Seemed like reasonable advice to me. I went to lift Dain back up on his feet, but the girl returned with several beers, taking Kael’s coin with a pleased smile.
“The corp is not the one holding the whip handle,” my brother replied. “A lesson that general needs to learn.” Bloody hell. Nothing got Kael’s back up faster than feeling like someone was trying to get something over him. “I’d be happy to do the teaching.”
“Best of luck with that.”
The lieutenant gave us a hastily sketched salute this time, though I’m not sure if it was a sign of respect. Instead, it felt like the kind of thing one did when someone you knew was about to do something very dangerous.
“Maybe we should head back,” I said to Kael as Lance left the tavern. “We could buy a couple of bottles of ale and drink back in the keep.”
Kael prodded at the coin purse.
“Still more of the general’s coin to spend.” He leaned back, intercepting another barmaid. “Bring my brothers another tankard of ale, thanks, love.”
With a sigh, I settled back in the seat and let my eyes fall closed.
Chapter 32
Lorien
Brother.I snuffled at the sound of that voice.Lorien, we?—
Need to get back to the keep?My eyes flicked open, hoping to see the barracks for the first time since coming to Wyrmpeak, but instead saw the tavern. Maids swept and mopped around us, looking pointedly our way, because the place was near empty.I know, lad.
My queen, your queen, they’re back.
Those six words were enough to have me out of my seat, clambering across the table and knocking glasses over as I went to heave Dain up onto his feet.
“Want a hand?” I turned at the strange voice, expecting to see the innkeeper standing there, ready to tell us to move on. Instead, he was some other fellow, wearing a snappy suit, complete with a gold pocket watch. “Marius.” He thrust out a hand, then glanced down at our table. “You look like you need a ride back to the keep.”
“We do.” My eyes narrowed. “And you are?”
“A man that’s making his way to the keep and youfellows….” He took in our now bedraggled cadet uniforms. “Got to get back before the officers come down here. I remember what it was like, to be young and carefree.” I snorted at that. Had we ever felt like that? “I’m also the only one in five miles that has a carriage at his disposal so…”
“Kael,” I snapped, prodding my brother. “We need to get going.”
“Wha…?”
Looks like I was doing this on my own. My shoulder was wedged under Dain’s and I tried to use that to lever him out of his seat. This Marius, he got on the other side and together we got Dain stumbling towards the door.
“Time to make a move,” I told Kael. “Fern and Auren have returned.”
“They have?”
Kael standing up so fast he wavered would’ve been funny any other time. Now he just tripped over his feet in his attempt to get to the door.
Getting the two of them stuffed into this Marius’ carriage was a thankless task. As I flopped back on the seat, I was glad I’d stopped drinking hours ago. It meant I was still sharp as I looked this stranger over.
“So how does a fellow dressed as well as you come to be hanging out at a tavern at some ungodly hour of the morning?” I asked.
“I work for the government.” Marius flicked an invisible piece of lint from his pants. “Collecting information. Taverns are where people let their guards down, so my hunts there are often fruitful.”
“The government?” My mind was starting to whirr again, looking for possible angles. “Any chance you know the prime minister?”
“I come across him from time to time,” Marius replied. “Terribly stuffy fellow.”
“D’ya think you could get word to him?” I leaned forward,elbows on my knees. “Me and my brothers, we rode into Wyrmpeak on those big silver dragons.”
“Those brutes?” Marius’ hands gripped his cane tighter. “Tell me more.”
