Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 31

      "So they may not pledge their loyalty to the King?" I ask making sure I understand.

     "If they don't then we would have to go there and find out why. Of course that will now be your job officially. Unofficially you'll be there to make sure that they don't try to kill the king."

     "So I'm like the personal body guard of Evergreen?" I ask feeling lost again.

     "Something like that. You two will share a tent while we are out and make plans if we have to storm the keeps. Ready the soldiers to fight, that sort of thing."

     "I probably shouldn't be in the same tent as the king," I say looking away. "I don't believe that is normal protocol."

     "It will be fine, you two will never be alone, cause we'll be meeting in your tent. Also it will be easier to guard you both if you are in the same location."

     "Fine when do we start this round of head bashing?" I demand.

     "At the end of the month," the first says with a smirk. "You'll be able to visit your family before we leave."

     "Then I will leave tonight and make a quick journey. Don't forget to pay me," I say trying to keep things professional. I can't let my feelings get in the way.

     "Of course we'll give you these rooms, food, title, and pay whatever expenses you may need," Evergreen says calmly.

     "That will do," I say passing him and opening the door. I spend the month on the plains hunting, gathering and riding down those that escaped the castle. I reluctantly return at the end of the month. I make my way up to the rooms that are now mine and shove open the door, dropping my bags and setting down my spare weapons.

     "I was wondering if you were actually going to come back," Evergreen says rising from the chair.

    "I agreed to the terms and I will take care of this problem for you and when it is done I will move on," I say mechanically. We have a late night meeting and I find that only about half the clans presented themselves during the month. I study the map and deicide to start with the clans farthest from us and work our way back to the castle. I leave the study and return to my rooms where I pace, these blasted feelings have sat idle for a month and are now returning in full force. I close my eyes and can practically smell Evergreen. I quickly open my eyes as this isn't helping me think. My mind betrays me and brings up the kiss from so long ago. My body reacts as if it is happening again and the confusion follows quickly behind that. I sit down in the chair and work to regain control of myself and then go to bed.

     The first night under the stars I finally feel like myself again. I even man the pot as the meal cooks, causing several of the men to laugh. I eat my portion of food as I stare at the bright stars and try not to think about the tent. It is the second watch of the night before I get up the courage to enter the tent. Evergreen is asleep and I quietly grab the bedding and pull it out next to the fire. I lay down and close my eyes and quickly fall asleep. I wake to the camp beginning to break and quickly roll up my gear and help get us on our way. On the third day a shower stops us. We quickly set up camp and hide in the tents. I spend the time pouring over the maps and trying to work out the best return route. I absolutely ignore how close Evergreen is to me. Wearily I accept the wedge of cheese and half a loaf of bread from Evergreen. I roll up the maps and return them the containers.