Page 77 of Silverbow
“I think the mattress might soil my bedroll, and that’s been rolling around in the dirt for over a month,” she muttered. “Is the food as bad as I think?”
“Worse.”
“Delightful.”
The gray gruel that was set before her in the common room did little to settle Enya’s stomach, still churning after the press of Windross Wells. At least she’d been allowed down out of her room. For a moment, she thought Oryn was going to order her to take her meal in the cramped space, but as she darted a panicked look around, he jerked his chin in silent command to follow him down the stairs. She had never been so happy to accept an order. Pressed between her overbearing gargoyle and Colm, she watched Aiden stoically shovel the sludge into his mouth.
“It’s not that bad if you drink enough of the ale,” he said.
Enya wrinkled her nose and pushed her bowl at him. “I’m not hungry.”
“Suit yourself.” He finished scraping his own bowl and started on hers.
She turned to study the rough faces around the room. “Why this place?”
“Because people like us don’t stand out here,” Colm answered quietly.
Enya wasn’t so sure she agreed. Some of the men were broader of shoulder, and some carried more steel than a forge could make in a year, but the demi-elves looked almost regal compared to the merchant’s guards and sell swords packed into the Broken Spoke. She wrinkled her nose in disgust as a man groped a serving maid in full view of the innkeeper. The girl batted his hand away with a curse.They were certainly better mannered.
Her gaze landed on the back of a tall man at a distant card table. The men around him seemed to defer to him, even if he appeared to be the youngest of the bunch. A heavy, two handed broadsword with a gilded bear worked into the hilt hung at his hip. It had rubies for eyes and Enya wondered what a sword like that was doing at an inn like this. When the man seemed to feel her eyes and turned to look over his shoulder, she ducked her face into her wine cup. To her horror, he rose and started toward them.
Oh, light.
The demi-elves watched him approach with unruffled faces. Enya didn’t look up as he leaned down and splayed broad hands across the scarred wood, eyeingeach of her companions in turn. She shrank back into her chair when his eyes lingered on her.
“The city’s really gone to the dogs, letting a bunch of half-breeds like you lot in,” he growled in a thick northern brogue.
Enya held her breath, eyes fixed on the table.
Bade spat at his feet. “You’re one to talk, you ugly son of a goat.”
A broad grin broke out over his handsome face and he clasped forearms with the dark eyed demi-elf. “Bade Bandone in the flesh, and the rest of the usual suspects.”So much for their other names.His hazel eyes swiveled between Enya and the men who flanked her. “Well. Who do you belong to, lass? Not Bellami.” He lifted a brow toward Oryn in silent question.
“I don’tbelongto anyone,“ she hissed.
“Ah, that’s for the best. They’re way too old for a lass like you. Older than dirt, the lot of them. But I,” he gave a dramatic bow. “Cedric Norvallen, at your service, Miss…?”
“Ansel,” she said a bit too thickly as pink crept into her cheeks.
Cedric pulled out the empty chair beside Aiden and invited himself to sit. He spun it around backwards and dropped onto it, propping his chin on folded arms as he studied her intently. Enya’s heart gave a strangled little leap.
“House Norvallen?” She asked, shifting in her seat. Oryn nudged her with a boot beneath the table in a reminder of his favorite rule.
Cedric wiggled a finger with a gold signet ring. “One and the same. It’s not as pretty or posh as Brydove’s though,” he gave her wink.
Not as posh as his?Enya darted a look at the gold signet ring Oryn wore but presumed he was making some kind of joke she did not understand. Lord Norvallen was the High Lord of Valbelle.
“Careful, Ced,” Colm warned.
“What are you lot doing back this side of the sea? Last I saw you, you were lounging on pillows in the sun while some of Durelli’s finest-”
“We grew bored of luxury,” Aiden sighed with an accusatory look at Oryn.
Cedric chuckled. “Girl’s got the west on her tongue. You already been across the continent and back and you didn’t even bother to write? And here I thought I meant something to you.”
“Another war, another sell sword,” Aiden quipped.
Cedric raised a hand to his chest in mock offense. He turned his attention back to Enya. “Heading east with this lot. You’re either wanted or gifted lass, which is it?”
