Lord Wellimton leans over and nods as if approving. “Sir Gowon said they train them starting at age five. Smart and economical.”
If any of the Bron people overhear us, they give no evidence of caring. Although I notice with the continued partaking of the food and drink, the Assembly’s reserved expressions begin to slip a bit, revealing what appears to be a genuine affection for each other and an enhanced coolness toward us. A few times I even catch some of them looking my direction with what I swear is outright resentment. And when a group of younger boys takes up pointing at me, it’s with traces of malice in their gazes.
I keep my expression clear and sift quickly through them for Kel, but he’s not there. Then go back to my food. How can I blame them?
Another ten, fifteen, twenty minutes slide by before Rasha tips toward my ear. “I believe I’ve focused in on a few members who might hold information we can use, if I can get them in a quieter room. Those generals surrounding Eogan have been here for years, and if he dies they will send this land into a civil war in their fight to succeed him. One of them being Sir Gowon.”
My hand pauses holding a spoonful of food halfway between my plate and mouth. “Sir Gowon wants Eogan’s throne?”
“No, but from what I saw in him when we first arrived, his commitment is even stronger to Bron than who sits on its throne. If Eogan dies, he’s willing to do what needs to be done to keep order. However, seeing as he’s known Eogan and served this kingdom since Eogan’s childhood, I believe he can be valuable to us.”
I don’t look at her. Instead I flutter a glance at Eogan, who’s immersed in conversation with the generals at his table, and hesitate before asking, “Valuable regarding saving Eogan?”
She frowns in confusion. “No. Helpful regarding knowledge of Draewulf’s plans in the past as well as any old agreements Bron made with him,” she says slowly, staring at me. Abruptly her eyes flare faintly, but we’re interrupted by two Cashlin guards slipping up behind us. One bends down to whisper in Rasha’s ear. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but her countenance falls. She pushes back from the table with a hurried, “Excuse me, I have to go,” tossed in Wellimton’s direction. She turns me a worried glare, which she extends over to Myles, before being hustled from the room by her men.
I rise to go after her, but the expressions of both the Bron and Faelen guards make it clear I’m to stay. “It’s a private matter, miss,” one of them says.
Private. Yet he looks worried too.
I purse my lips and turn back, only to notice a number of the boys openly glaring at me. I smile at them, which seems to rattle their gazes until suddenly they’re looking to the king’s table where Eogan-who-is-Draewulf is standing and clanking his metal goblet against his plate.
“My Bron family and Faelen friends, I trust you have enjoyed your feast as richly as I have.”
There’s that muted cheer again.
“I’d like to believe that the flavors and generosity with which our feast was prepared tonight will be a foretaste of the conversations that lie ahead. During the past week I’ve spent in Faelen, King Sedric and I developed and signed a peace treaty. At tomorrow’s meetings we will talk in greater detail about the specific policies and requirements surrounding that treaty. However, for now, let us continue to celebrate by way of traditional Bron entertainment!”
A little more approval for Eogan is shown this time in the voices and clapping.
I look at Sir Gowon. Does he notice any difference in the man before him? I glance behind me for Rasha, who’s not returned yet, and note the host of guards still blocking the door. My spine squeezes. What happened to make her leave like that?
I look at Gwen and my guard. “I’m going to sit by Myles.”
He nods and allows me to take the seat on the other side of the lord protectorate.
“How much longer is this?” I growl.
“What’s the commotion with Rasha?”
“I’ve no idea, but considering she left, we can too.”
“She will have a believable explanation, and she is not Eogan’s favorite Elemental at the moment. So no, we can’t. Now tell me what Rasha’s guardsss said to her.”
“I couldn’t hear, but whatever it was she looked worried.” I peer around for a time gauge on the wall. “And I think she might have caught on to our plans.”
He utters a curse word. “Remind me never to rely on you for information.”
“Information? Eogan is dying right now.”
Myles’s expression turns sickly humored. “Yes, and I have to admit I’m rather enjoying watching you squirm. Almost as much as seeing how much that group of boys seems to hate you.”