Page 27 of Immortal Sentry

The man’s sneer was a thing of beauty. “I am His Grace Crau Neueld, Duke of Fairweather and former commander of the king’s guard, though I still assume the role when called upon to do so by King Bain.”

“You must not have been a very good commander if you lost the position.”

“I didn’t lose the position,” Crau snapped. Oh, how easily he riled. “I was given the honor of a dukedom.”

“There was already a duke at Fairweather. I doubt he surrendered his home willingly.”

“Many loyal to that fool Lothan received their just rewards.”

Darkness hid Eron’s flinch. He kept his voice even though he seethed inside. “There’s an Estian bird that will wait for hours for something in its death throes to die. Then, the bird swoops down and picks the carcass clean. You bring that bird to mind.”

Crau thrust his hand through the bars, but Eron stepped back from his grasping fingers. “I have plans for you, my thief. After a few days of the king’s hospitality, you’ll be desperate to do anything I say.” He whirled in dramatic fashion, making the lantern light flicker. His boot heels led away from Eron’s cell.

Well, that was… certainly something. What, Eron couldn’t say at the moment. His very existence seemed to annoy Crau, and yet the arrogant peacock of a man didn’t appear inclined to commit murder outright.

Interesting, useful, and possibly a huge mistake.

A soft glow shone outside the bars a short time later. Eron wouldn’t call out. The glow grew closer—a shuttered lamp. Whoever approached kept their footsteps quiet, a lesson Kene had taught Eron from an early age.

“Shh…” someone said from the direction of the light. “The guard would be highly disappointed to discover I slipped by him, as would his commander. As much as their annoyance would please me, now is not the time.”

“Who are you?”

“A… friend. Are you hungry? Thirsty?” The man unshuttered the lamp partway and handed Eron a cup. “Drink.”

Should Eron trust him? Well, what choice did he have? The guards certainly didn’t seem to have left him with sustenance. He gratefully drained the cup and handed it back to his benefactor.

The man with the lamp chuckled while untying a sack from his waist and handing it to Eron. “Here, this is all I could find for food. Were we at an inn, I’d complain most loudly to the cook.”

The sack containing bread and cheese might well have been a feast—a brief one, given how fast Eron ate.

“I’ll get you more, but it wouldn’t do for the guards to see you well-fed and watered. They cannot know I’m here.”

That rich tenor poured over Eron’s senses. He’d heard many cultured voices and many crass ones, but none so distinct as what currently emerged from the shadows. “You never answered my question. Who are you?”

The man didn’t answer immediately, but finally said, “A man who brings you food and drink. Who might you be?”

Eron debated the answer. He couldn’t reveal his given name, and Edry might connect him to Lady Kennestone. Still, Edry was a common enough name. “You may call me Edry.”

The man tested the name. “Edry. But that’s actually not your name.”

“It’s what I’ve been called since I was a lad.” True enough.

The man chucked. “All right, Edry. You can call me Cap.”

“Cap? What kind of name is Cap?”

The man placed the lantern on the floor and leaned one shoulder against the bars, arms folded across his chest. His face remained in shadow, though the muscles in his arms bunched nicely. “One I’ve been called since I was a bit older than a lad. Do you know why you were brought here?”

How much should Eron tell this stranger? It would be easy to win a man’s trust with a clandestine visit, food, and water if this visit was meant to gain knowledge. “I do not know.” Again, Eron offered a bit of truth. Sooner or later, he’d have to lie outright, without a doubt.

“Is it because you rob the king’s visitors or perhaps something more?”

So much for Eron keeping secrets, “I have been accused of such, yes. However, when they accosted me, I had nothing on me but a medallion given to me by a… friend. One of the bastards took it.”

“They brought you in alive, which they’ve never done for a highwayman before,” Cap mused, as though simply making idle conversation.

“And you would know?”

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