Page 37 of King's Warrior

Draylon continued, “Instead, Renvalle and Delletina formed an alliance.” The comments were more subdued. The news must have shocked no one, not when Delletina showed up to support Renvalle’s rulers.

King Niam replied, “Emperor Soland tried to take by force what we would have justly offered out of friendship. Delletina is willing to discuss the possibility of joining the empire, but that is a topic for another day. I’m attending merely as a courtesy for offering my support.”

One by one, the commanders of the five kingdoms swore their allegiance to the new emperor.

All regarded Niam.

Avestan saved him. “Maybe one day King Niam of Delletina will do the same. Until then, he’s an honored guest.

Rufe regarded each in turn. Their fealty mattered little if their respective kings and queens didn’t acknowledge Avestan’s right to rule, though he couldn’t imagine why they wouldn’t, given Avestan would be a much better emperor than Soland.

He’d heard rumors while waiting for the meeting about a guard killing Soland to protect Avestan. Draylon’s evasiveness spoke of more to the story. Rufe wouldn’t pry. Draylon would tell him more if Rufe needed to hear.

Avestan finally dismissed the military, keeping only a few guards, Niam, Draylon, Yarif, and Vihaan.

Rufe wouldn’t question, just count his blessings at being allowed to leave. As he passed Draylon’s chair, he leaned in and whispered, “Whatever you do, don’t let anyone tattoo Yarif’s hand.”

Just as quietly, Draylon answered, “I won’t.”

May waited for Rufe in the hallway. “I’ve found the perfect room for you.” Rufe stumbled along behind her.

Thankfully, she didn’t take him far, stopping at a nearby door. “I’ve arranged a bath, meal, and wine for you, as well as clothing. Eat, bathe, rest.”

“What about…?”

May winked. “I’m sure you’ll find all you need in the room. If not, ring for a maid. They’ll know where to find me.”

She turned and sauntered off, far too smug in Rufe’s opinion. He opened the door and stepped into his accommodations. A single room, with no sitting area. Just a bedroom. As promised, a steaming tub sat before a roaring fire, scented with herbs.

The room seemed rather plain in comparison with the castle in Cormira, but far nicer than many places he’d slept. For its small size, it still seemed so big and lonely.

Rufe dropped his clothes where he stood and stepped into the soothing water, determined to wipe politics from his mind. Niam kept returning to his thoughts—he was always welcome there.

Rufe lay in the tub until the water turned cool, pondering all the sudden changes in his life. While Soland wasn’t exactly the picture of youthful exuberance, surely, he’d not been angry enough to cause a heart attack. Then again, it was Soland. With all the evasiveness, there had to be more to the story.

Then he finally lathered, rinsed, and stepped out. A towel and clothing waited on a nearby chair. A dressing gown would do for now. Rufe wrapped the luxurious silken garment around himself and wandered over to a window facing the mountains. The mountains. So close and yet so far away. The sun’s last rays illuminated thelandscape.

A small table and two chairs sat nearby. He sank down, drinking the wine but barely picking at the fruit, cheese, meat, and bread. Where was Niam? What was he doing now? Would he and Avestan get along? Rufe still hoped so.

He grew too tired to stay awake and finally climbed into the bed. No matter how much he tried to wait, he succumbed to sleep.

A whispered, “Rufe?” brought him instantly awake, searching the ground for his sword. Oh. No ground. Soft bed.

“Rufe?” the voice asked again.

By the light of the dying fire, he watched a dark shape cross the room. “Niam? What are you doing here?” Rufe’s sleep-deprived brain might’ve conjured the man.

“I… I’m sorry. A servant called May told me… I’ll go.”

Rufe sprang from the bed, intercepting Niam before he reached the door. “It’s not that I don’t want you here, it’s merely that I don’t quite believe you’re here. Goddess, I’ve been thinking of you ever since I left the meeting.” He brushed a brief kiss over Niam’s lips.

“I must admit, I had trouble concentrating. I can’t remember a single commander’s name except for Vihaan. He’s too big to forget.”

“How did things go with the emperor?” Rufe placed a hand on the small of Niam’s back, guiding him toward the bed.

“I believe I can work with him. He’s more than fair. We discussed what each brings to the table, and how to best help the other kingdoms. I’m excited about the future. Nervous, yes, but I believe good things can come of today.”

Niam filled Rufe in on political details, while Rufe divested his king of his garments. “Wait, these aren’t the clothes you wore earlier.”

---