Page 76 of King's Warrior

Vihaan grinned and embraced Rufe, slapping him firmly on the back. “I thought my days of camping in the woods waiting for you or Draylon ended when I became part of the emperor’s personal entourage.” He slapped Rufe on the back again, nearly making Rufe stumble, then ran a judging perusal over Rufe’s body and wrinkled his nose. “Been traveling rough, haven’t you?”

“Yeah.” At least the disguise served its purpose. No one would think Rufe anything but a peasant. And no one without a vested interest would linger past the pervasive body odor. Wash in anice-cold stream? Never! Rufe could barely stand himself, and even Princess snorted at his approach the last few days.

“My sentries mentioned a single rider. Where’s your guard? Were you waylaid?” Vihaan motioned for Rufe to follow him down a narrow path through the woods. Vihaan’s men trailed behind them, leaving room for Princess, who pranced faithfully at Rufe’s heels as though she hadn’t trudged muddy roads for days. Ah, an audience. More admirers to win over.

“We decided it would be best for them to go one way and me another, to throw enemies off the trail.” Rufe smirked. “You know how it is. They consider Cormirans spoiled young lordlings unable to travel alone.”

“You? Have enemies? Say it ain’t so.” Vihaan clutched comically at his heart. “And lordling? How you wound me.”

Vihaan had turned his back on his noble heritage in favor of serving the emperor, a commonality between them. All humor and joy at seeing a friend—finally arriving in Renvalle—fled at the reminder. “I ran into a few of Illa Trandores’ stragglers.”

Vihaan’s brow furrowed. “I didn’t think Draylon left any alive.”

“I corrected the oversight. They tried to take my mule.”

“Ah. Yes.” Vihaan turned to eye Princess, still regal despite layers of road grime. “What a beautiful creature she is. How dare thieves attempt to lay a hand on her.”

“She killed one herself.”

Vihaan swept an exaggerated bow. “My esteem for the dear lady grows.” He pursed his lips, nodding. “Yes, the noble Princess. She’s far too good for the likes of you. A lady requires a delicate hand.”

“A lady who kills thieves?”

“I see your point. Perhaps you’re perfectly matched, after all.”

Niam had said the same thing while gifting her. Niam. Rufe’s heart clenched. He’d likely never see his lovely red-haired king again.

But he would always love him.

They entered a large clearing set with a few tents, nothing like the camp where Rufe first met Vihaan’s invading force, ready to take on Delletina, back before he’d met Niam.

Vihaan motioned over a young soldier who couldn’t be much older than Rufe when the Craicians had taken him. “Take care of Commander Rufe’s mount.”

The boy’s eyes widened. Because he recognized the name or didn’t believe the bedraggled man before him held a commander’s rank, who could say?

Vihaan continued, “If you’ll come to my tent, I’ll arrange what passes for a bath in these parts, and a shave if you’d like. I also have clothing for you, courtesy of King Consort Yarif of Renvalle. I’m ordered to bring you to Cormira to see the emperor.”

Panic momentarily gripped Rufe. “Emperor Avestan wants to see me? Why?” Whatever could he want?

“I don’t know. I’m supposed to bring you.” Vihaan didn’t smile. “I do what my emperor says.”

Which delayed Rufe's homecoming. A good thing? Or bad?

Rufe relaxed as much as possible in the small wooden tub in Vihaan’s tent, which felt more luxurious than the finest bathing chamber after living rough. Damnation, but he’d reeked. He’d ordered the clothes he arrived in to be buried somewhere. May he never see them again.

He’d best get out before his cock shriveled embarrassingly small and played havoc with his ego. Water made the air around him feel colder, though he knew the temperature to be reasonable for winter. No use putting off the inevitable. He dressed in the clothing generously provided by Yarif. Not as warm as Delletinian attire, but the new woolen cloak helped.

Vihaan entered and sat on a cushion, pointing to another nearby for Rufe. A private entered with two covered bowls. The scent of roasted meat filled the air, something fragrant, like stew. “Ah, just in time. Sit. Eat.”

Rufe’s stomach rumbled. He sat, taking a bowl and spoon. The first taste made him moan. Relying on meager stores didn’t make for many hearty meals while on the road. Career soldiers adapted, but Rufe still wasn’t above appreciation when something better came his way. “This is very good.”

“One of our scouts is a local lass who knows where to forage mushrooms and wild herbs.” Vihaan ate, manner casual, but his customary joviality seemed missing.

“What’s on your mind?” Rufe asked.

“We’ve heard disturbing reports of unrest in Delletina. King Draylon ordered me to escort you to the capital with a few soldiers, but my regiment will stay here.”

“Regiment?”

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