Page 29 of Keeper of the Word
“I know your thoughts,” Hux said, fishing through a pile of parchment on the desk in a manner that led Tolvar to presume he had a notion of what he searched for. “How did Hux have the brilliance to find this place when he’s been out making merry all over Ashwin.” He met Tolvar’s eyes. “In truth, I’ve been familiarizing myself with this dull excuse for a city. At least, dull is what I thought at first. By the way, did you know there is no liquor in Ashwin? Pity.”
“Will you just tell me what in stars’ shadow we are doing in here?”
“Patience, Lord Wolf.” His attention turned back to the parchments. “Ah-ha!” He held what appeared to be a letter. “You know, ’tis surprisingly easy to intercept messages here. You’d think this place would be as safeguarded as the maidenhood of an earl’s daughter.”
Oh stars! Hux had read messages coming into Ashwin? They’d be headless by morning.
Hux handed Tolvar the letter and stepped closer so Tolvar could read in the candlelight. Tolvar read the valediction first. ’Twas from Commander Goodsell. Stars.
He scanned the letter. The beginning, it appeared, was addressed to someone named Nathel, but the end, addressed to Lady Tara, caught Tolvar’s eye. It read:
… You’ve posed an excellent idea, m’lady, as always. Your Sight, as we’ll say, will keep the Five safe. In time, the others will understand and will grow accustomed to guardianship. I do not think there is need to worry that the stars have not yet commanded the Law. Your word is held in the highest regard, and we both know tis for the Five’s safety you do this.
Fear no more. We shall finally be together soon.
With my fervent love, Goodsell
Tolvar’s first impression was about Goodsell’s farewell.Fervent love?’Twas well known that it was strictly impermissible for StarSeers to take romantic companionship. If he remembered correctly, ’twas one theory why the Lucien Law had been disbanded centuries ago. Too easy to find fondness, and with that, too easy to find laxity.
Tolvar read over the letter again. Did Goodsell’s words mean what he thought they did?
As if reading his thoughts, Hux spoke, “’Twould seem the StarSeers do not always follow the stars.” His smile was enormous.
“Why is this letter here and not in Lady Tara’s possession?”
Hux shrugged. “But are you not gladdened it is? ’twas impossible for me to get into the private quarters of the ladies of this household. Why would no one trust this honest face?”
Tolvar muttered profanities under his breath.
And if the stars had not commanded the Lucien Law, was LadyTara to be trusted that she had not Seen anything regarding the dooms that Elanna Saw?
Hux snickered and slapped a hand on his thigh.
“What?”
“I know that look. Mayhap we shall have some excitement, after all?”
“This shall be anything but exciting. Even without the Lucien Law, removing Elanna from Ashwin has consequences.”
“Removing? Marvelous! This is better than I expected. Mayhap I can rebuild a reputation in the Capella Realm. What we need is a new title for our band, mayhap?”
“What weneedis a plan. Let us find Joss and the others.”
Chapter
Thirteen
ELANNA
“’Tis important,” Elanna heard Joss tell the guard at her door. ’Twas well past the midnight hour. “I know the ordinance. I may request a five-minute audience with a StarSeer between the sunset and sunrise. ’Tis the middle of the night. You cannot deny me passage without speaking to her first.”
Elanna, clad in her dressing gown, strode to the double doors of her chambers.
“Dame Joss, how may I help?”
“I come to request the Audience of Psocorroh, m’lady.” Joss’s bow was comically low, but StarSeers weren’t prone to smirking.
“Of course. Pray, come in.” Elanna shut the door on the guard. “What do you seek? You know that I cannot help in all matters, and even if I do See it, I am not permitted to tell you the day you fall in love or the day you die.
