Page 65 of King's Warrior

“I don’t think so. Look at Draylon and Yarif. Or even me and…” Rufe checked to ensure his guard wasn’t close enough to alertness to overhear. “Niam. I know nothing can come of us. We’ll have to say our goodbyes one day, but I’ve never been happier than in the here and now. I must be content with what we have.” Even if their love remained hidden. “I can’t miss out on the best thing in my life because of fear of the end.” Wow! Keeping things bottled up meant when Rufe opened the bottle, his heart came spewing out. Relief swept through him, though his confession might not have been much help.

Vihaan stood and clapped Rufe on the shoulder. “Thanks. You’ve been a big help.”

“I have?” How?

“Yes, you have. Now I need to go find a certain Delletinian captain and have a talk.”

“Vihaan? How are the other soldiers treating you?”

“All right. Cass introduced me as a fellow captain to explain why we spend so much time together. He seems well-liked, even if those under his command tease him about his age or lack thereof. I told him I’m the same age, but this is what life on a battlefield does to a man. Despite past hostilities, locals don’t seem nearly as suspicious of a Glendoran as a Cormiran. I think they reserve animosity for the nobility. Commoners believe the evil empire conquered Glendor like they’re trying to conquer Delletina.”

“You’re convincing them otherwise, aren’t you?”

“Oh, yeah. I’ve told them all about the benefits of free trade, starting with Renvallian tea and ending with Herixian wine.” Vihaan chuckled. “The local supplies aren’t the quality one boasts over.”

“You’re being polite now, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Vihaan shifted his weight to one foot, propping the other on the bench. “I can’t say I’ve ever actually drunk goat piss, but the stuff they call tea in these parts has to be close.”

Rufe snickered. “That bad?” He’d had his share of barely drinkable tea over his military career.

Vihaan nodded, a scowl on his lips. “That bad. Possibly worse.”

“Have there been discussions among the ranks about missing or killed soldiers?”

“Rumor says a couple are considered deserters, and the deaths are passed off as personal grudges, but I’m keeping my ears open. It’s amazing the things men say while drinking, especially when they think you can’t understand the language.” Vihaan lowered his voice. “I worry about Casseign. I don’t want his name appearing on the missing or killed list.” A muscle flexed beneath Vihaan’s beard.

“See to it that doesn’t happen.”

Vihaan gave an exaggerated salute, arm crossed over his chest. “You’ve given me my orders. I shall obey.” He set off along the path, a bit of extra spring in his step.

Maybe there was hope for the two soldiers. There needed to be hope for someone.

Chapter Twenty-four

While Rufe considered Niam’s office huge, the many nobles, secretaries, advisors, and who knew who else crowding the room necessitated a move to an even bigger room with a large, rectangular table and chairs for eighteen people. The current crowd stood at twenty-two, with individuals constantly coming and going. How could anyone keep up?

He definitely tried, making discreet notes of names, ranks, and major viewpoints. He’d find out everything he could about each one later.

If only the man Rufe privately called “Lord Toad” would leave. The man thought way too highly of the sound of his own voice. “Lord Rufe. What assurances does the emperor give that he won't seize our lands for contrived infractions?”

Rufe replied for the millionth time, “If you’ll notice on page five of the proposal, paragraph three, Emperor Avestan has no intention of direct involvement in land matters. Those will continue under King Niam’s watchful gaze.” Why did the nobles repeatedly ask the same questions? Were they deliberately stalling? At least they spoke Cormiran, mostly, allowing Rufe to keep his secret ofhow well he’d progressed with Delletinian. Strange that so many spoke an enemy's language.

“Yes, but strange things are happening in the kingdom,” Lord Toad persisted. “Three more guards were discovered dead this morning. How do we know you’re not behind this action?”

Rufe fought not to seek out Niam. Three more guards dead? Why had no one told him? How many did that make since his arrival? Had they known something? “I’m watched by guards every moment. I never stirred from my room last night.” Darn the luck. He’d much rather have been in Niam’s bed.

Until the people came to accept the empire, Rufe, and his role in enforcing the emperor’s wishes, he and Niam couldn’t let anyone know of their relationship, and probably not even then. Why had he even come here? Why couldn’t Draylon have found someone—anyone—else?

The answer was startlingly clear: Rufe would worry even more if Niam were out of reach, a heartbreaking prospect.

The nobles wished to speak with Niam alone, leaving Rufe to his own devices. He wandered out to the stables, two guards trailing at a respectful distance. Maybe Princess might welcome his company if no one else would.

He found the fickle mule, head tipped to the side, a stable lad brushing her neck.

“Oh, pretty girl,” the lad crooned in Delletinian. “What a stunner you are.”

Rufe agreed. He spoke halting Delletinian. “A stunner, but willing to accept any attention, apparently.”

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