Prince of Time

Chapter Sixteen - Defenders

Roald brought them bowls of stew and shook his head at the absent members.

“Nicanor’s with Leilani,” he said, miserably. “Isn’t he?”

“Yes,” Maple confirmed. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Oh, he’s a good man,” Roald flapped a hand. “Brave and strong and all of that. But so mysterious. I don’t know about his past. Leilani says he tells her things but…I don’t know. He’s gone for weeks at a time, here only for days. How am I to know that Leilani’s the only one?”

“She is,” Ane said, instantly. “I know she is.”

“Do you now,” Roald’s expression gave nothing away. “And how well do you know Master Nicanor, hmmm?”

“Well…” Ane stopped. “I’ve known him a while.”

“A while,” Roald laughed shortly. “Yes, I’ve known him a while. Turned up as a boy in a traveller’s coat. Nice lad, polite, respectful. Cut a man clean dead in the middle of the room.”

Maple’s jaw dropped and Roald caught her expression.

“Oh yes,” he nodded. “That Nicanor is a killer alright. Good thing too. The man was giving Leilani grief. Bad customer sorted out by good customer. Problems solved.”

He shook his head at their faces.

“Course,” he sighed, “Leilani fell hopelessly for him. He seemed like a good boy. They were only talking. He stayed here for a week or two and then vanished. Came back a while later and Leilani was still hopelessly for him and they were kissing a lot when they thought I didn’t notice.”

“He always comes back,” Maple reminded him.

“Aye, but what does he do while he’s gone?” Roald looked hopeless. “I like the lad, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t want Leilani getting hurt. My only daughter and all...”

“He would never hurt her,” Ane told him, firmly. “You must have seen the way he looks at her. Nobody can fake that look in their eyes.”

“I wish I was as trusting as you,” Roald laughed bitterly. “But you don’t tend to meet good company on a road like this.”

“Why do you stay?”

“Sorry,” Roald stood up and began to walk away. “I don’t do backstory.”

They were the only occupants of the inn that night and Maple went downstairs at dawn to find Nicanor and Leilani already up, deep in conversation.

“Morning,” she smiled, sleepily.

“Good morning, May,” Leilani beamed at her. “What can I get you for breakfast? Toast? Porridge?”

“I can sort myself, if you tell me where the kitchen is,” Maple glanced at the two of them with slightly maternal affection. “I expect you’ve still got a lot to talk about.”

“Yes,” Zeno walked in behind her. “Though one would suppose they had said everything last night...hmm, Nicanor?”

Nicanor’s cheeks turned slightly pink and Leilani flushed delicate scarlet.

“Don’t think we care,” Zeno added. “Just thought you should recognise that Tobiah and I noticed your absence throughout the entirety of last night.”

“Oh, shut it,” Nicanor threw a spoon at his head.

Zeno laughed. “Where’s the kitchen, Miss Leilani? We can help ourselves to breakfast.”