Not just as a life debt anymore, but as a friend and mentor, Vaegon silently, and willingly pledged his existence to Hyden Hawk. He wasn’t sure what sort of help a Cyclops elf could offer, but he would give it nonetheless. He smiled brightly, and seemed to forget about his troubles, when Hyden Hawk appeared at the cavern entrance, slightly winded and blowing clouds of steam from the burden of hauling his kill.
Mikahl woke to the rich smell of cooking meat. The cavern was warm and toasty. As he blinked and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, Loudin handed him a flask of cold water. A moment later, Vaegon placed a piece of bread in his lap with a flourishing bow, then Hyden gave him a dagger that had a hot, sizzling chunk of fresh roasted meat stabbed on its point.
As Mikahl started to take a bite, he looked around at the faces that were staring at him. All three of his companions were about to burst into laughter. With mock severity they all bowed deeply. When they rose back up, they spoke in perfect unison, and the sarcasm dripped like honey from their words.
“Mighty King Mikahl, your most gracious Highness, we are at your service.” Before they even finished, their laughter exploded through the cavern.
Mikahl smiled broadly, gave a regal nod, and then broke his fast.
Chapter 33
Lord Ellrich was happy to be back at Settsted Stronghold. The familiar stone walls around the keep, with its little bailey yard, single tower, and its bird’s eye view of the seemingly endless and empty green swamp marsh that began on the other side of the river channel, made him feel comfortable and safe.
The smell of Rosila’s cooking wafting up from the kitchen, and the reassuring sound of the men – the few of them King Glendar and his wizard had left him – drilling in the practice yard, were sensations he had never thought to enjoy again. How he had managed to keep his head from being piked at Lakeside Castle was a mystery. He was sure it had more to do with King Glendar’s interest in his daughter than anything else.
Thank the heavens that Zasha was safe at Lake Bottom with Lady Trella. His only hope was that she still might be able to turn Glendar’s eyes away from her. Maybe Trella could get him interested in another maiden. He would send her a message as soon as he was settled and invite them to visit. Lake Bottom was probably a sad sort of place without Lord Gregory around to lend it his cheer.
The week had been extremely busy. Riding out daily to cull men from the garrisons had been no easy task. His huge, old horse could only go so far, so fast, with his great bulk riding on its back, so the work had taken some time.
The soldiers were mostly river folk, his folk. No matter who Lord Ellrich sent off to Wildermont to fight, he found protesting mothers, fathers, and wives. Some, he had managed to appease, others were still cursing his decisions. They were his people and he was their liege. It pained him to do his duty, but the new King of Westland was waging war against the east, and Ellrich would sooner anger a few families than donate his head to the cause.
The river folk were only a portion of Lord Ellrich’s responsibilities. Besides guarding the stretch of Westland shore that contained the Leif Greyn Rivers western channel, he held sway over a huge section of the kingdom’s southern lands. Farmers, herders, and craftsmen alike, all lived and worked under his banner. Lord Brach’s recruiters had come through, and hauled every able bodied man and boy away from their homes to fight. Very few people were happy in this part of the kingdom. Ellrich couldn’t imagine it being much better anywhere else. His people might not be happy with him, but at least it was his people that were around him now. He was home.
On the desk before him, was the remainder of the petitions and grievances that had piled up during his absence. Dealing with King Balton’s funeral, then Glendar’s coronation, and then the matter of sending the King most of his men had taken well over a month. What matters his captains hadn’t been able to resolve, were left here for him to review. It seemed that they hadn’t resolved much. He had thinned the stack down a bit over the past few days, but since the news of his return had spread, it was growing again.