Page 19 of Sword of Desire
“Even though we came from this direction last night?” she asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Brodek smiled. “You’re welcome to go that way; however, this way is faster.”
Gytha hesitated.
Ackley decided to follow him. So far, Brodek and his men hadn’t given any indication they intended to harm him. That wasn’t to say things couldn’t change. As they traversed through hallway after hallway, Ackley took note of the width from wall to wall, intersections, doors, and anything useful in case he did find himself in the middle of a fight.
A hint of smoke wafted in the corridor. Brodek stopped before an open archway, waving the two of them forward. Ackley entered the kitchen where he saw two skinned rabbits skewered on sticks resting over a fire in the hearth off to the left. In the center of the large room, a long wooden table took up most of the space. He sat on the bench, resting his elbows against the table. “I take it this place is abandoned?”
“It is,” Brodek said, sitting across from him.
Gytha plopped next to Ackley. “I thought we were going to an inn.”
“This used to be an inn.”
Ridek entered, rubbing his hands together and blowing into them. “All clear. Olek just went on duty.”
Brodek nodded. “And Tarnek?”
“He’s not here?” Ridek looked at the hearth. “I see two rabbits cooking.”
Shaking his head, Brodek said, “He went back out for more. That was twenty minutes ago.”
“Right at shift change,” Ridek mused.
“With the thick fog, it’ll be hard to see someone coming,” Ackley pointed out. It was one of the many reasons he both loved and hated fog.
“Is that a threat?” Brodek asked, his voice low and lethal.
Ackley blinked, finding it interesting that Brodek felt as uncertain about this situation as he did. “It’s an observation.” The tension increased, and he wanted to diffuse it. “I need to speak with your empress to ensure my soldiers’ safety. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize that, and I suggest you don’t either.”
“And that, my dear Brodek,” Gytha drawled, “is a threat.”
Brodek watched the two of them for an uncomfortable minute before glancing at Ridek. “Was everything quiet during your watch?”
“Eerily quiet.”
“Put the fire out,” Brodek commanded.
Ridek grabbed a bucket of water and tossed it on the flames in the hearth. They sizzled out, filling the room with smoke.
“Who could be out there?” Gytha asked.
“Besides your men coming to rescue you, I have no idea.” Brodek stood and unsheathed his sword.
“I don’t need to be rescued,” Ackley said. He had the inclination to lean back and put his boots on the table. However, he was on a bench seat so that wasn’t feasible. “How many men did you send to the empress with my request?”
“Three.”
“And you plan to remain here until you hear back from them?” Perhaps someone knew the plan and had come to intervene.
“If there’s someone out there, I have no idea what they’d want.” Brodek exited the room, Ridek right behind him.
Gytha jumped up and followed, a sword already in hand.
Reluctantly, Ackley stood and headed after them. He hadn’t even eaten, and the possibility of a fight already presented itself. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he cursed, wishing things could either go according to plan or be simple for once.
They headed along a dark hallway.
