The loud hum she emanated rattled every part of me, even down to my balls. I forced the lamb into my mouth. Otherwise, I’d be standing here, slack-jawed at the unintentional erotic display.
But gods, it wasn’t erotic at all. She attacked it like a rabid animal. Had I been deprived of touch for too long?
I summoned Cleggris and ordered him to collect some of my favorite sugar and syrup tarts, then guided Alaina to an awaiting carriage. We rode up the steady, cobblestone incline toward my castle composed of entirely white rock that looked as if it’d been carved from the cliffside. The sprawling view of the dazzling blue ocean always stole my breath. It was a shame that Alaina actively avoided peering out the window, but I understood why. She’d had enough wobbly transport for a lifetime.
Once we arrived, I had Alaina escorted to her guest chambers where she could unwind, bathe if she wished, and sleep if she needed to. Unlike Nicholas, I wasn’t immediately bombarded with nervous counselors or shady commanders. No, this kingdom had systems and fail-safes in place to ensure its prosperity. Without my people harboring hatred towards another part of the populus, there wasn’t much dissent through the kingdom.
Occasional squabbles, mostly drunken brawls over the attentions of other patrons toward someone they fancied, or infrequent inheritance disputes. Nothing that a night in the local jail with time to sober up, or arbitrators to draw up contracts, couldn’t fix.
The staff that functioned in my absence operated just the same, even when I was here. Surveys and suggestions in many town forums, a cycle of open communication and updates as need be kept everyone heard and content.
I sauntered through the familiar halls, grateful to know how much better my people fared than elsewhere, but the nagging that’d plagued me since I’d left months ago still thrashed under my skin. Windguard’s people needed help, and I remained conflicted over how best to approach the situation.
I made my way to the records quarters to start sifting through the information we’d been sent for. Evenita told Alaina that a century ago, crates were shipped to Duski just before ArgoraVale's downfall. Whatever the records contained, apparently it was vital that we retrieved it now.
I just hoped we found it before it was too late.
43
Ro
Dae led me to the chef’s tent. I might have thought wearing his clothes would help me blend into this environment, but in his baggy outfit, I stood out like a sore thumb.
While Rahana had people assigned to patrols and defenses, at this camp, everyone dressed like a trained soldier. No one else swam in oversized clothes, and not one person didn’t have their weapons on them.
I’d left my bow and singular remaining arrow in Dae’s tent, a last-minute decision he didn’t catch me making. I thought an armed stranger would bring unwanted attention, but now I very much regretted it.
Dae retrieved two empty bowls, offering one to me. I extended it toward the man doling out portions from his ladle. He looked at me through his one good eye, the other under a patch. His hands were riddled with scars, not unsimilar to Dae’s torso.
I refrained from being outwardly polite, substituting a curt nod instead of thanks. As if that’d diffused whatever sparking interest he held in me, he returned to his cooking duties. Daedidn’t acknowledge me. He moved through this place like an unshakable mountain, unafraid and uninviting. A shadow of the person he’d revealed himself to be over the past few days.
I didn’t like it, but it helped fuel my own facade. I practiced looking down my nose at anyone I locked eyes with, an interaction that looked as frequently used as currency in this place. In a camp of weaponry, intimidation was a trait that everyone armed themselves with. So I would do the same.
Dae silently led us back to his tent. I internally rejoiced when I remembered the way this time. He lifted the fabric entrance, his stripping gaze on alert for those around us as I ducked inside. Sitting on his bed, I barely waited until my butt reached the blanket before shoveling in a heaping mouthful of stew, avoiding the meaty bits. Then another. On the third, my mouth could barely move to chew it was packed so full.
Dae ate equally as quickly, but didn’t let it pile up in his mouth as I had. I worked through the vegetable mush in my mouth and swallowed. “You said they are looking for power. How exactly?”
Dae wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his wrist. “The belief is that magic shouldn’t be suppressed.”
Well, I didn’t expect to agree with them on anything, let alone share the same belief. “They’re not the first ones to think that. But they’re mobilizing. To what end?”
“Don’t know.”
Of course it wouldn’t be that easy to find the answers I was seeking. Unless Dae was lying. I had to keep that option open to see all possible angles.
He drank from his bowl, draining the remains, then set it on the dresser beside the lantern. “At first, I thought it was just to conquer the upper portion of the kingdom. Create their own state or sovereignty. Hell, probably half of Windguard would have joined overnight to hear something like that might exist.”
“But?” I asked before scooping in another spoonful, my body crying for more.
“The way they’ve done it hasn’t been…normal.” He leaned forward in his chair, rubbing his hands between his spread knees.
“What ‘o you mea’,” I asked, my words garbled around the food in my mouth without one drop of desire to slow down or wait to ask.
“They’re not just gathering those abused by the existing power structure. They’ve beenstealingwielders. You’d think those who believe in magic would accept magically blessed into their cause, but they’ve been sucking the power right from them. Infusing other members until they wield excessive, unnatural amounts and combinations. They’re building an army, one that would require a less significant amount of soldiers if one man on the field is worth five. They speak nothing of their plans, only the belief that magic should be free. I don’t know if they have enough to attack Taja, but my guess is that’s what they’re gearing up for.”
“A full on attack on Windguard,” I said, my spoon hesitating in my stew. “Overthrowing the king. Civil war.” I couldn’t lie by saying that it wasn’t a plan I’d support.
“Something about it though,” Dae muttered, running his hand through his dark locks. “They never talk about ruling, or the castle, or the crown. At least, they don’t speak about it in front of us.”
