Page 106 of Keeper of the Word

“And now we know what ‘keeper of the word’ means.”

Chapter

Thirty-Nine

TOLVAR

The impending nightfall be damned, Tolvar could no longer wait to hear if Anscom would answer his call to aid Ashwin. He took three men and rode to Anscom’s camp by way of one short detour. He wanted the satisfaction that Kyrie’s seal held against the crack. The overhead trees made the last of evening’s light impossible, but he’d brought with them two lanterns.

The only detection that Tolvar could make that the crack had ever been there was an absence of any foliage or pebbles along where the split had gouged the ground. ’Twas as if someone had taken a spade and dragged it in a jagged line over the dirt. Appeased that naught else appeared disturbed, they continued on their way to Anscom’s camp.

This time, theywerehalted along the perimeter.

“What is it now, Lord Tolvar?” Sir Jenz asked, coming out of the shadows.

“Tell Turas we must speak. I shall wait,” Tolvar said, as he and his men dismounted. Valko nudged him as if in comfort. Tolvar absently stroked his neck. These knights with him were adequate, but they weren’t Ghlee or even Gus.

Gus.Tolvar’s stomach knotted again.

They stood at the edge of the trees as Sir Jenz sauntered off. The night’s warm breeze indicated midsummer. The prince’s betrothal ceremony was nigh, as was his wedding. Whatever happened here with Turas and Greenwood, ’twas time that Tolvar returned to Asalle. He’d already conceded to sending his army without him. There was no contemplating what might have been. As Kyrie had said, the future was ahead of him. As soon as the prince’s marriage was sealed, he would find and ensure that Crevan was brought to justice.

Ashwin had a sizeable army. Between theirs and Tolvar’s, the city would be safe. Even if Turas gave the same answer as Greenwood. The ancient city had never been breached. Although Tolvar wondered if it had ever been attacked.

Crevan was truly mad.

If darkness cannot be raised, then I shall bring down the light.

Madness.

Herry shifted onto a twig; it snapped. The quartet went for their swords. These three were on the ready. That was good, Tolvar nodded to himself.

Groups of knights sat around cookfires or at a few wooden tables eating their evening meal. Venison, by the gamey smell of it.

Bernwald’s favorite, if Tolvar’s memory served him correctly. His jaw set as he adjusted his stance and focused on the direction of Turas’s tent. Bernwald had still not reappeared this afternoon. When Tolvar had asked more questions about his disappearance, Timth finally voiced his concern that Sir Bernwald hadn’t behaved normally since he returned from Trysinmar’s fire. When Tolvar had pressed, Lerl had agreed and mentioned their commander had not slept nor even sat still.

Guilt?

Bernwald had been his father’s most trusted knight. He’d fought and been wounded in the attack on Thorin Court. ’Twas unthinkable he could be disloyal now. That would make no sense.

“Lord Turas will see you now, m’lord,” Sir Jenz said.

Tolvar handed Valko’s reins to Herry and followed Sir Jenz.

In Turas’s tent, Tolvar was offered a seat, followed by a cup of wine, which he waved away. Water was placed before him instead. A few moments’ exchange of mindless pleasantries, however, had him glancing at the full wine goblet in the corner.

“Will you truly not send men to Ashwin?” Tolvar asked.

“Tolvar, we have already discussed my thoughts on you inserting yourself in my affairs.” Turas swallowed the contents of his goblet. “Ashwin can hold their own, surely. Besides, you sent your army. Do you not trust in their skill?”

Tolvar frowned. “Aye. But we are all bound to the StarSeers.”

“Speaking of,” Turas said, taking a handful of dried dew fruit from a bowl and chuckling to himself. “Sir Jenz and his men certainly have been preoccupied with that StarSeer.”

“We are fortunate she answeredourcall,” Tolvar said, turning away from Turas’s open-mouthed chewing.

“Indeed,” he replied, plainly missing Tolvar’s dig.

“Do you not think we should alert Greenwood that the crack has been sealed?” Tolvar said, studying his cup of water as if he might will it into becoming ale. “’Twas a danger to everyone.”