Annihilation - Book Three

Chapter 40

One burned crotch and an array of emotions later; I'm patting a woman dry in a way I never thought I would have to experience. I trade out another cool, damp cloth to replace her drenched one. Adriam has already inspected the affected area and has declared that, while she's scalded, she won't be permanently damaged.

Her pride is probably hurt worse than anything, though explaining that to Penelope is more complicated than it would appear. I shoot Adriam a glare, but by the look on his face, I can tell it was in good spirits and not with malicious intent. He looks happy, I can't be too upset with him, given our circumstances. Anything to give him even an ounce of joy was worth it, despite the trouble it may cause. 

Our host finally appears, looking at us like we're insane, as though he were questioning why he even bothered to share space with us. 

 We all silence ourselves,, and I clear my throat. "Good morning, your lordship. Can I offer you breakfast?" I ask dutifully, and he gives me a confused look.

 Penelope whacks me subtly with the back of her hand. "You're about to be their King, you idiot." She hisses. 

Haryek stands, offering a small smile as he gestures toward the spread. "Daniel, we've made breakfast. Have some." He offers him a plate, and the man reluctantly sits with us, rigid, like one who was suffering from head sickness often following battle. Daniel appears haunted, gaunt in his coloring, with a far-away expression. 

 I give the elf an appreciative look for saving me, and he bears down on me with what I can assume is a suggestion to get it together. 

The man is probably in his thirties, potentially nearing forty by the flecks of white in his sandy hair. He's a slender man, obviously not used to having done much in his life, as he's of a softer variety than I'm used to, given my time with our men. 

"You keep strange friends, Haryek," Daniel grumbles. "Shame you felt the need to bring them here."

"Well, he's a creep, so-" Penelope scowls and Tomas chuckles at her. 

Giving them both a dark look, I do my best to appear in high standings as I square my shoulders and attempt to look catered to. 

"Well, come what may, Daniel, the war is at our doorstep, and it was going to reach you regardless of our arrival." Haryek reminds him, taking a sip of tea. His politician's face is on, going from sarcastic to proper at the drop of a hat.

Our human host flinches at Tomas's laughter, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. I note the tremble in his fingers and how he appears to twitch at every movement. He looks like a man who doesn't trust a single one of us. "I erm—I need to speak with your leader." 

The table grows silent as the timid voice requests to see the man nobody expected him to ask for. Haryek looks taken aback, "Daniel, I assure you we are all equal-" 

Our host can only stare at him, vacant, expectant, and the elf frowns before pursing his lips. "He's resting. He's had a rough couple of days. What is it that you need?" 

Clutching something close to his chest, it's as if he might have changed his mind, but under the weight of the gaze of the group, he reluctantly hands over a message. "Came in on the falcon this morning. Aelin brought it to my attention as it's written in Elvish."

"Why does it matter if a falcon brought it?" Tonic questions as he eats. 

"Faster." Tomas shrugs. "Must be important."

Haryek glances over it, hesitating as his eyebrows pull downward, he glances up and then reads it over again. "Have you responded?"

"No. That's why I want to speak to your leader." Daniel tells him firmly.