Page 76 of Blood Weaver
After a few minutes, we arrived at a tent that was much larger than the ones surrounding it. I paused just outside before Mykal backtracked to the opening, grabbed my arm, and hauled me into the tent.
The opulence was evident inside the Commander’s tent. Thick canvas walls were lined with ornate tapestries depicting glorious Keldaran battles. Torches were placed in bronze holders, casting a warm, golden hue across the spacious interior. The sleeping area was cordoned off with a lavish curtain of deep blue velvet, embroidered with gold thread. The plush bed,complete with intricately designed posts and drapery, looked inviting, the thick furs and soft pillows indicating a taste for luxury.
Adjacent to the sleeping quarters, the office area was dominated by a massive wooden desk with maps of different territories, inkpots, quills, and official-looking parchments cluttering its surface. The mahogany chair behind the desk had intricate carvings of Keldaran victories and a cushioned seat, emphasizing the importance of the person who sat there.
To the right, a dining area boasted a long wooden table, polished to a mirror shine, surrounded by chairs draped in furs. Goblets and plates with remnants of food suggested a recently concluded meal.
But it was the throne in the center that snagged my attention. Majestic in design, it was made of dark oak with a high back that soared almost to the tent's lofty ceiling. The arms of the chair were adorned with carvings of rearing stallions, while the seat and back were cushioned with furs from beasts that must have been quite exotic. From the very aura of it, the throne screamed authority.
Mykal dragged me inside and tossed me onto the bed. But instead of attacking me, he walked over to his desk and sat down, shuffling through papers and ignoring me completely.
“Why am I here?” I asked, afraid to move an inch. “Are you really going to kill them? Are you trying to get to Ronan? What do you want with me?”
“What Iwantis for you to be quiet.” Obviously irritated, his eyes flicked up from his documents to me.
“But—”
When he placed a finger over his lips to quiet me, I shut up immediately. His eyes were dark with fury, and I wasn’t embarrassed to admit I was a bit terrified. With theimposing frame and large, muscular build that was known of all Keldarans, he could easily overpower me.
I made myself comfortable on his bed and waited. It didn’t seem like he planned to ravage me, but I couldn’t relax. I had to be alert in case he changed his mind.
Roughly a half hour went by before someone outside called into the tent. “Commander, I have a report!”
“Enter,” Mykal answered. A soldier walked in with a rolled parchment in hand. “What do you have, General?”
With a sharp salute, the general unrolled the parchment and placed it on Mykal’s desk. “We have movement in the east, with Valoria’s army camped just north of us. They’ve sent spies, of course, but we’ve caught each and every one of them.”
Mykal nodded and I stretched to see what they were looking at on the map. I could tell it was marked in different locations, but I wasn’t close enough to see what the areas were.
“Send word that we’ll attack the Valorian camp tonight,” Mykal instructed as he gazed at the map.
The general nodded. “Do you think the Crimson Clan will show?”
Mykal nodded. “Yes. Ronan is reckless in that manner and will want to reap the spoils. Once he sees we’re not there, he’ll have no other option than to attack.”
“Thenyou’llreap the spoils,” I finished for him.
Both men looked my way. Mykal smirked, but the general glared. “Mind your business, little girl!” the man snapped.
I rolled my eyes. “I can’t help it if you’re discussing your plans so loud I can hear,” I scoffed. “Also, you’re wrong. Ronan won’t be that stupid.”
Mykal leaned back in his chair and rubbed his jaw, watching me with a calculating gleam.
I continued, “Ronan can be reckless at times, but he cares about his men. He won’t send them to their deaths.”
“Is that so?” Mykal mused.
“You won’t benefit from it,” I said with a shrug. “But go on, follow your plan and see how well it goes.” I leaned back and reclined on his bed as if unbothered by the men staring at me.
“Don’t listen to that Crimson whore, Commander. She doesn’t know anything except how to spread her legs to any savage who comes her way!” the general spat.
I snorted. “For your information, I’m the town healer, not some prostitute like you’re probably used to.”
“You!” The general started to charge toward me, but Mykal stopped him with a raised hand.
“She’s off limits.”
“But Commander—”
