Page 103 of Keeper of the Word

“I see. I am sorry for your losses. I suffered many yesterday, including a town of innocent people.”

“Stars. That’s horrible. Do you know who ’twas?”

Tolvar tried to keep his pause as casual as the survey he conducted of Greenwood’s camp. “Nay.”

“I hope you catch them. And I hope you may understand why I cannot leave here to fight for Ashwin—Anscom’s deeds cannot go unpunished.”

Chapter

Thirty-Eight

ELANNA

Elanna was accustomed to eyes trailing after her when she walked through the corridors of Castle Sidra, but the sight of two StarSeers treading together through the castle made mouths openly drop.

Elanna forced herself not to scratch her head where an ill-placed pin held her hair atop her head. Tara had insisted that the two dress in finery this morn. The two golden-haired StarSeers, dressed in silk brocade—sky blue for Elanna, forest green for Tara—with jewels dangling from their necks and ears, caught the eye of each and every passerby. One servant carrying a tray nearly crashed into a four-foot vase.

When they reached the doors of the Royal Solar, Tara barely twitched a glance at the Warins guarding the door. The steward hurried down the hall toward them, his legs pumped in a ridiculous walk-run.

“Tell the sovereign that the StarSeers are here for an audience.” Tara’s voice left nothing of her authority to the imagination.

“M’lady,” the steward stuttered.

“Do you oft keep important guests waiting, sir?”

A gulp escaped the steward. “I beg you. One moment.” Heopened the door, slipped in, and closed it behind him, but not before they heard the shouts of the sovereign. Words most unroyal uttered from King Rian’s mouth.

A moment later, the steward, face red, exited the room. “His Majesty shall see you now, m’lady.”

Tara inclined her head, and the two sauntered into the room.

“Lady Tara, First StarSeer!” The sovereign’s voice had turned from roar to purr. “How marvelous to see you. ’Tis been years. Since?—”

“Since before the war, Your Majesty.”

“Aye.” King Rian gritted his teeth, eyeing Chancellor Griffith and two other councilors, who stood in the corner. “Aye. Before the war. I must say, one StarSeer coming to Asalle is most unusual. Two is extraordinary.”

Tara gave a close-lipped smile and curtsied. “And we are honored by your gracious hospitality. StarSeers do not oft travel, so ’tis extraordinary circumstances, indeed, that we are here.”

Silence sat in the room.

“Might we have a word in private, Your Majesty?” Tara did not so much as glance at the other men.

“Straight to it, then.” The sovereign sat in his chair. “Anything you have to say, you may speak in front of my trusted council.”

Tara gave them a sideways glance as if noticing some distasteful sculpture. “’Twould be better to speak to Your Majesty alone, as the bond is between sovereign and StarSeers alone, but as you say.”

King Rian gestured his hand, and Elanna and Tara sat.

“Your Majesty, where is your son?” Tara asked.

The sovereign inhaled, and Elanna wondered how long his temper would be intact. “He is within.”

“Ah, so you are not, in essence, holding the heir to the throne, your only son, in his rooms against his will.”

“What His Majesty chooses to do or not do is not your concern, m’lady,” one of the council members, a balding man wearing thick glasses, said.

“That will be all, Roger,” King Rian said.