Page 27 of King's Warrior

Mother lifted a brow in Niam’s direction. Oh, right. Leave the healer alone. She cleaned the wound and applied a poultice.

Niam grimaced every time Rufe moaned, winced, or otherwise showed any discomfort. He caught himself gripping Rufe’s hand too tightly and eased his grasp.

“I’m surprised Draylon isn’t in here,” Rufe mused, a slight wince momentarily pinching his expression.

Mother continued applying the poultice, slowly rotating Rufe’s foot. She met Niam’s gaze. “Perhaps you should inform him of Rufe’s condition before he barges in, and I have to scold a king.”

What a gentle chastening, sending Niam away so a gifted healer could practice her art. Niam squeezed Rufe’s hand and left for Draylon’s room. Draylon opened the door as soon as Niam knocked, appearing as haggard as Niam felt. Niam entered and closed the door behind him.

“Where is Rufe?” Draylon demanded. Yarif sat on the bed behind him.

“He is safe for now.” Niam dropped into a chair. He should have taken the time to clean up. Somehow, he’d smeared Rufe’sblood on his clothes and likely his hair too. “Those were Whreyn’s men. We killed two more and captured one, but three got away, no doubt to carry word to their thieving wolf of a master.” He could’ve lost Rufe today, or Yarif or Draylon. He peered past Draylon to the bed. “I would take you to task, Cousin Yarif, but you should have been safe on the keep’s grounds. Are the two of you well?”

If only Casseign were here and not traipsing after the worthless waste of flesh known as Lord Whreyn.

“Just a few cuts. Your mother is highly skilled with needle and thread.”

Mother must have worked fast to be free to attend Rufe after seeing to Draylon and Yarif.

Draylon displayed the bandage on his forearm. “Though Bert nearly questioned us to death.”

“Did he?” Niam’s eyebrows reached for his forehead. It was past time to send the boy home.

“Yes. Your mother finally sent him away.”

Niam should’ve dealt with the brat long ago. “He’s the one who gave away your presence to begin with. I think it’s time he answered a few questions of his own.”

“Don’t be too hard on the boy,” Draylon said. “He’s young. He’ll learn.”

Not at the cost of Niam’s family and guests’ safety. “Yes, but what will he learn? As Mother’s apprentice, he has access to my family and information others would kill for. I told you there may be spies in my household. As much as it pains me, I should stopdismissing Bert’s incessant questions as curiosity and look deeper.” The thought wrenched Niam’s heart. He didn’t know the boy well; it was his own fault for not taking the time. Bert was family and young, in need of guidance.

Had Niam’s inattention caused Bert to talk freely to Whreyn?

Niam returned his attention to Draylon’s original question. “Rufe is in his room. I’m afraid our dear captain tried to prevent an attacker from escaping on horseback. He’s injured his leg. Mother is tending him now.” Niam let out a weary sigh. “I have made arrangements. You must leave at dawn. I’ll return to Dellamar. I’ve been away from my duties for too long.”

Tomorrow. They’d go tomorrow. Rufe would leave tomorrow, and Niam would be the one to send him away.

Cormira’s Captain Rufe Ferund just might take Niam’s heart with him.

The conversation turned heavy at the breakfast table the following morning. Yarif and Rufe seemed to understand the importance of enjoying a good meal while they could. They focused their attention on their eggs and sausage, keeping their mouths too busy to speak.

Not that Niam and Draylon had such a problem. Mother watched, for now, merely picking at her eggs while paying rapt attention.

“By leaving now, you’ll be out of the mountains by the next heavy snowfall.” If left up to Niam, they wouldn’t be making the trek through Telaga Pass this time of year. While a convenient shortcut through the mountains, the danger far outweighed the convenience many times. “I’ve sent guards to collect Lord Whreyn to answer for the actions of his men, but they haven’t yet returned.” Please let Casseign be all right. Niam shook his head. Of course the captain would be all right. He was Casseign, the most competent man Niam knew.

Delay might be in Whreyn’s best interest. Niam’s temper needed time to cool down, and his advisors wouldn’t agree to a summary execution. “I finally have the proof I need to arrest him.” Or so Niam hoped. “They are to take him to the castle, where I really do have a dungeon. He shall be… dealt with when we find him. We’re compiling a list of sympathizers who might hide him.” Niam also wouldn’t rush to free him from the dungeon unless Mother suddenly decided she needed more storage space.

Given her opinion of Whreyn, she’d more likely add a new wing to the castle simply for storage.

Draylon nodded, muscles tightly clenched in his jaw. “I’m stopping by the Glendoran camp I mentioned to return the mules, retrieve my horse, and speak to the commander. I plan on dismissing the soldiers back to their homes before the weather turns bad there, too.”

“You would override your father’s authority?” Mother asked. She’d spent far too much time planning strategies with Father.

The scowl on Draylon’s face spoke clearly of his distaste at the emperor being called his father. He’d made his own way in the world, from all Niam had heard, and would never lean on his father’s heavy-handed authority, which had earned him trust and respect. At least that was the impression Niam had been building of Draylon over the last few weeks. Did Draylon’s brother, the emperor’s heir, favor his father or brother?

“My apologies, Draylon.” Mother’s cheeks uncharacteristically pinked. “You’d override the emperor’s authority?”

Only the foolish wouldn’t listen when Draylon applied so much steel in his tone. “Commander Illa is gone. Until further notice, I’ll retake control of the combined Cormiran forces, which is one reason to talk to the Glendoran commander I mentioned.”

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