Page 12 of Fate of Echoes and Embers
He wanted to smile but it seemed Sir Warren Calder had caught Issa’s affliction for hating me. “A rather impractical, dare I say, theatrical, display of your abilities.”
“Perhaps,” I admitted, “it might be simpler, especially given my short stay here, to send an emissary from Aetheria. I head there straightaway and will see to it since I know Issa won’t ask.”
“Thank you.” He sped up alongside me.
Sir Warren appeared so much older than when we first met. There were times I envied humans for their mortality, but others when I felt poorly for the frailty that came with such rapid aging, though I would never hint of that to the commander.
“Do you have a destination?” he asked.
“No,” I admitted. “It just seemed prudent to step away from the manor until mid-day.”
“When my lady will join you and your companions?”
“She briefed you?” I asked, moving to the side of the road as a wagon came toward us with what appeared to be a shipment of fruits and vegetables.
“Aye. Said only that she was needed for an important mission relating to King Galfrid’s attempt at reopening the Gate. Lord Draven was not pleased she refused to reveal the exact nature of her mission.”
“And you are not displeased by the lack of information?”
Sir Warren greeted the wagon rider as our road opened up once again. “No. But then, I have no ambitions beyond my current station.”
“But Draven does?”
He made a sound of disgust. “He will not be content until he’s named King of Estmere.”
“There is no king of Estmere,” I pointed out.
“Precisely.”
We rode in silence until a stream, where I slowed, unable to resist. Coming to a stop, I raised both hands and manipulated the water into the air, allowing it to fall on the plants and flowers along its banks.
“Braggart.”
Because he said it with the faintest hint of a smile, I didn’t take offense. Not that I would do so anyway, since he was right.
“Perhaps, but those flowers will be thankful for it. I’m surprised we’ve heard little about your lack of rain in the region.”
Neither of us rode away. I, for one, was content to remain along the river, never fond of being long without seeing water.
“You broke her heart. Devastated her.”
His words were so unexpected from the stalwart commander, I had no response. Instead, I watched the current, allowing it to sync with the beating of my heart. When I looked up, Sir Warren was watching me.
“I devastated myself in leaving.”
“Maybe so, but you had a choice in the matter. My lady did not.”
I hadn’t expected to have this conversation, but since we were doing it, I’d lean into it. “I was a coward and have regretted it since. Aye, we need Lady Isolde’s abilities for this mission, but I also wanted the opportunity to see her. To apologize. But she’s made me promise not to mention our past.”
“Then do not.”
“Thank you,” I said sarcastically, “for the advice.”
“If your intentions are to find forgiveness with Lady Isolde, then I would suggest taking her lead. And consider not breaking her heart again.”
Though his words were casual, his tone was not.
“I’ve no intention of doing so.”
