Page 57 of Keeper of the Word
Tolvar doubled back and shuffled the two of them to the end of the corridor, away from the prying eyes and ears of the Warins. Hux cocked an eyebrow in irksome curiosity.
Stars’ shadow.
“I am leaving.”
Hux raised an eyebrow. “Oh? That does not seem very knightly to your StarSeer.”
“I shall tell King Rian that I, myself, will gather forces and go to Greenwood. I am entrusting Elanna toyou. And Joss. And Barrett, also.”
Hux snickered. “My thanks for your trust. What of the prince’s wedding?”
“King Rian will see reason. He’ll move it up.” Tolvar nodded and avoided considering if he was doing so to convince himself.
He regarded a few servants at the end of the corridor.
“Also, in the meantime, mayhap you can…” He could not believe he was about to say this. Hux’s piqued interest only made this worse. “Mayhap you can put that skulking talent of yours to good use while you’re here.”
Hux was silent for a moment. A rarity. “Why?”
“The sovereign has eyes and ears everywhere. Elanna does not. Be hers. And mine for when I return. I shall travel quickly with only Gus. Send word to Sir Bernwald, my knight-captains, and Greenwood. I’ll return soon.”
“What of my sword?”
“What?”
“Your sovereign’s guards took it upon my arrival here. If I am to protect Elanna, I need more of a weapon than my cunning tongue.”
“Stars, you’re here within the inner keep, which was difficult enough to get you inside, I might add. You will not need a sword.”
“But you get one.” Hux nodded toward the weapon.
“Siria’s skirt. Very well. I shall ask King Rian if you may carry a sword.” Hux smiled like a child who’d received his Solstice Moon gift early. “And one more thing. Do not let your identity be known. I’ve told King Rian you’re mytrustedman-at-arms.”
“Lord Wolf, on that, you have my word. As I said, I’ve no wish to speak of my past.”
Chapter
Twenty-Two
ELANNA
“Do not leave.” Elanna stood in the courtyard painted with the dawn. “You are the keeper of the word. You swore to stay with me. And I must stay in Asalle until we’ve witnessed Dashiell’s marriage.”
“King Rian is making a declarationtodaythat the wedding will be on the Nay Moon of the Rainless Moon season. I will return by then. I swear.”
“Yousworeto protect me.”
“Stars, woman. There are other matters happening in the realm besides a blasted wedding. We’ve spoken to Dashiell. I’ve spoken to the sovereign. Whatever you’ve Seen is now righted.”
“The future is never finite, Sir Tolvar.” Her anger burned in her. She said aloud the stars’ forewarning. “There are threats unforeSeen to tempt those with wounds. Stray not from the path or accept certain doom.”
“What in stars’ name does that mean?”
“Tell me that you,yourself, must offer reinforcements to the Earl of Greenwood for no other reason than your duty to the realm. Tell me. Why must the Wolf go? Your knight-captains are strong and trustworthy men and women. Why you?”
Tolvar’s glare chilled her. “Because I’m the Wolf, and whatever is transpiring will cease once I am there.”
Elanna snorted. “Pride.To tempt those with wounds.I do not know all your past, Sir Tolvar, but ’tis plain on your face.”
