CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“So who is this famous holy man that has such a talent for glass architecture?” Ever nocked an arrow as he awaited Rafael’s response. He worked hard to appear casual after finding out about the glass in Launce’s mysterious gifts.
“So that’s why you dragged me out here.” Rafael shook his head as he nocked his own arrow. “I knew it couldn’t be simply for old time’s sake.”
“You know me too well for that.”
“I suppose I do,” Rafael sighed as they nudged their mounts into the shadowy greens of the woods.
The horses obeyed, but moved along at a leisurely pace, not suitable at all for hunting. This was fine with Ever, as he had no intention of actually hunting with the king. He simply needed to get Rafael alone. Hunting was merely the invitation that was sure to draw the king from his courtiers.
“You never had fun much as a youth either. You spent enough time in my courts disconcerting the men and driving the girls mad by refusing to look at them.”
Ever snorted. “It’s not practical to woo women when a rebel is lurking in every corner, waiting to kill you.”
“’Tis true, but you have a way of unnerving people, Everard. And you know it. In fact, you’re doing a wonderful job of it now. Have you forgotten completely how to smile? Half of my servants are terrified of you, and I’ll wager at least half of the guests.”
At this, Ever allowed himself a small grin. That had been his plan precisely. “Your court needs a bit of fear driven into it. Everyone is too complacent, including you.”
“And you blame all of this on my holy man?” Rafael pulled his horse to a halt and looked directly at Ever. The breeze moved through the trees in quick darts and whirls, trying to find a way through Ever’s cloak to warn him that winter was fast approaching.
“I simply do not see how you can trust him so implicitly after such a short period of time. The message you sent before last seemed as though all was proceeding as usual. Why the sudden change in allegiances?”
“There is no change in allegiance, Everard.” Rafael shook his head and nudged his horse forward again at a slow pace. “And the holy man has been here for quite a while. I have gotten to know him well. Besides,” Rafael looked at him again, but this time, a strange gleam came to his eye, the same maddening look he’d worn since they’d first arrived. “He has shown me many signs. Too many to ignore.”
“I could show you signs, and I’m no holy man. Even such,” Ever said, fixing the king with his most intense stare, “don’t his signs remind you of a certain dangerous character?”
“Rubbish!” Rafael waved him off, but refused to meet Ever’s eyes. “He’s been dead for three thousand years. Just because one enchanter used glass doesn’t mean no one else can ever touch it. Now, are we going to hunt or not? We haven’t even left the path yet, and my wife is expecting me back for the midday meal.”
Frustrated, but knowing he would get no further at that moment, Ever nodded, and they turned their horses off the trail.
Ever heard the arrow before he could see it. With a sharp crack, it hit the tree behind them, missing Rafael’s neck by inches. Rafael’s horse reared, but Ever’s had been seasoned with more battles than he could count. Another arrow missed Rafael as he tried to get his steed under control, this time it came from further to the left. While Rafael continued to wrestle with his horse, distant hoof beats told Ever all he needed to know. With just a touch to his horse’s sides, he and his beast were off in pursuit.
Ever laid low so the trees wouldn’t hit him as they sped through the trees. It wasn’t long before Ever’s horse snorted. Ever gave him the lead, knowing he would follow the scent much faster than Ever could track by sight. Soon, the rear hooves of their prey’s ride came into view. It was a gray steed, and blended in well with the surrounding forest.
They moved up and down hills, and even forded a small creek before Ever was able to come up alongside the attacker. Anger coursed through him as he caught sight of the man’s saddlebags. Seeing the familiar red crest was like being thrust back into his youth, when he had chased hundreds of the separatists from the Cobrien borders with his father.
Yanking his sword out, Ever pointed it at the horse, hoping not to spook the animal too badly, just to bring him to a halt. It was the rider he was interested in. Blue fire gathered around his forearm, swirling about it briefly before shooting down the tip of his sword and into the beast itself. It let out a whinny of pain as the blue fire engulfed it. The encounter was brief, lasting only long enough for the horse to stop so quickly its rider fell off. Once it was free, the beast trotted off, completely unscathed. Ever couldn’t say the same would happen for its rider. Without pause, he was off his horse as well, crouching over the man and pressing his sword into the man’s neck.
“Who sent you?”
“I act alone!”
“You’re lying.”
The man started to protest again, but stopped when the blue flame returned to Ever’s hand, the one that held him down. The man’s eyes grew wide as it flowed and swayed in place. Ever leaned down to whisper in his ear, “As you can see, my fire doesn’t burn unless I tell it to. It, can, however, leave a dastardly stinging sensation.”
The man’s cry was loud, and long enough that Ever hoped it would change his mind about his next answer. “Now, who sent you?”
“I… I was paid!”
“By whom?”
“You saw my crest! Who else?”
Just then, Rafael rode up, flanked by a dozen of his guards. “I see you haven’t lost your touch.”
“And I see you have.” Ever sheathed his sword as the guards gathered up the unfortunate young man to take him away. “You’ve gotten fat, Rafael. And slow.”
“We can’t all be you or your father, Everard,” Rafael sighed.
“Does this happen often?”
Rafael shrugged and made an impatient gesture with his hands. “The rebel attacks resumed not long after you and your father returned to Destin.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
Rafael shrugged. “They were very few for a while. But they’ve been steadily increasing in number.”
Ever stayed quiet as he swung back onto his horse, and they began their trek back to the palace. Rafael spoke again, and for the first time, his voice was tired, void of the jovial sound he’d kept since Ever had first arrived. His large frame sagged, and the wrinkles at his eyes seemed to double.
“Do you see now why I need someone here though? I appreciate your help. I always have. But you cannot be here all the time to rescue me.” Rafael pulled at his beard as he stared at ahead. “I need someone here who can do more than I. I might be fair at trade, but we both know I was never that strong.”
Ever didn’t answer at first. What Rafael said was true. In fact, it was probably the first sincere admittance Ever had heard since arriving. Still, a needy king only made the situation direr, riper for an intrusion, and Ever had yet to find out who exactly had come to the king’s aid, claiming to be a holy man with signs, no less. “Have my years of friendship at least equaled a sign in merit to you?”
Rafael turned and gave him a weary smile. “What is it you want, Everard?”
“Let me meet him. At least let me get to see him face to face.”
“Very well. Tomorrow, after the games are done. Meet me at the naval dock.”
As Rafael said the words, a huge weight was lifted from Ever’s shoulders. He finally had an end in sight. The sooner he could see this mystery solved, the better. They could go home, and he could care for Isa the way she deserved.
The two kings rode in silence for a few moments, the only sound, the crunching of dead leaves under their horse’s hooves.
“Perhaps,” Rafael finally said in a soft voice, “you will allow me more grace when you have a child of your own, one whose future depends solely on your strength and wisdom. Then, maybe, then you will not judge me so harshly.”