Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 21

      "You handled that well," Evergreen whispers as he wheels me into the hall after the riders. Nelax sits down and begins to eat the food without watching the host as I would. Evergreen shakes his head and then smiles handing me a plate of cold meats, cheese, and bread. I wait until all riders are seated and then begin to eat the food.

     "So why have you come here?" I ask Nelax; again his father answers.

     "We were worried something bad had fallen on you," the man says.

     "And I already told you I found a better way to solve the problem and acted accordingly," I say.

     "But you didn't return when you were finished," the father says.

     "Unfortunately I was wounded and have been permitted to stay here and rest until I am ready to return to the plains," I say looking at Evergreen.

     "I have insisted that she rest here, since she was wounded while in my employment," Evergreen confirms. "You are welcome to stay as long as you like so you can see that she is free to do as she pleases."

     "Thank you, sir, you are most kind," Nelax father says stiffly. I can tell he looks at Evergreen as a threat to his sons non- existent claim on me. I manage to keep a straight face as the men begin to discuss various boring topics. I yawn and make excuse to leave. Evergreen excuses himself as well and takes me back to my room. I look back to find Nelax following us.

     "What are you doing?" I ask after yawning again.

     "I wanted to see where you are staying so I may call on you later," Nelax says.

     "Fine, but I don't wish to have a visitor tonight. I am exhausted," I say.

     "All I wish to see is where you will be at," Nelax says stubbornly. I nod and glance at Evergreen who seems to be working really hard not to laugh. Finally I am left alone in the room. I really want to sleep under the stars, but I know that is impossible and work to go to sleep surrounded by stone walls. I wake to find Rose watching me.

     "What?" I ask as soon as I am awake.

     "Your friends are getting on the guards nerves," she says dismissively.

     "So send them away," I retort feeling irritated.

     "We can not, Evergreen told them they were welcome to stay as long as they wanted," she says grinning at me.

     "What have I missed?" I ask as she changes the bandages and helps me into the cart contraption.

     "Only that Nelax character proving there is nothing useful between his ears," she says with a laugh.

     "I could have told you that. In fact I told Evergreen that at some point," I counter.

     "Well let's get you down to the breakfast mess." I sit and listen to Nelax father spout off a lot of crap about his tribes abilities. I know these to be idle threats and look to see what Evergreen's reaction will be. He smiles politely and counters the threats with one's that would worry even me. However the fool doesn't seem to get it. I catch Rose's eye and we escape into the gardens.

     "You know if you were able to get Nelax a pretty plains girl that wasn't too smart, but really sweet. I could almost guarantee they'd disappear. His father just wants to see him married off," I say causing Rose to laugh. When she finally gets herself together I can see her mentally working through a list.