Page 44 of A Brat's Tale
“He does, but it doesn’t absolve my actions or my responsibility. Originally, I wasn’t going to tell my brother, but I want you to know I went to him and told him everything. He was furious, and I was punished. We did keep the matter within the family. I’m lucky he didn’t see fit to banish me. But since, I’ve done much repenting and growing up. I won’t make the same mistakes again.”
I don’t see things the same way he does. Love is love. I don’t think he should have been punished for caring for someone, I think they should put their centuries-old argument to rest. “I’m still not upset about it, but if you need me to say it, I forgive you.”
This does not bode well for the Bayaden thing though.
“I appreciate that Tristan and I shall endeavor to make it up to you.” He changes the subject. “You don’t happen to remember where you came from in the veil do you?”
“I …” Huh, no. It’s just gone. “I’m sorry Cor, but no.”
“We were told you wouldn’t, but you never know. Magic is a tricky thing; it tends to have a life of its own at times.”
I know the truth of that. I remember the loyalty spell that shiftedand changed into what it is now. “I’m surprised you were able to stay on the outside of the veil, waiting patiently.”
“There was nothing patient about the way I waited. Ask Diekin. There was a negotiation, and we weren’t to come in. We were given coordinates and told the deal would be off if we set a toe inside. By that point we were desperate enough to wait where we were told. Aldrien is gone, it’s just gone. We never did find it.”
“Gone? That’s impossible. I assure you it’s very there.”
“We know, it drove Diekin nuts too, but it’s not there, at least, it’s not where it was. We collected you several miles northeast of Aldrien’s former location. What was once Aldrien, is now flat, empty fields.”
“I’m sorry, Corrik. I never even knew to ask. For me, it was there.”
“It’s fine. You’re back now. I have to say, I’m not far off from Alrik’s level of concern. I’m likely more so I just have a soft spot for you, that Alrik doesn’t have for anyone. I should be more careful with you.”
I laugh. “When it comes to me, careful is your middle name. I wouldn’t worry.”
He doesn’t laugh with me.
The food arrives, I eat and then we sleep, Corrik on one side, me on the other.
Chapter 10
INTERLUDE
We’re laughing, hard and we’re trying to stop, but we can’t. We can only manage brief pauses, but we’ll look at each other, just a look, and lose it again. “I can’t—I can’t b-breathe, Bayaden stop it.”
“You stop it. You’re the one making me laugh.”
“Me? You keep looking at me, stop looking.”
“No, you keep looking at me.”
The fields of Aldrienian wildflowers stretch out before us as we lie in the middle of them, not a soul in sight. The grass is tall and because it’s eternal summer here, it’s hot and lovely. The blue sky is dusted with fluffy clouds and bees zip by to tickle my nose.
Finally, we can look at each other without laughing. “Baya? What do you like best about me?”
“Best? That assumes I like anything about you at all. You’re human, what’s to like about a human?”
I whack him on the shoulder. “Arse! Fine. I don’t like you either.”
He laughs, but it’s not uncontrollable like earlier; it’s “you’re adorable when you’re mad” and “clearly that’s not true”. I know this, and I still pout. He schools his features to something more serious. “All right, it’s a secret but the Warlord fancies a human. Can you believe that? A human.”
The soft glow of gold from the tattoo over his right eye makes his face brighter and more mischievous. I play along. “Oh? How scandalous.”
He stares. “It is. Poor bugger was blindsided,” he learned that saying from me, “and it can’t be said that it’s his fault. The human is quite enchanting.”
“How so?”
His fingers dance up my bare torso. “Well, there are a great many reasons. Like how he moves on the field with a weapon in his hand and his quick wit. It is even said that the great Warlord enjoys his sharp tongue.”
