Skyre tensed at the grate of Jor’s voice, and he saw those amber eyes fixed upon him.
The men mulling about the square slowed at the prince’s words. Skyre glanced at Greyv, who watched askance as he unsaddled his horse. A dark cloud had followed their heated encounter, and neither had spoken much since. Skyre wondered if he wasn’t just waiting to see the king get the whip.
“And how did the excursion fare? You went with purpose after all,” Jor continued. “After these unfortunate circumstances, I would hope you bring good news. Yet, you return with our Queen looking most unwell. Tell me, did the woodwalkers accept your proposal?”
Skyre felt a hundred blades pointed at his back. Nacht watched on, waiting for his answer, and all the men there gathered turned their ears.
It was dangerous, but to speak false would only damn him further. He could say nothing of the womb tree or the Naém—not yet. But the rest…
“The druids offered me a comfortable place. And my time spent amongst them was not unenjoyable.”
Medhin looked stricken and Rask’s lips twisted.
“How do you explain the injuries?” Jor pressed.
“Thedruids do not engage in war and you well ken it,” Skyre's voice dropped low. “I did not go to fight and they did not receive me in violence.”
“Then bandits, mayhaps? Deep in the green?”
Skyre sneered. “You aren’t entitled to know everything!"
“So you have something to hide?”
“No, I—”
“A simple hunting accident,” said the druid, and Skyre went still. “I asked to accompany His Majesty, and thus it was my fault. I am still unused to riding and hunting is the providence of better men.”
Jor looked as jilted as a scorned wife and he bowed his head. “Then I am most relieved to see His Majesty has not suffered further.”
“The healer, sire!” someone called and Skyre relaxed, if only somewhat.
“Let her through,” he said as the woman jostled past the crowd. She was young, but stern in the face.
She gave a swift and clumsy curtsy. “You requested my services, my liege?”
“See to it my consort is made comfortable and given the best treatment you can provide. You’ll be paid handsomely for your efforts.”
“Yes, sire.”
The druid looked unhappy with his predicament, but Skyre urged him gently on. “Rest,” he said quietly. “Please.”
Another reluctant nod followed and the druid allowed himself to be led off. Skyre watched him go with a growing ache, but turned his attention back to the vultures.
“Maybe one of you will be so kind as to show me the fighting pit. Since you all have something to say.”
Jor scoffed, but Nacht came forwards.
“We are quartered at the inn.”
Skyre followed, letting his council fill in around him. The inn was large, with a closed upper story, and a gambling room off the dining hall, which they repurposed now into their council chamber.
The cramped space made him agitated, and for an instant, he missed being no one.
“After all your posturing, you come back empty-handed,” said Jor as soon as they were out of earshot. Nacht and Rask had followed, but Greyv had vanished upstairs, leaving Skyre to the pillory.
“Whether I did or did not, it isnae for you to interrogate me before my men. Or have you forgotten yourself in a matter of days?” said Skyre.
“Someone had to give orders while the laird was away,” Jor said.
