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)
The old man nodded and smiled. “I always enjoy visiting, Vachel.”
Dravic took note of the familiarity that passed between them. Hollis was no stranger here. He seemed almost to belong here.
“You have brought a friend?” Vachel asked.
One could barely detect that Hollis shook his head, but Adira did and she gripped Dravic’s arm at her waist.
Dravic felt the slight tightening of her grip and understood that something had disturbed her. He immediately became even more alert than he already was.
Hollis took a breath and announced, “I have brought the King of Scotara. He wishes to speak with Ernach.”
Surprisingly, not a shocking gasp was heard, nor whispers sounded. The crowd went utterly silent.
“I am sure Ernach will speak with you,” Vachel said.
Dravic’s brow narrowed. “Ernach will speak with me because I command it.”
Vachel held his gaze. “He will speak with you because he chooses to.”
A slight tightening formed at the corner of Dravic’s mouth. “I am king and rule all of Scotara, its people and the land.”
A strong voice rose from the gathered crowd. “No one rules the land.”
The villagers turned.
Dravic did as well.
The crowd shifted aside as an old man approached.
He walked slowly, yet there was strength in every step. His shoulders were slightly bent by age, but his eyes remained sharp as he made his way through the gathered crowd.
He stopped near Dravic’s horse and looked up at him. “The land rules us.”
The words settled over the village.
Dravic stared down at him.
The old man held his gaze without fear. “A king who rules with no heart is no king.”
For a moment, the world around Dravic faded away.
He was no longer standing in Driochmor. He was once again a young prince standing in his grandfather’s hall, hearing those very words spoken to King Halric.
He remembered the anger that followed, the accusation of betrayal, and the following day an order issued by the king for Ernach be hunted down and killed.
Dravic looked at the old man before him. The years had taken their toll, but the voice, the words…
“Ernach,” Dravic said.
“Aye, it is I, and has the king come to finish what his grandfather started and take my life?”
Chapter Fifteen
Driochmor Village
Danger Unseen
“We will talk. Now!” Dravic commanded.
Adira felt the force of his demand in the muscles that grew taut in his arm around her waist and the way his chest expanded. He intended to have his way. Whatever that may be.
“As you wish, my king,” Ernach said with a slight bob of his head.
Dravic ignored the whispering chatter going on around him, though he did not ignore the fact that Ernach referred to him as my king. If he had betrayed the crown, why would he remain respectful to it?
He spread his cloak open, off Adira, to fall only on his shoulders, then he pointed to the ground to let her know he was going to dismount.
She nodded, her hand quickly leaving his arm where it rested, knowing she was not permitted to touch him in public.
After he dismounted, Dravic reached for Adira. His hands settled around her waist and lifted her gently from the saddle. Once her feet touched the snow-covered ground, he took her hand and held it firmly in his own.
There was a time she was frightened when he would take her hand and now, she looked forward to it, forward to feeling that connection, to not feeling alone.
She looked up at him and saw tension in his face. As king, she had come to learn he carried many burdens, but this tension she saw and felt in him was heavier than she had ever felt in him. And she wondered and worried over it.
Dravic looked to Ernach. “Do not keep me waiting.”
Ernach studied the king for a moment before turning toward the path that wound its way through the village.
Dravic walked beside him, Adira at his side, his hand never leaving hers.
The sight did not go unnoticed. The villagers watched and murmurs spread quickly. They knew he was king. But they did not know who the woman was who walked beside him. The woman whose hand he held.
The guards followed behind them, while Hollis remained with Vachel, talking.
Ernach’s cottage stood apart from the village, a simple dwelling surrounded by trees and untouched snow.
Dravic’s first thought was that a man hunted as a traitor to the crown should not have such a peaceful home, especially here in the forbidden land. But then he was beginning to think that truths he had been told may not have been truths after all.
Ernach opened the door and motioned for them to enter.
Two of his guards entered first, looked around, and seeing it safe, let Dravic know it was safe to enter.
Warmth from the hearth greeted them as they settled inside.
The cottage was simple but comfortable. A small table stood near the fire, a few chairs arranged around it, and shelves lined with carefully preserved books and scrolls. It was more of a home to a scholar than a traitor.