"'Tis true," Sir Gavin said. "I found him once, and I'll not lose him again, wherever he may hide himself."
The crowd chuckled and Sir Gavin reached down with his calloused hand. Achan clasped his wrist and allowed the old knight to hoist him to his feet.
Sir Gavin clapped a hand on Achan's shoulder. "Here stands King Axel Hadar's only son. Here stands your future king. For in less than a year's time, this young man will sit on the throne in Armonguard and bring an end to the Darkness."
The people burst into cheering.
Less than a year? Achan tensed, yet couldn't fight his own smile, so contagious was the joy on the faces around him.
"A feast for our two kings!" Trajen yelled. "For this earthly king and our king who reigns in Shamayim!"
"Hear, hear!" a man said and the people cheered again.
Everyone moved at once. Those who'd been sitting on the table jumped down and put it back where it belonged. Ressa set one of the covered bowls on the table, and other women joined in to help. Sir Gavin guided Achan to the entrance. People clustered around, blocking his view of the food.
A portly man with a wisp of black hair took Achan's hand in both of his. "A pleasure and honor, Your Majesty."
"Thank you," Achan said.
Another man, stocky with a scarred face, pushed forward. "Say the word and I'll fight with you, my prince."
"We'd be honored to have your sword." Sir Gavin clasped the man's shoulder. "Trajen will keep you posted as to where our army will assemble. Likely Carmine."
Achan's stomach roiled again. They were truly going to build an army and fight against Esek? Good men like this, family men, might die for him? Before he could dwell on the matter, three more men pledged their swords for Achan's sake.
A pretty young red-haired girl curtsied before him. "My heart fills with hope to see your face, Your Highness. I can see you're brave and strong. With you leading our men I know we shall not be in Darkness much longer."
Achan felt taller at her words. He bowed, took her hand, and kissed it. "Thank you, my lady. Your words inspire me to crush any enemy who would stand in my way."
The young woman's face flushed. She tugged her hand free and stumbled back, her eyes locked with Achan's until she sank into the crowd.
Easy, Achan, Sir Caleb said. This is not a noblewoman who requires such courtesy.
Heat crept up Achan's neck. Well, why should that matter? You told me I had to act with dignity and respect in formal gatherings.
Aye, but you must consider your subjects' social class or you'll start a scandal with every young maid you meet. These women are not used to such flattery and may take your words as more than they were.
Achan met Sir Caleb's critical gaze. But I meant what I said.
The corners of Sir Caleb's mouth twitched, like he was fighting a smile. I see I must teach you about women next.
I know about women, thank you very much.
Sir Caleb laughed out loud. Achan scowled. The knight looked quite mad laughing alone on the other side of the room.
Trajen spoke in a loud voice, and Achan found the man standing at the head of the table now packed with steaming bowls of food. "We are one in heart and mind. We claim no possessions as our own, but share all we have. Darkness may surround us, but in our hearts, the Light is blinding. As we continue to testify to the love of Caan, truly there are none needy among us. For Arman provides our every need." Trajen met Achan's eyes and held out an arm, beckoning him forward. "Come, Your Highness, sit at our humble table and be filled."
Achan somehow managed to cross the room and sit on the stool at the head of the table. Thankfully, Trajen didn't ask him to offer thanks the food, but said the words himself.
"Arman, we thank you for your many blessings, for this food, fellowship, and the hope that dines with us this day. Let us break bread with glad and sincere hearts, praising you in all things. So may your will be, forever."
A chorus of "So be it" and "May it be so" erupted. The rest of Achan's party was ushered to the table. Sir Caleb sat to Achan's left, Sir Gavin to his right. Sparrow sat beside Inko on the other end.
Bowls of steaming flatbread filled the table along with seasoned brown rice, cuts of chicken, diced tomatoes, wedges of apples and peaches, peas, steamed carrots, shredded lamb, and stacks of toasted trenchers. The aroma watered his tongue, but no one touched the food. Every face watched him.
Ressa swept forward. She set a trencher in front of him, then arranged several pieces of flatbread on it, scooped rice, chicken, and tomatoes onto the flatbread, and rolled it up. She raised her eyebrows and smiled with a nod of her head. "Go ahead and eat, Your Majesty."
Achan lifted the rolled-up meal to his mouth and bit down on the rich and spicy mixture. He chewed, unhinged that everyone still stared. He smiled with his lips closed to hold in the food and said, "Mmm."
The crowd burst into cheers and applause. Achan kept himself busy chewing, eyes downcast. His approval of the meal seemed to be all everyone had been waiting for. People began filling their trenchers. Achan, happy to have the attention off him, glanced at Sparrow and found that the boy was the only person still staring. What?
You did well. That must have been terrifying.
Achan smiled. You think I'm going to have to do that every time we eat with strangers?
Yes. I am afraid this will soon be how you eat for the rest of your life.
Achan lowered his gaze to his plate. The first tradition to go if I ever sit on any throne. There's no reason I should eat first, especially with everyone watching.
It is meant to honor you.
I don't need to be honored. Though it was nice for Ressa to rescue me. If she hadn't I might still be staring at the food.
You only like her because she looks like…
Achan stared at Sparrow, who'd looked away. Looks like who? Ressa resembled Gren in so many ways, but how could Sparrow know that? Achan had told no one.
Not looks. She cooks like I suspect the king's chef might.
I don't see you pushing the food away. Achan tucked his last bite of flatbread roll into his mouth and reached for another. You're right, though. Vile, evil woman! How dare she feed us so well?
Then why not ask her to join our group? She can be your personal chef.
Achan scooped rice and lamb onto his second flatbread. Why don't you eat, or better yet, talk to Inko. He hasn't had the pleasure of your chiding conversation as much as I have. Go on then, share your wit with him a while.
You spoke to me, not the other way-
Achan blocked Sparrow out, rolled up his flatbread, and bit into it. He caught the boy's slight frown and grinned. Having stronger bloodvoicing skill than Sparrow was fun.
Vrell reclined on the pillows in the front room, holding Romal loosely so his feet touched the floor but he could bounce freely and not fall. The baby boy stared at her with wide, brown eyes. She made a face, puckering her lips and squinting. Romal giggled and bent his knees, his chubby cheeks dimpling.
What a sweet creature.
Ressa had handed the baby to Vrell so she could groom Achan. The two of them had been gone for a while. They were not alone, of course. Sir Gavin and the men were with Achan, discussing the plans to depart the city in the morning. Vrell felt excluded out in the front room. She had considered carrying Romal back there, but knew the little boy would cry the moment he saw his mother.