“Why? I thought he didn't care about anything?”
“What? Why would you think that?”
“I researched Latur after you conveyed his proposal. The book said, and I quote, 'Latur is one of the smaller Dragon Kingdoms, though very prosperous and known for the ferocity of its warriors. The current ruler is King Shaleros the Indifferent.”
“Yes, that is true.”
“Indifferent means that you don't care about anything.”
“Thatis not precisely true in regard to our king.”
“You haven't said much about him.”
Silence.
“That was me prompting you to tell me more about him,” I said.
Gunrel sighed, blowing a cloud of steam before us. The heat was nice since it was winter, although the temperature had been rising as we crossed the water, heading north. It was still chilly, especially up there, but nothing like it currently was in Sken. Shit, this was right down balmy compared to the ice kingdom of Sken.
“He can't have earned that title through kindness,” I tried another prompt.
“It wasn't through unkindness either,” Gunrel said, nice and vague.
“Oh, for the sake of the Gods, just tell me!” I huffed. “I'm flying halfway across Serai to work for the man. I need to know what I'm getting into.”
“Then you should have asked me about him earlier.”
I snorted. “You're right. Why don't you just turn around and take me back?”
“What?” Gunrel growled and lowered his head to me again, locking a glossy green eye on me. The slit pupil widened.
“Well, if you don't tell me why he has that title, I don't think I want to take the job.”
“Son of a human!” he growled.
“That's exactly what I am. Don't make it into a curse.”
Gunrel snorted. “Very well,Sebastian,” he emphasized my name. “King Shaleros is called the Indifferent because he lost his mate and survived.”
“What?” I whispered.
“Yes. No one knows how he managed it, but after Duchess Erelis died, King Shaleros became . . .”
“Indifferent?”
Gunrel snorted again. “Yes, but only to his emotions. He looks after his kingdom, maybe even better than before. But everything he does is methodical. He shows no rage, no humor, no pain, and certainly no affection. It's as if he tore out his heart. Thus, he was named the Indifferent. At first, it was whispered behind his back. But then he overheard it and didn't react. Not at all. And so it has become his moniker. If he felt anything, I'd say he liked the title, but it's more that he doesn't care.”
“That's sad,” I said.
Gunrel let out another sigh. “I have served King Shaleros in his King's Guard for six years now. At first, I thought him sad. But, as I said, he has no emotions. It becomes difficult to feel sorry for him when he doesn't feel sorry for himself.”
“I still think it's sad.”
Gunrel chuckled. “You will learn.”
“Is that land up ahead?” I leaned my head out through a space in his claws.
Gunrel turned to face forward, his long neck smoothly maneuvering his head without shaking the rest of his body.“Well spotted, human. Yes. That is the coast of Latur. It is good to be home.”
