Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Dravic was impressed by the young guard’s quick thinking.
“Your name?” he asked.
“Percy, my king,” he said with a brief dip of his head.
“See it done, Percy,” Dravic ordered.
“Aye, my king, I will send them here to you.”
“I will not wait long,” Dravic warned. “Have them follow our tracks if we are not here.”
Percy looked about to disagree, but quickly held his tongue, bobbed his head, and hurried off.
Adira continued to watch. Plans were being made, though she could see from the guards’ expressions that they were not in agreement with their king. But no one dared disobey the king.
She smiled when servants placed platters of food on the table and Skellie filled tankards with hot cider—apple by the scent of it.
“Skellie,” Dravic said.
Skellie stood straighter before the king.
“My companion needs a wool cloak that will keep the cold at bay.”
“Aye, my king. We have a talented weaver here. She will have what you need. I will see it brought to you.”
“You will be well compensated for it.”
“Not necessary, my king. I am only too pleased to provide what you need.”
“Nonsense,” Dravic snapped. “You work, you earn, no matter who it is.”
Adira watched Skellie stare at the king a moment before bobbing his head and walking away. He had been surprised at something the king said, but there had also been admiration in his eyes. Whatever the king had said, it had gained even more of Skellie’s respect for the king.
A quiet peace settled over the room as everyone focused on food and drink.
Adira enjoyed the porridge and fresh bread while she saw that the king favored the smoked ham and quail eggs. The guard ate as well, the king having insisted on it, after watching the exchange between the two.
It made her wonder how long they would be traveling if the king had insisted his guard eat before they left.
After most of the food was eaten and the tankards emptied, Dravic stood and everyone in the room rose.
“We leave now,” Dravic said, turning to Cadby.
Cadby nodded and went to the door.
Skellie hurried over to the king and handed him a deep green wool cloak.
“The finest the weaver had, my king.”
Dravic gave a quick nod, took the cloak from him, and slipped it around Adira’s shoulders. Before he took hold of her hand to lead her to the door, he dropped several coins on the table.
Skellie’s eyes widened. “Thank you, my king, and may your journey be a safe one.”
Others in the inn followed suit, wishing the king well.
Their horses waited, clouds of white breath rising from their nostrils.
Hollis stood beside his mount, his hands restless on the reins. Whatever courage had prompted him to speak of Ernach seemed to have abandoned him now that he was expected to lead the king into Driochmor.
The winter wind bit Adira’s face, though she was glad the heavy wool cloak the king had surprised her with keep the cold at bay.
Once they reached his stallion, Dravic’s hands gripped her waist more firmly than usual and lifted her with practiced ease onto his horse. Then he swung up behind her, settled her across the saddle and comfortably against him, then wrapped his cloak around them both, keeping her in a cocoon of warmth.
For a while, Adira simply rested there.
The steady rhythm of the horse beneath them, the warmth surrounding her, and the quiet strength of the king resting against her brought a peace she had not expected. His arm remained secure around her as he guided the stallion through the snow-covered landscape, his body shielding hers from the sharp winter wind.
She watched the world pass around them.
Snow-laden trees stretched endlessly along the path, their branches heavy beneath their white covering. The farther they traveled, the fewer signs of people they encountered. No homes. No smoke rising from chimneys. No voices of villagers going about their day.
Only the forest.
Adira had missed it more than she realized. She had spent so much time within the castle walls since coming to Caerith that she had almost forgotten what it felt like to be surrounded by trees, to see the way sunlight touched the branches, to watch small creatures move unseen among the roots.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the king’s cloak.
Then something changed.
She turned her head. For a moment, she thought she felt the wind differently. Not simply against her face, but around her.
Her eyes narrowed as she watched the trees sway, then she went still.
She heard something. Impossible. She couldn’t have.
There it was again. Faint. But it was there.
Her heart quickened as she heard the cold wind whisper through the trees and the horses’ hooves strike the frozen ground.
The world was suddenly filled with sounds she had only ever imagined.
She closed her eyes. Nay. It could not be.
She opened them again and looked at the king. He was speaking. She could see his lips moving, his voice carrying no meaning to her as it always had. Yet she heard something.