Page 81 of Whispers of the Elderoak

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Ava and Casimir arrived in front of a wooden door. They had walked through countless hallways decorated in congruence with the rest of the castle; plants, flowers and trees adorning each space. She was relieved to be at the end of this painful trek. Her leg was throbbing, and she could barely put any weight on it.

“We’re here,” Casimir said as he turned around. The first words he’d spoken since leaving the throne room.

The door was protected by two guards, one on either side, dressed in thick brown leather armor like Casimir’s. The oak tree insignia was imprinted on their shoulder, and they were armed to the teeth with swords and daggers. One guard was a fair-skinned fae woman with violet eyes and blue hair in one long braid over her shoulder. The other was an orc with green skin, dark brown eyes, and black hair shaved on one side of his head. They both watched her curiously.

Casimir spoke to the guards with a voice full of authority as he opened the door. “She is not to leave this room unless she is accompanied by me, Raine, Quinn, Jorrar or The King. If youfind her a threat, do not hesitate to throw her in the dungeons. Understood?”

“Yes, general,” the guards replied.

“Pax, will you send for Kai?”

The orc nodded and disappeared down the hall as Casimir led Ava into a large living room and gestured toward the plush forest green couch. “Sit. I want to look at your leg.”

Sighing, she plopped down, relieved to be off her feet at last. “Why? You’re not a healer.”

“Because I’ve been bitten by one of those before. Just want a closer look.”

The living room was large yet cozy and a roaring fireplace took center stage in front of where she was perched on the sofa. Plush rugs and chairs dotted the seating area, providing enough room for at least half a dozen people. This room continued the castle’s theme of integrating nature into its essence. Everything was decorated with warm greens and browns, vines hanging from the ceiling among the same lanterns she had seen throughout the castle.

A dining table sat at the other end of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs, all intricately carved with designs of leaves and vines. Another corner housed a bookshelf and a desk.

One wall was made of open archways, leading to a balcony overlooking an elaborate garden. The balcony was shaded by a massive tree and plants grew all along the carved stone railing.

“This castle is beautiful,” she said quietly.

Casimir nodded as he sat on the other end of the couch and carefully lifted her leg, placing her foot in his lap as he inspected her injuries. Removing her boot, he set it on the ground and slowly pulled up her pants leg. She winced as he touched the punctures, now red and inflamed from walking. Sweat dripped from her brow as she gritted her teeth.

He looked up at her, golden eyes flaring with a tinge of guilt. “You’re in a lot of pain.”

She glared at him as he held her ankle on his leg, his hand warm despite the rough calluses. “Making me walk down these long halls sure didn’t help. So, how did you get bitten?”

He sat back and removed his hand from her ankle, putting his arm on the back of the couch. “One of the many battles I’ve fought in to keep the army away from Monterre. I was younger and got distracted.”

“Why wasn’t their army killed off while they were gone?” she asked.

“Well,” Casimir said, crossing an ankle over his knee. “We don’t have enough forces. All we’ve been able to do is keep them at bay. We lost too many during the battles and retreated long ago.”

“Won’t the other kingdoms help?” she asked.

“It’s a long story. And I’m not answering any more of your questions until you’ve answered ours.” He gave her a small smirk, the first time he’d even attempted to smile at her.

“Fine.”

He looked at her, silent for a moment. “That was really stupid you know.”

“What was?”

“What you said back in the throne room.”

“I wasn’t threatening him.”

“It sure sounded like it.” He looked at the fireplace and then back at her again. “Let me give you some advice.” She stared at him, waiting. “Don’t threaten a king the moment you meet him. You’re lucky Thorne is kindhearted. There are other kings in Eorhan who would have immediately had you beheaded for your disrespect.”

“Fine.” She sighed. “I’ll be more careful.” She didn’t care at the moment, her pain so great it was clouding her judgment and she wanted to bathe and sleep for a month.

“Alright,” he said. “I presume Kai will arrive soon. Can you walk to your room, or do you need to be carried?” he asked with reluctance.

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