Page 19 of Crown of Iron
“Come eat,” Leif says, pointing to the small round table in the corner of the room. Two bowls of soup and a loaf of bread sit on top.
I slide into one of the two chairs and shovel the warm vegetables soaking in broth into my mouth. As gratitude spreads through me, my muscles relax, and I focus on the taste of my hot meal. I've never gone without, never had ill-fitting clothes or missed a meal because there was no food. The Statera has blessed me in countless ways, and I’ll never take that for granted again.
My spoon hits the bottom of my bowl, and I smile at Leif. “Thank you.”
“You're welcome.” He pushes the rest of his soup toward me. I didn’t even realize he sat down until he’s standing. “I've got something I need to take care of. When you're done, meet me at my office and I'll show you to your quarters.”
I nod and dig into his food.
It's not long before I'm left with another empty bowl and a full stomach. I slide on the cropped jacket that matches my brown leather pants, stopping to admire the uniform in the mirror next to the door. My cleanhair looks like a cinnamon pastry rolled into a neat bun at my nape. The freckles that sprinkle across my nose and cheeks are no longer covered under smudges of dirt and my brown eyes dominate my round face. I pull loose the leather string at the base of my neck, deepening the neckline of my cream tunic, adding a little flare to it. The military attire is drab and nothing like the fine clothes hanging in my closet at home, but it's better than mud covering me head to toe.
I hold my head high as I make my way down the street. For the first time since arriving at Basecamp, I feel as if I blend in with the other soldiers. My new confidence boost even gives me the courage to nod in greeting as I pass others. When I reach the hub, I yank open the door and march toward the back of the building.
The soldier standing guard at the hallway stretches an arm to stop me, but I walk around him, saying, “Captain Stone is expecting me.”
“But you can't?—”
I dismiss him with a wave and head to Leif's office. His door is open, and I peek inside. A desk with a map spread out over its surface and four chairs surrounding it sit in the center of the room. Two bookcases overflow with books about military strategy and past wars. Not one personal touch is to be seen and neither is Leif.
Stepping out of the office, I meander down the empty corridor. My hands slide into my pockets, and I keep a mindful eye on my surroundings. As I grow closer to the end of the hallway, muffled voices catch my attention. I pause at the double doors of the general's office and contemplate turning around.
“You are overstepping your bounds, Captain,” says a stern but muffled voice.
I lean in and press my ear to the door.
“She was filthy, and her clothes didn't fit. She was covered in pig shit. Did you know she's been sleeping in the stables? Since when is it all right to let someone in your keep sleep in the fucking stables?” Leif bellows.
I should turn around and return to my best friend's office. Leif will surely give me all the details later, but the crack between the two doors lures me in. Holding my breath, I peek inside to find Leif standing before the general's desk. Kyron leans back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him. The tension in the room is thick, like I should chew the air instead of breathing it in.
The general's dark eyes bore into Leif, and he hisses, “I advise you to stand down.”
“I advise you to take better care of your soldiers, General!”
Kyron slaps his palm to the top of his desk and jumps to his feet. “Not everyone in this camp has the luxury of sitting behind a desk and contemplating war strategies, Leif. The soldiers who fight alongsidemehave endured a hell of a lot more in a single hour than she has in three days. If she wants to fight with my regiment, she will earn her place among them or go the fuck home!”
The men remain in a standoff, jaws clenched and bodies rigid. Leif sucks his front teeth and takes a small step back. His submission seems to appease Kyron who eases back into his chair.
“This discussion is over unless you would like orders to go before the king for insubordination,” Kyron coolly says.
“At least get her out of the stables. She doesn't deserve to sleep in there.”
The muscle in Kyron's cheek ticks. “Fine, move her into the room next to Greer's and get the fuck out of my office.”
I push back from the door and tiptoe down the hall. Leaning against the wall next to his office, I examine my nails and pretend I have no clue of what transpired.
Leif charges out of Kyron's office and slams the door behind him. He spares me a glance and breezes past me. I push away from the wall and match his stride.
“Don't pretend like you weren't eavesdropping. It's not in you to keep your nose out of things,” he says.
“What brought that on?” I ask.
“Shitty leadership.”
“I didn't know you had the authority to talk to higher-ranking officers like that.”
“I don't.”
“All the same, you were pretty badass in there,” I say with a weak smile.
