“I didn’t mean he was actually in the room,” I exhort as Warden finally stills. “I meant he was in here.” I tap the side of my head. “I heard a voice. It wanted to kill you.”
“It’ll have a job,” Warden scoffs.
“That’s what I said.”
“I did not hear you speak to this voice.” Warden puts his head on one side. “You were in my arms, and the queen told me to put you down on the long chair.”
His brow furrows with pain and my heart pulls towards him.
“So, I put you down and your skin was a funny colour. Your lips a pale blue. The queen went to get a tonic and Reavely…” Warden growls the Barghest king’s name. “He told me you would be fine.”
“I am fine. He was right.”
Warden doubles down on the growl. “No thanks to him.”
“Not sure any of this is the fault of the king.”
“If you tell me whose fault it is, I will ensure they no longer draw breath.”
“This isn’t really helping, Warden.” I sigh. “Somehow, I think the Thegn got in my head. Why my head I don’t understand. But it seems it wants me to give myself to him in order for you to live.”
“I will not allow it,” Warden says, lifting his chin.
“I won’t bloody go,” I fire out. “I won’t ever give in to bullies. The Thegn can take a running jump.”
Warden stares at me for a moment or two before his face splits into a huge grin.
“I mean, you didn’t think I’d want to give in to it, did you?” I say, finding his smile is infectious. “If it has to get into my head to issue threats, then it’s a coward like every other bully I’ve ever met.”
“This is true.” He continues to grin wildly. “Reavely believes the amulet lost, but I doubt that. I believe it doesn’t want to be found.”
“So how do we find it?”
“Once you feel up to it, I think you can help me, along with your sword.”
“The sword is not some sort of magic wand.” I look at where it sits on a chair next to the bed. “It can’t magically bring me things I want.”
Warden chuckles under his breath. I’m about to ask what he thinks is funny when there is a knock at the door which sends my huge Brag into a frenzy, especially when a young female Barghest enters with a tray and the scent of food fills the room.
It is, fortunately, enough to calm him down. The food is left at the end of the bed and the Barghest retreats, no doubt not wanting to spend any more time with a raging Brag in the room.
“Come have something to eat,” I urge. “We don’t know when we’ll get our next meal.”
“You will never go hungry with me,” Warden says haughtily. “As long as there are apples in the worlds, you will be fed.”
“That is my concern.” I pull a platter containing sliced meats and cheeses towards me and take a few bites.
I groan as the flavours hit my tongue. I had no idea how hungry I was until this exact moment.
“Little mate, if you continue to make those noises, I will not be responsible for my actions,” Warden says, shifting his position uncomfortably.
“Then come and eat.”
He finally accepts my suggestion, sitting next to me on the bed as I hand him a different platter containing sliced fruit, cheese, and meat. When I look again, it’s empty and Warden is licking his fingers nonchalantly.
It would appear my Brag was hungry…and apples don’t always suffice, no matter how much he’d like them to. I hand him another plate, and we eat in comfortable silence, contemplating our next steps.
What this amulet will do, I don’t know. But having the Thegn in my mind has made one thing clear.
