” Cassian wondered.
“No, but I know a few people in those parts who could make inquiries.”
Cassian chuckled. “What part of my city don’t you know someone in?”
Titus flashed him a mischievous grin. “Well, I’m not exactly welcome at the Conservatory.”
“What’s that?” I piped up.
Titus wrinkled his nose. “The preeminent place for blowhards and braggarts to go when they find reality distasteful.”
Cassian leaned toward me and lowered his voice. “The institution in the capital that studies magic.”
“They should be studying how all those egos can fit on one campus,” Titus quipped.
“So I’m guessing you were kicked out,” I mused.
He puffed out his chest. “Expulsion? Why not go for the ultimate prize when attempting to infuriate those boasters?”
I blinked at him. “So what did they do to you?”
“They created a spell just for me that keeps me from setting foot on campus.” A barking laugh escaped me, and a silly smile appeared on his face. “I suppose I’m being a braggart about that, aren’t I? Nobody else has such an honor, though.”
“Nobody else would consider it an honor,” Cassian pointed out with his own grin.
Titus shrugged. “They had it coming.”
My ears perked up, and I leaned toward him. “What did they do that made you want to be expelled?”
He turned his nose up and sniffed. “A fair damsel among the populace there wouldn’t heed my love letters.”
My mouth dropped open. “Really? That’s it?”
“She also had them printed in their local newsletter under the ‘Bad Prose section. The publication was approved by some of the highest authorities on campus.”
I winced. “Ouch. So how’d you handle it?”
“With my usual poise and grace.”
Cassian’s whispered voice floated over my ear. “He got drunk and started a brawl in front of the main research hall.”
“And that got them mad enough to create a spell just for you?”
“No, it was when I swiped the warden’s magic broom and used it to sweep every lavatory on campus. I would have finished with the front foyer had one of the professors not spotted me carrying my rightfully stolen item.”
Cassian cleared his throat. “As entertaining as your stories are, my dear friend, we should be moving faster, or we won’t make the inn before the coming winter.”
Titus eyed our steed with an uncertain air. “We won’t make it there by nightfall if Niveus can’t carry you.”
Niveus threw back his head and whinnied. Cassian smiled and stroked the side of his neck. “Then you’ll carry us?”
The horse bobbed his head.
“Grace might ride with me,” Titus offered as he nodded at his own steed. “Old Audax can carry more than he looks.” His horse threw back its head and snorted. Titus grinned and bowed his head to his steed. “My apologies. The young Audax can carry quite a bit.” His horse bobbed its head.
Cassian patted the side of Niveus’ neck. “Niveus has had enough rest to carry the whole of my army, and the road is not long now.”
Thank God.
We climbed aboard our steeds and took off down the road.
The remainder of the trip that day was a blurry blend of trees, fields, and small farmhouses.
It was nearing sunset when the main road forked, and a large, two-floor inn rose at the intersection.
The establishment seemed to have been hewn from the very trees, being made of huge logs stacked one on top of the other to make the thick walls.
The front door itself was a massive sheet of wood, with a small square view hole with a slider cover.
A stable stood nearby, equally stout and imperious, but with the addition of some kind of bell tower on the roof.
Light cascaded out of the lower-floor paned windows and onto the hard-packed ground. The thick walls couldn’t stifle the laughter and dancing feet that echoed inside. We were met by these joyous sounds and a few lads from the stable.
“Good evening, Lord Titus!” one of them shouted at our companion.
“Good evening to yourself, lads,” Titus returned as he nodded at us. “I’ve brought some company. Are their rooms prepared?”
The lad bowed his head. “Yes, sir, and the casks were opened a half hour ago.”
Cassian chuckled. “They must have heard news of our coming.”
The boy pointed at the bell tower above the stable. “The crows told them, sir.”
Cassian grasped my hand and grinned. “Then we shouldn’t disappoint them a moment longer.”
We three stepped inside and found the inn’s large front room a den of celebration. Cassian’s men crowded the round tables, the tops of which were stacked with mugs both empty and full, and platters of food. Their raucous singing shook the open beams above our heads and rattled the windows.
One of the merry men noticed our coming and hopped to his feet, depositing a woman on the floor. He raised his half-finished mug to us. “Attention, men! His Majesty has come!”
The whole company jumped to attention. Cassian smiled at the crowd and used a hand to gesture to the feast. “Please continue. You’ve done a fantastic job without me so far!”
The men gave a great holler and stampeded over to their commander. Titus grabbed me and pulled me out of harm’s way as they crowded around Cassian.
“It’s good to see you, Your Highness!”
“Looking as good as ever!”
“What took you?”
Cassian held up his hands. “All in good time, men. I would hear how everyone is faring.”
“All treated and rested, sir,” one of the men spoke up.
“Then what do you say to a celebration of that?” Cassian suggested. They let out a cheer, and somebody handed Cassian a full mug. He raised the glass to his men. “To joyous reunions, and may the scourge of the nethral be vanquished through our deeds.”
“To the end of the nethral!” the man shouted before they downed their drinks.
The men resumed their rowdy celebration. I slipped out of Titus’ gentle hold and over to Cassian, where I grasped his sleeve and leaned toward him to lower my voice. “I think I’d rather get some rest.”
Cassian inclined his head. “Of course. Let me show you to your room.”
“It’s the first one you come to up the stairs,” Titus told him.
Cassian handed Titus his half-finished mug and guided me up the stairs to my door. We stopped outside the entrance, and he turned to face me. A bittersweet smile slipped onto his lips. “I suppose this means our little fantasy is over.”
“You mean about being husband and wife?” I guessed as my heart, too, sank a little. “I suppose it does.”
He grasped my hand and kissed the back. “Goodnight, sweet bride.”
I didn’t get a chance to reply, as a shout from the lower room captured our attention. “Your Majesty! What ails you?”
“Come drink with us, Your Highness!”
Cassian bowed his head to me and slipped away. I sighed and disappeared into my bedroom. Sleep soon followed.