Since he won’t be there, Cyhan thought to himself. “She’s no pushover. I trained her well, but she is still young and inexperienced. She has spirit but without the bond she is no match for you.”
“The reports say she is pregnant,” Ruth added.
“Probably,” he answered. “I never saw her after the battle and they didn’t see fit to keep me updated while I was locked up.”
“That might complicate things,” she commented, staring at him.
“How so?” Cyhan asked.
“Women fight harder when their offspring are endangered,” she replied. “I’m surprised you would forget that. Why do you think Elena broke her bond?”
“Have you ever given any thought to having your own children?” Cyhan asked suddenly. Even he wasn’t sure where the question had come from.
Ruth’s eyes widened in the darkness, “Is that your way of proposing to me?”
He tightened his jaw, “If it were… what would your answer be?”
She relaxed. “I don’t know. Perhaps if you were younger it would be easier to answer that question,” she said teasingly.
His hand tensed painfully on her arm for a moment before he relaxed his grip and looked away. “You need a new job,” he said finally.
Ruth laughed and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, draping herself almost casually over him. It was a gesture both sensual and warm in equal measure. “Are you worried about me or the countess?”
He gritted his teeth. “Both,” he said at last. “They’re good people.”
“All they have to do is keep his majesty happy and no one will need to shed any tears,” she replied. “Are you having doubts about your oath?”
“I’m tired of blood. Maybe we should retire,” he replied, avoiding the question.
Her face was behind his line of sight so he never saw the expression of pain that crossed her face. When she spoke her voice was playful, “People like us don’t retire zaihar, and we die the same way we have lived.”
“Stop calling me that, I’m not your teacher anymore.”
“My! Aren’t you testy this evening? I’m starting to think you’re worried about me,” she said.
“If by some chance you encounter Mordecai during your mission… don’t fight him,” he answered, ignoring her remarks.
“You have so little faith in me now?” she said.
Cyhan frowned. “He’s too dangerous, especially if he thinks his family is in danger, and if anyone is going to slip a blade between his ribs it should be me. I owe him at least that much.”
Ruth kissed him along his jaw and ear. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so melancholy, or so poetic. They really got to you didn’t they?”
He shook his head slightly, “No, I’ve just been re-thinking some things lately.”
“Don’t think so hard,” she answered, running her hands lightly down his stomach. “I take that back…,” she said throatily in his ear. “Think as hard as you like.”
“Shouldn’t you be resting before tomorrow,” Cyhan replied.
Ruth laughed, “I can rest when I’m dead.” Holding him she traced her hand across his chest till it found the iron pendant resting there. The enchanted pendant Mordecai had made for him to protect his mind. “What’s this?” she asked.
“Something you need,” he replied, reaching up to untie the thong around his neck. “It prevents magic or other influences from affecting your mind. If you had been wearing it the other day you wouldn’t have taken your sudden nap.” Turning he put it on her.
“Where did you get such a thing?”
“Mordecai made it for me,” he said with a chuckle. “I think you’ll be far more likely to need it in the coming days than I will.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “He gave this to the man who tried to kill him?”
Cyhan shook his head. “He made one for everyone in his town, to protect them from the shiggreth. He gave it to me before breaking his bond, before I tried to kill him.”
“And he let you keep it?”
“You would have to know him for a while to understand,” he replied, his eyes were staring into the distance now.
“He must be a fool,” she said.
Cyhan’s attention returned from the recesses of his mind and he began kissing her once more, easing her gently back onto the pillows. “Maybe,” he murmured softly to himself. “I’m not so sure anymore.”
Chapter 13
The days passed quickly, probably because I worked myself harder than ever. I wanted to make sure the second set of armor was finished before I left for the capital. The recent scare and the ensuing paranoia had made me more aware than ever that I needed help. I couldn’t be everywhere, nor could I protect everyone.
A knock at the door to the smithy drew my attention away. “Come in Lisette,” I called. I had already recognized the castle maid though she hadn’t spoken or opened the door yet.
She poked her head through the door, “Pardon me your lordship, but Sir Dorian asked me to tell you that it’s time for your planning session.” For some reason my eye lit upon a bright ribbon she had tied her hair up with. On rare occasions I can be highly perceptive. Penny might say those occasions usually involve pretty women, but that was only true some of the time… like today.
“Is that a new ribbon Lisette?” I observed as I followed her out of the smithy.
She blushed, “Yes your lordship, though I thought such things would be beneath your notice.”
“You must have an admirer,” I guessed. “One of the lads in the village?” as I said ‘lads’ I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. I sounded like an old man, though I had yet to pass my twentieth birthday.
Her color deepened, “No your lordship, one of the armsmen.” Her embarrassment had caused her to lower her head even more deeply. I could no longer see her eyes.
“No need to be embarrassed, it’s only natural. Do you fancy him?” I felt bad as soon as I asked. I had pressed her beyond the ability to speak, she nodded mutely instead.
I tried to put her at ease. “I’m sorry Lisette. I shouldn’t have pried into your affairs. If he mistreats you though, let me know. I’ll have no discourtesy among my men.”
For some reason that remark roused her from her flustered embarrassment. “Oh no your lordship! Harold would never mistreat me. He’s a true gentleman, by nature at least… if not by birth.” Finishing her sentence she realized she had said more than she intended and lapsed again into silence.
The name surprised me. “Harold Simmons?”
She nodded a ‘yes’.
“From what I’ve heard he’s a good fellow,” I said. We had reached the stairs by then and our paths were separating. I couldn’t help but feel I had bungled the conversation somehow as she curtseyed and escaped down the hall. I still wasn’t used to people being afraid of me.
A minute later I stepped into the planning room. Unlike a few months prior it now held its own table and chairs, so we were no longer forced to use the high table in the great hall. Many of the chairs were in use already, occupied by Dorian, Rose, Penny, and Harold Simmons. Dorian had suggested we include Harold today since he would be important to our plans in the near future. Better to start his education early than late.
“Sorry I’m late, I lost track of time,” I told them.
Penny rolled her eyes at me and I caught a hint of a smirk on Rose’s face, but Dorian spoke first. “Well now that you’re here we can get started.”
I took a seat. “I’m sure you all know why we’re here. The recent incident with the intruder has raised certain issues. Issues that we need to prepare for while I am in the capital.”
“Security,” Penny clarified for me.
“Right,” I agreed. “Dorian you said you had a plan worked out, why don’t you explain?”
Dorian stood up. I don’t think he could have addressed the room and remained seated. It just wasn’t in him. “The first thing we need to discuss is who will be going to the capital and who will remain here…”
“Wouldn’t it be simpler if everyone just came with me?” I asked.