Page 28 of Keeper of the Word

Elanna dropped to her knees, despondent. Tolvar had a sense that she’d never been denied so. But if she had Seen doom, the other priestesses would, too, in time. Together, the Five would tell King Rian what to do. ’Tis what had always been. Tradition.

He strode away without another word and returned to the castle’s main entrance. The blood throbbed in his neck. Ashwin was a place dry of liquor. A good thing, too. Tolvar knew he could down a whole barrel at present.

Tomorrow morning. This place will be at your back.

Tolvar was rarely so distracted that he couldn’t detect when something was off. And when he halted, he surveyed straight away what it was.

Hux.

Hux lurked behind some hedges before entering a side door. Tolvar had noticed the door prior and had only ever observed Order knights enter it.

Stars.

Tolvar knew it. HeknewHux was not to be trusted. The possible repercussions of his own negligence knocked into him like a battering ram. Tolvar had left Hux to his own devices forfourdays. A number of rotten schemes raced through Tolvar’s mind. Damn Hux, and damn Ghlee for coercing Tolvar into bringing him here, and damn himself for consenting.

Tolvar marched to the side door, not caring about stealth. But when he opened it, his knight’s training took over, and he softly pinched it closed behind him. Inside was a flight of curved stairs, a torch at the top offering the only light. Tolvar stood, listening for movement down below.

Dagger or no dagger?

If he withdrew it, he’d be much more apt to use it. He settled on using his fists if need be and silently descended the stairs. When he reached the curve, he stalled, waiting to hear Hux’s movement.

Nothing.

Down he went, his footsteps making nary a sound.

At the bottom, another torch lit a small corridor with two doors in front of him. Was he to guess?

Curse that Ravyn!

He couldn’t detect any dust on the floor nor any clue that one door had been opened more recently than the other. Tolvar opened the door on the right and peered inside. Through the torchlight, he could faintly see another corridor long enough that he couldn’t make out the end. ’Twas silent.

Tolvar gingerly closed that door and turned to open the other door.

He was seized from behind and placed in a headlock. A hand covered his mouth.

Tolvar reached for the dagger at his side but found his scabbard empty.

He struggled against his captor, who didn’t seem to be putting up much effort himself.

Then he recognized Hux’s boots.

“Shhh.” Hux whispered in Tolvar’s ear, “I shall let go. Be agood wolf and be quiet.” He released Tolvar, who immediately shoved Hux with so much force he struck the stone wall behind him.

Hux stifled his groan. “I suppose I deserved that,” Hux whispered. “But I needed to prevent you from opening the other door. ’Tis crawling with knights.”

“You could have just tapped me,” Tolvar whispered, if his tone could be called that. “What are you doing down here, blighter?”

“Compliments later, Lord Wolf, we have greater matters to attend to now.” Hux opened the door on the right and slipped inside. “Oh. Here is your dagger. I took the liberty of plucking it while you opened the door. We want to stray from accidents.”

“Everything about you is an accident. I am not trespassing in there.”

“Suit yourself, but then you’ll never receive the delicious secret I’ve uncovered.” And with that, Hux proceeded down the blackened corridor.

The Wolf was not one for slinking about.

He sighed and followed Hux.

At the end of the corridor was a small room in which Hux stood in its center next to a desk. He held a single candle. The frail light flickered, and Tolvar made a futile attempt to discern what else was in the room. It appeared to be lined with shelves covered in scrolls of parchment.