Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 19

      "It was not your fault Rose would rather fight than hide," Evergreen says.

     "Her name is Rose?" I ask.

     "Yes, why?"

     "It's fitting she's beautiful, but if you don't know how to handle her she'll draw blood." Evergreen laughs uncontrollably.

     "I had never thought of it like that," he gasps out finally. "So what does my name give you?" he asks curiously.

     "Evergreen, a staple of the forest, beautiful to behold and strong, surviving all weather conditions with deep roots and providing a safe haven for many types of animals," I say.

     "So how accurate am I?" I ask watching his face.

     "Closer than I'd expected you to be," he says with some emotion I can't read. "I'll leave the book by the bed, I have some things to take care of." He leaves quickly, shutting the door behind him. Finally Rose comes in and checks on me.

     "You should be in bed resting," she scolds gently as she helps me back to the bed. She pulls the rope and soon a servant comes with a tray of food. She places the tray on my lap and then sits in the chair I'd vacated and begins to embroider something. I dig into my meal half heartedly until Rose scolds me. Then I quickly finish my meal so she'll be happy.

     "Can't have you starving to death after all I've done to keep you alive," she teases.

     "Sorry, I've had a busy day rolling around the garden, telling your tutor about my life, and walking to a chair," I say.

     "Then you should have had more of an appetite," she admonishes.

     "I guess I'm suffering from emotional confusion," I say. "Your brother confuses me a little."

     "He's got a lot to deal with," she says quietly.

     "I'd say so, he's got a whole kingdom to run now, plus the traitors to hunt down, and he made changes to your guys way of life," I say yawning.

     "And yet you're the one tired," she teases.

     "I lost more blood during the battle and did all the hard work," I retort.

     "Yes, bleeding all over the place must have been hard," she counters.

     "It takes special skills to do it with my style," I joke.

     "Go to sleep you stubborn female," she says closing the door and taking both servant and tray with her.

     I wake to sunshine coming through the window and stretch carefully before climbing out of the bed and using the privy room. It takes me forever to make it back to the chair where I sit feeling like I've been running for a week straight. Evergreen graces me with his presence and smiles at me.

     "Mind if I hide in here?" he asks shutting the door.

     "Nope, running a kingdom boring you already?" I ask.

     "No, some of the elders are starting with the marriage thing again," he says.

      "Oh, that sounds a little too familiar," I say smiling at him.

     "My uncle brought me back here and wanted me to head a war party with a guy named Nelax. Our two tribes would rid the plains of you. I decided to do things my way.