Whisper (Book II)

Chapter Four

"Who is your guest accompanied by?" Ulric asked the first chance he got, careful to keep his accent heavy.

"Who's that?" King Gavin asked, looking up from his books.

They sat in his office waiting patiently for the evening's feast. "I believe she is called Red." Ulric answered, leaning back in his chair and watching the flames dance in the hearth. "She is with a man I believe, I heard them speaking outside of my quarters."

"Oh, of course, our Red. Yes, she did bring an older gentleman, she called him her guardian apparently, though I haven't got a clue what that means."

Ulric nodded and tilted his head thoughtfully. So the laughter was her Appa's.

"Why the interest?" The King asked and he moved to the chair beside Ulric's, leaving his work on his desk.

"I was confused. I had heard that the girl had no family, and so I could not think of who she would bring to the castle when she is merely a guest."

The king nodded, humming thoughtfully. "I had quite the same thoughts, but don't worry, I'll be asking her about him this evening."

"It is very gracious of you to have brought a peasant such as her to the castle. Surely there is an occasion you are honoring?"

Nodding, the king smiled. "I haven't seen her yet, Ambassador, so tell me, is she as beautiful as the stories say?"

Ulric stiffened, suddenly regretting having started this conversation at all. "Your Highness," He started uncertainly, then he recalled having seen her in the hallway. He'd missed her so much more than he'd thought. He'd missed how easily she blushed and the wide, innocent look in her eyes and the way her hair looked after she'd worn her hood, mussed and in a charming state of disarray and before he could think to stop himself he was answering in Ambassador Adwin's accent. "I daresay she's more beautiful than the stories claim."

King Gavin was beaming at the fire when Ulric turned to look at him. "Excellent. And her mannerisms? Is she a proper lady would you say?"

"Sir, I did not speak much to her."

"No matter, I will see come the feast."

"Why is it that you are so interested?"

"She's here undergoing all of the tests to determine if she is worthy of being queen." King Gavin stated proudly and Ulric's throat seemed to close.

He couldn't decide which issue to address first, but his body took charge. "Queen?" He squeaked, then coughed to cover how thin his voice was.

"Not my queen of course!" King Gavin laughed, "I loved once and I am not sure I could do so again, not after my darling Rosalyn died. No, this is for my son. He is now of age and the sooner he can take over the better. I am getting to be too old for all of this."