The Captain's Entertainer (Zolan Book 4)

34

🌊 ELYSTIA 🌊

I'm furious.

Zairo abandoned the camp—abandoned his beloved masters that are like brothers to him. And why? Because he lost? The great royal was denied and couldn't take the thought of being rejected by me and being left in the dust, so he decided to try again elsewhere. To settle some place, steal someone's heart with his lies and manipulation until they don't ever consider leaving.

I breathe shakily, my thoughts tangling. I'm overwhelmed with guilt and anger. Bust mostly anger because he's fucking showing me that he cared. He cared enough about me to be so hurt by my departure that he gave the camp away.

But his hurt does not justify his absence. He has a duty to these people, to this land. He's a damn Captain. Not many masters of such caliber exist.

He doesn't get to tuck his tail and run away from the war. It hasn't ended yet, no matter how calm things have been lately.

I will drag him back into his tent if I have to. He can't retire to the mountains when there is still so much left to do.

"Who overlooks the camp now? Who has replaced The Captain?"

The entertainer shakes her head. "No one. They are debating replacements. In the meantime the masters are staying sharp by doubling their patrolling shifts and training."

Good. There is still time to set Zairo back in his rightful seat. In the giant tent where he showed me indescribable pleasure.

I'm going to hunt him down. He won't expect me. A man like that–a natural hunter, has no reason to look over his shoulder. Only an unhinged person would go after him. Only me.

I'll need a few dozen arrows, my good furs, and a map. Then I'll be set to go.

My eyes narrow on the bronze handcuffs dangling from the entertainer's hands. They're thick and heavy, designed to restrain a beast.

"What's the meaning of these cuffs?"

The entertainer purses her lips as if recalling an unpleasant memory. "He would cuff himself to the main tent post some nights."

"Some nights? Pray tell, why would he do this?"

"To keep himself from running after you. He was not...in his sane mind."

I extend my hands and she passes the chains. I test their weight. They're heavy, but I can handle them. This is an essential part of my trip. I will chain Zairo to the nearest fucking tree once I find him. And I'll keep him there until he agrees to return to his people.

I'm not sure how I'll subdue a giant but my determination and a few arrows might just be enough.

"I'll return shortly for these chains. Please secure them until I leave."

I run off in search of a healer.

Only one problem keeps me from immediately hunting Zairo, and that's Sidra. I don't want to abandon her in her time of illness. Especially after I promised I would look after her. But it's not like I can take her with me into the wilderness. She has no hunting or survival skills. She belongs here with the entertainers, serving the war in her own meaningful ways.

She must stay here, in the camp, and be looked after by the healers. She won't agree—that's certain. But I need to do this alone.

I need to confront Zairo for the sake of the camp. He might have his faults as a lover, but he's an excellent leader. The people need him.

I announce myself before the tallest healer tent, examining the scripture painted on the grey hide of the tent. My heart squeezes when I read words that I wouldn't have recognized a few months ago. The lectures Zairo gave me opened my eyes to a new world.

The healer appears with an elderly woman beside him. She's blindfolded, but her head is lifted and facing me as if she's looking right at me.

"Healer, may I request a second of your time?" I ask, my voice shaky with nerves.

I have no place in this camp after leaving it and Zairo isn't here to say otherwise. The healer can direct me to hell and I wouldn't have any recourse. Sidra's medicine would be left in the hands of the gods.

The healer looks over my shoulder, as if looking for someone.

"Of...of course."

The elderly woman approaches, her curled staff thudding on the ground.

I flinch when she bends down, groaning as she lowers herself. My hands instinctively reach out to support her in case she falls.

"M–madam?"

The woman draws on the ground around my feet, and I have no idea what to make of it. I have still not gotten accustomed to all the gestures and customs of the people of the motherland.

Is she greeting me?

(A/N: The priestess' do this to greet the most powerful people in a jurisdiction. Elystia owns Zairo's heart, so she's more powerful than him.)

The healer certainly looks like he understands the situation. Although based on his shock, I'm not sure this is a plesantry.

She rises and mutters, "You will be alright, young soul."

She walks away, leaving me baffled.

"R–right..." I shake my head and focus on the healer. "I need medication, please. I can pay."

"Apologies, but medication is only available for camp members. You have abandoned your post."

Anxiety flushes through my blood. I thrust my bag forward. "You can keep it all." I shake the bag so he hears the clanking of coins.

He hesitates before peeking into my bag. He looks around before nodding. "Very well, but we will keep this exchange between us."

"There is more," I whisper. "I need you to look after my friend, Sidra, until she recovers. I will pay you more gold as soon as I have it. I swear that I'm good for it."

"Hmm... double. I will expect double of this deposit."

"Yes, healer."

I'll figure out how I'll afford that fortune once I return.

My only focus now is the Captain that went rogue. I have some chains to introduce him to.

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