Alameda turned to face us with a tight-lipped smile. “Jane, you look stunning. Red is really your colour. And Reagan—” She turned to him and tilted her head. “Thank you for being on time.”
Reagan narrowed his eyes, but I didn’t think he was looking at her.
“Thank you, Alameda. You—”
I was interrupted by a sharp gasp, already knowing its source, likely prompted by my casual address of his lady. He actually made me miss Barracus.
“Is something wrong, Roak?” Reagan’s voice was deceptively calm, his eyes crinkled. “You sound upset. Care to share?”
I held my breath. The staff leader looked unperturbed despite the clear threat in the Mage Lord’s tone.
Bold. Or stupid.
“He was just leaving, as should we.” Coriander turned to his staff leader. “Thank you, Roak. We should be back before dinner.”
The man bowed slightly and left the foyer without another word.
That was unmistakable aversion, unsettling enough that I had to control my expression as the Barrows faced me.
Reagan kept his attention on Roak until he was out of the foyer, then asked, “Is that how your staff treats guests?”
“Roak has his concerns with humans, but we don’t think the same way,” Alameda replied, meeting my gaze. “We apologise for that.”
Coriander continued, “Jane, no offence to you, I hope you know. But it is not common to have a company like yours. We are delighted to have you, but it is not like that for all.”
Reagan chuckled bitterly. “She’s not supposed to take offence at that?”
“It’s fine,” I said. “I suppose he’s not used to humans.”
The staff leader hadn’t been the first to seem uncomfortable with my presence in their territory. But unlike in Mountheim, I was a guest here and had done nothing to earn his distrust.
It left a bad taste in my mouth, and for once, I had to admit Reagan was right. There was a visible conflict in the situation. I didn’t know if it justified his behaviour. I didn’t know enough,and I didn’t want to stir unnecessary conflict, not when he had plans that relied on the Barrows.
I met Reagan’s gaze with what I hoped was a reassuring expression. I had a feeling he wasn’t used to yielding. But he did, letting out a deep exhale.
“Shall we?” Alameda asked, and we turned to the arched exit.
Reagan kept his hand on my lower back, and I hadn’t expected to welcome the reassurance as much as I did.
As we stepped outside, I gazed at a stone stairway that descended the rocky hill on which the castle stood, leading toward a cluster of streets and houses in the distance, all lining the coast.
On this side of the castle, a harbour city stretched beyond the reach of my sight. The sky above us was awash with vibrant hues of yellow, blue, and grey. A fleet of ships loomed on the horizon. In the ocean.
Alameda told me how Erisea was a thriving market for seafood, and how the countryside plains provided ample space for plantations and farms. I assumed this would be relevant to the trade Reagan wanted to discuss. When I glanced at him, his nod confirmed my assumption.
“Of course, not all the estate is as established as this city,” Alameda explained. “The harbour city is the heart of Erisea, but Cor and I have to travel the countryside constantly to address the problems that hinder progress there.”
“What type of problems?” I asked, noticing some of the folk nodding and waving at the Barrows.
“It’s not all businesses that are set for success in Erisea,” Coriander said thoughtfully. “Some deal in rare materials. Others just lack the funds for the initial investment. We find a different case in each town we visit.”
“Any trouble lately?” Reagan asked.
“The same,” Alameda replied, her usual easy smile absent. “Most of our incidents are still caused by wanderers.”
Reagan gave a quick nod. “And beyond people?”
“Not often,” Coriander said. “Our main hazard is the sea spiders clinging to the hulls of the ships, but the wards keep them at bay.”
