“Respect and honor.”
“Words by which we live by. When a guest comes to call, we answer as etiquette demands.”
Raiden’s mouth twisted with disgust. “Then are we to be cowards who turn the other cheek? I was here to witness them insult my mother and smear our name. I stopped them from attempting to capture her. Not you. Do not speak to me of respect and honor when you have none for her.”
Pausing, Rawn met his eyes. Whatever Raiden saw on his face made him shift back a step. “A man’s duty is to protect his family. A son’s duty is to show respect.” Raiden reddened and lowered his gaze. “Are you armed?”
The question made Raiden’s brow furrow. He had no scabbard at his waist, but with a murmured spell, he conjured a blade of teal light.
Rawn nodded. “Good. Now escort your mother and host our guests. I will join you presently.” He climbed the shadowed steps to the third landing. His bow and quiver waited for him by the alcove that overlooked the dining room.
Dyna and the others were already there. They kept quiet and to the shadows, only to watch. This was something he had to deal with on his own.
Voices swarmed as many lords filed into the large dining room. All doors were open, leaving the curtains to billow gently from the wind coming through the courtyard. Eldred motioned for their guests to please be seated. They sat at the long table, laughing and conversing as servants set out platters of food and decanters of wine.
Rawn searched the crowd until he spotted a tall elf dressed in blue robes with a silver circlet pinning back his light brown hair. Varden’s ashen blue eyes swept the dining room as he entered with his guards. The sigil of a sassafras leaf sitting above a half crescent of stars embossed their breastplates.
Quite expectedly, Varden chose to sit himself in Rawn’s chair at the head of the table, directly across from the alcove.
Fifty feet of distance.
Giving him the perfect angle.
Rawn lowered to one knee and nocked his bow with an arrow.
“Your Grace!” Varden called pleasantly when Aerina and Raiden entered. “At last, you bless me with your presence. I was beginning to believe you were snubbing me.”
“I would never, Lord Karheim,” Aerina’s voice floated to Rawn from below his perch. “I am pleased you could join us today.”
His wife came into view with her hand on Raiden’s arm. She wore a lovely pine-green gown with the bodice embroidered in gold. Silver brooches pinned up her hair.
“Forgive me, Mother, but I really must protest,”Raiden whispered to her.“I find this cordiality far too generously given.”
“Hush and trust your father.”
Perhaps trust was a lot to ask. Rawn was a stranger to him, but they were family. And no harm would ever befall his family.
He watched as his wife and son moved to sit on the opposite end of the table from Varden.
“I am told you traveled to Avandia regarding the concern with Red Highland and Lord Norrlen’s capture,” Varden commented. “I am sorry to hear of his passing.”
It was said with enough sympathy, yet he couldn’t quite disguise the satisfaction from his gaze.
Raiden stiffened in his chair at the assumption.
Aerina lowered her head. “Thank you for your sympathies, Lord Karheim.”
“Let us toast to his valiant achievements.” Varden raised his golden cup. “Rawn Norrlen was a renowned soldier who inspired many with his leadership, selflessness, and conduct. Greenwood will mourn his loss.”
Well, that brief speech almost sounded genuine.
Varden drank the rest of his wine, as did the other lords, offering their feigned praises. He motioned his empty cup to Aerina. “I seem to be out of wine. If you would be so kind, Your Grace.”
Aerina paused at the ill-mannered request, and the room quieted. Then she gracefully stood up. “Of course.”
“Mother,”Raiden hissed in disbelief.
Taking a decanter from a servant, she walked around the table to him. Rawn’s pulse thrummed as he kept his gaze on his wife. Varden eyed her with a leering smile while she poured more wine into his cup.
