Page 11 of Lucie
Chapter Six
Goodbyes
Lucien hurried to the stables to attach his satchel to his saddle before heading for the dining hall. Already those soldiers who were not going to accompany the battle lord and lady on their trip were getting the others’ horses ready. Along the way he spotted the wagons in the main courtyard that were being loaded for the long trip—one bearing rationsand the other their heavy armor and additional battle gear.
The dining hall was crowded when he entered through the side door. He went straight to the table where his parents were seated, and took a spot at the end of the bench. A servant quickly brought him a platter of food. Although he was too wound up to eat, he went ahead and made himself devour as much as he could, knowingit could be hours before he’d have the chance to eat again.
As he ate, FortuneKalichcame over to speak to his parents. The man sat down heavily at the end of the bench and propped his cane against the side of the table. “Damn, I wish I could go with you.”
“So do we, old friend,”Yulentold him.
Attyreached across the table to clasp the man’s wrist. “We’re countingon you. Mattox andMistellewill need your guidance, in the event something should happen while we’re away.”
“I’m still as good as I ever was with my knives. If it weren’t for this leg and hip…” TheMutahhunter gave a feeble laugh.
“We’ll miss having you along for the trip,”Yulencontinued. “It won’t be the same without you.”
“I’ll be honest. Tory’srelieved I’m not accompanying you,” Fortune admitted. “And I have to admit, as much as I want to go, I’m afraid I might become more of a hindrance, and might even endanger you in the long run.”
Attygave his wrist another squeeze, and nothing more was said as they continued to eat.
A few yards away, Iain and LiamMaGrathstood near the fireplace, away from the others.The elderly physician was explaining something to his son, who nodded his head every so often. With Dr. Fergus out of commission, and Dr.MaGrathphysically unable to withstand the journey, the responsibility had fallen on Iain’s shoulders to be their physician during this trip. Lucien realized that, like him, this would also be Iain’s first lengthy foray away from the fortress.
As the two men continued to talk, Madigan emerged from the inner rooms. The woman went over to her younger son and enfolded him in a warm embrace. At the same time, a hand rested on his shoulder.
“Are you prepared for this, little brother?” Mattox perched a boot next to him on the bench.
Lucien glanced up to see the man’s stern expression, but the soft pink color ofthe man’s eyes was a dead giveaway. As he’d suspected, the sternness was a front to cover his brother’s real emotions. In this case, his concern and worry.
“Yeah, as much as I can be.”
“Mind if I give you a little advice?”
“Go ahead.” For a second he wondered if his older brother was going to chide him about something, which was why he wasn’t expectingwhat came next.
“You know Mom and Dad are going to be watching you like feral cats protecting their young. Not so much because they love you, but because they don’t know how you’re going to react when the things start to go sideways. And it will, Luc, when you least expect it. When it does, the last thing you should do is look to them for orders. Don’t wait to be told what to do.Just go with your gut.”
To his surprise, Mattox pulled his dagger from his waist belt and held it out to him. “I want you to take this with you.” Lucien opened his mouth to protest, but Mattox was firm. “Take it, Luc. Keep it on you at all times. If something should happen to you, or Mom, or Dad, I want to be told they found you clutching it for protection. I want to be told it wasstained with blood because you fought to your last breath. Hey…” Mattox flashed him a rare smile. “Maybe it’ll bring you luck. Maybe you’ll find your special ability because of it. Besides, I’m not giving it to you. I’m loaning it. And that means I expect you to hand it back to me the moment you come back through those gates.”
Lucien accepted the dagger with its carved bone handle.Attyhad given it to her son on his fifth birthday, and the following month he’d slain his first enemy with it. Mattox never went anywhere without it. He even kept it under his pillow when he slept at night. For his brother to give it to him—no, loan it to him—said more than words ever could.
Mattox stepped back and quickly removed his weapons belt. Sliding the dagger’s sheath fromit, he handed it to Lucien, who slipped the weapon back inside it.
Mattox gave his shoulder another squeeze. “You better come back and return my dagger, you hear me?” It was not a threat.
“Yeah, I hear you.”
Without saying another word, Mattox walked over to whereAttyandYulenwere sitting and gave them both a hug. He then turned and strode quickly outof the room.
Lucien glanced around but didn’t seeMistelle. Either she’d already eaten and said her goodbyes, or she would show up as they prepared to leave. But if she’d already bade everyone goodbye,was last night’s little talk meant to be her way of sending me off?He seriously doubted it.
He forced himself to eat a little more before giving up. Getting to hisfeet, he grabbed several breakfast rolls, wrapped them in a napkin, and stuffed them down the front of his shirt. Rather than wait around, he decided to go back outside and wait for his parents to join the battalion.
“Lucien.”
He turned around to see his grandmother standing there, her face wet with tears. Holding out his arms, she walked into his embrace and gave hima hard hug.
“You be careful,” Madigan whispered. “You take care of yourself, and domea favor? Watch out for Iain?”
