Really? “You could always force me to teach you.” Yarif narrowed his eyes. “You have that power over me.”
“Just because I have theperceivedpower doesn’t mean I’ll use it. Besides, you’re far from helpless.”
“I’m not a powerful warrior like you.”Power comes in many forms,Captain Unger often said.
“Tell me. Have you ever killed a man?” Draylon’s question wasn’t a challenge, sounding merely curious.
Should Yarif confess? Let the truth serve as a warning. What punishment could Draylon possibly mete out now? “Yes, I have.”
Draylon’s eyebrows shot for his hairline. “You have?”
“Don’t act so surprised. Two men tried to take the twins as they played in the garden. I defended them.”
“With your sword… rapier, whatever?”
With knives, actually, but Yarif wasn’t ready to share such information yet. However, a blade was a blade. “Yes.”
“I’m impressed. So, will you teach me?”
Yarif should refuse on principle alone. Possibly the words were meant as insincere flattery. “I’ll consider your request.”
“What are those strange trousers you’re wearing?”
“Traditional practice garments that don’t restrict movement, but they're loose enough for my mentor to have seen imperfections in my stance. We’ll have to have some made for you—if I agree to teach you, that is. You’ll need a rapier too. You can sometimes find them at an arms seller’s booth at the market.” Yarif would have to look for one if and when he could freely explore the city again. He wasn’t about to surrender his ancestral sword, and Captain Unger had made Yarif swear to only give Unger’s rapier to someone worthy.
Draylon sketched a sweeping bow. “I’d be honored.”
Memories of the morning’s discoveries prodded Yarif’s mind. This impromptu visit might work to his advantage. “While you’re here, I’d like to discuss something.”
“Yes? More demands?” Draylon quirked an eyebrow.
“Something like that. Some of our more remote villages have reported raids on their grain stores. Sheep and cattle are also disappearing. I assume they were taken by Cormiran troops.” Yarif lowered his chin, looking up through his lashes. “The people work hard. They don’t deserve to starve.”
“Make a list. I’ll make reparations if the army commandeered them.”
Really? Usually, the soldiers took what they wanted in the emperor’s name, leaving just enough for the villagers to barely get by. “Why concern yourself with Renvallians?”
“Because they’re my people now too.” Draylon met and held Yarif’s gaze. “Even if they weren’t, they’re citizens of the Cormiran Empire. I’m sworn to take care of them.”
Yarif stared at Draylon for several long moments, finding no sign of sarcasm. If Draylon seriously wanted the best for Renvalle’s people, Yarif could work with that. “Missing supplies are happening more and more along our border with Delletina.” Let Draylon interpret the details for himself before Yarif spoke his suspicions aloud.
Draylon ceased his perusal of the nearly bare room to refocus on Yarif. “Cormir hasn’t had many dealings with Delletina since they refused an invitation to join the empire two centuries ago—unequivocally, I might add. Do they often make raids?”
Yarif shook his head. “Not since before my birth, that I’m aware of. We’ve enjoyed a few good harvests. Their farming conditions are similar to ours, so they shouldn’t need more.” Was now the time to meet Draylon halfway, providing information? Yarif only repeated what Draylon already knew. Mostly. “I’m told my father planned to kill the emperor, wrest Renvalle from the empire, and possibly align with one of our neighbors, but neither he nor Baro gave me details. There were a few visitors to the castle but none from Delletina that I was aware of.”
“There were attempts on the emperor’s life as well as Crown Prince Avestan’s. I apprehended and questioned the assassins myself. They provided enough information to clearly implicate your father. While he stood no chance of taking the imperial throne, the deaths would have cast the empire into turmoil, leaving Herix and Draige vulnerable to attack. Possibly Glendor, as well.”
Certain requisitions came to mind for additional weapons, armor, and horses. Could the missing stores have been taken in preparation for war?
There went Yarif’s last hope of clearing the DiRici name. Even so, better to be sure. The stores could have been taken by someone else. “I’d like to send someone to investigate.”
“That’s not a demand. That’s doing your job.” Draylon took Yarif’s hand. “You care about your people. That much is clear. And admirable. I’ll strive to live up to your expectations and not make this situation even more uncomfortable.”
Draylon's warm grip caused squirming sensations in Yarif's stomach. Yarif should let go, yet couldn't bring himself to. “May I ask you something?” What possessed him to ask, he’d never know.
“I’ll answer as honestly as I can.” Those deep brown eyes…
Yarif had to look away. “I grew up knowing I’d be a consort to a lord or lady. I was never asked my preference. Is it the same for you? Are you taking a male consort because of the emperor’s plans, or is that what you would have chosen for yourself?” Draylon having children with a mistress could complicate the relationship. Many such mistresses solved the consort problem by ending the consort and taking their place.
