Page 21 of Lucie
Chapter Eleven
Preparation
Lucien was pulling on his boots when his mother entered the room. The first thing he noticed was the pile of soft armor she carried in her arms. She dumped the load onto the bed.
“I had the armorer work on it last night. He cleaned off the blood and did what he could to stitch up the rips in it.”
Lucien lifted theovershirtto examine it. Apparently the armorer had added overlays to the shoulders and sleeves, as well as across the back and neck area, to protect the repairs he’d made. Some extra padding had also been added.
“How are you feeling?”
He looked up at her as he proceeded to pull the shirt over his head. It got stuck on the bandage at the back of his head, butAttywasable to help him get the shirt past it.
“Fine. I feel fine.”
“No dizziness? No fever?”
“So far, no.”
She held out a handful of chain mail. “This is to protect your neck. Turn around and I’ll fasten it for you.”
He eyed the hook and eye closure. He didn’t need to ask why there was what appeared to be a lockable attachment solderedto it. Instead, he silently obeyed as she lifted the shirt’s collar to attach the contrivance around his throat.
She glanced around the room as he sheathed his sword and dagger, and stood up. “I take it you haven’t had breakfast.”
“No. Iain and I are heading over there now.”
Attysmiled. “I saw him checking his bag when I came in, and told him to go ahead.That I’d walk with you over there.”
Lucien grimaced, but offered her his arm. Until they were certain he suffered no ill effects from the bat, he would have someone constantly by his side.
They didn’t hurry on their way over to the dining hall. Instead, it felt more like a casual stroll through the compound. “Thank you,” he finally said as the large building came intoview.
His mother didn’t ask why the thanks, giving his arm a squeeze instead. “I think your father already decided to take you with us before I had the chance to argue my case.”
“What makes you say that?” he queried, making it clear he didn’t quite believe her.
Attysighed. “Because he didn’t try to talk me out of it. It was probably the easiest argumentI’ve ever won.” He glanced over to find her grinning at him. Chuckling, he escorted her into the dining hall.
A feeling of déjà vu swept over him. Although the main room at NewBearingerdidn’t resemble the one at AltaNovis, it felt the same, and sounded the same, and smelled the same. Many of the soldiers sitting at the tables were faces he recognized. Everything was both familiarand reassuring…except for one thing.
Something was different.
He couldn’t explain it or put it into words. Nor could he pinpoint what exactly was causing him distress. All he knew, and knew without any doubt, was that something had changed.
He glanced down at his hands, clenching them into fists, then spreading his fingers. A shiver of fear went throughhim. Was it possible he was getting this feeling because of what he’d suffered from the rabid bat?
A hand grabbed his wrist. “Are you okay?”Attystared deep into his eyes, her own fear evident.
He managed a weak smile. “Yeah. Just tired. But I’ll make it. Promise.”
He couldn’t tell her. He couldn’t say anything to anyone. Not now.Later,he promisedhimself.I’ll confide in Iain once we’re back on the road.
He andAttyjoined the table where his father andSyVolcheckwere hunched over a map, along withPechardand his two guards. Taking a seat at the far end of the table, a platter was set in front of him, and he began eating as he listened to their conversation.
“We’ll turn due west once we reachWhiterock. Fromthere, how far is it to Green River?”Yulenquestioned the emissary.
“Normally, a little more than three days. Schutz Ridge is a day’s ride fromWhiterock, and Tarkington is another day’s journey. Green River is a day’s ride from there.”
