Page 34 of Keeper of the Word

“Aye, m’lord,” Gus said and disappeared with Barrett and the horses into the rainy night.

His hand on the door, Tolvar eyed Elanna. “Remember your story.”

“Aye, I’m not daft. Though I do not know why you insist it matters, Sir Tolvar. Who would harm a StarSeer?”

Both he and Joss shushed her mightily.

“As I said in Karutown, I do not think anyone would, but I haven’t managed to escape enough ordeals to fill a tome by not employing caution.”

“You know they can sense it?” Elanna wiped rainwater off her face. “As you did when we met. And those two nights ago when no one could cease staring at me. I cannot hide it.”

Tolvar glared. “Try.”

They entered the inn.

’Twas a small inn, furnished more simply than where they’d stayed in Karutown. It consisted of a half-dozen round tables with wooden stools surrounding each. The room was half full, and most of the patrons sat near a large fireplace crackling on the other end. A few men glimpsed up and surveyed her, Tolvar, and Joss, standing at the entrance still hooded, before returning to their cups.

Elanna examined the room, hoping to find Hux, but he wasn’t there. The Draggy Hollow was the last rendezvous place that’d been prearranged. Her heart sank to think she may have been his demise.

Mayhap he shall still turn up.

The innkeep came forward and spoke to Tolvar, offering them two rooms and supper. Tolvar and Joss exchanged glances. They’d hoped for at least three rooms but ’twas better than the one they’d shared in Karutown.

“No matter,” Tolvar said to Joss. “Two of us will stand guard at all times.”

The innkeep directed them to a rack of pegs on which to hang their dripping cloaks, then to a table. Shortly after, he brought over a drying cloth to share amongst them and three pints of ale. Tolvar pushed his away and asked the innkeep to bring him dew tea instead.

“Dew tea?” the innkeep raised an eyebrow. “Are you certain, sir knight?”

“Quite certain,” Tolvar said, then turned to Elanna. “For you, too?”

Elanna had admitted in Karutown she’d never had a drink of liquor before. Gus had given a slight snicker, but Tolvar only nodded and ordered dew tea for her and himself. Elanna wassurprised that the famed knight did not indulge himself. Although, what did she know?

She studied the amber liquid in front of her. StarSeers were not exactly forbidden to drink liquor but abstained as a habit to keep their heads clear.

Elanna nodded to the waiting innkeep.

“I’ll see if I can round up some herbs,” the innkeep said, his shoulders sagged as he hurried off.

Gus and Barrett joined them. A barmaid brought over seasoned quail and soupy-looking roots.

Elanna slicked back the wet pieces of hair that had come loose from her plait. Tolvar had insisted she braid her hair so as to decrease the stares. It felt strange pulled back and not hanging down to her waist, but she complied. They were certain the Order of Siria pursued them. Still, Tolvar needed to give up this tiring idea that ’twas her hair drawing attention and not simply her starlit essence.

So far, thank the stars, no one here paid them heed.

Elanna found being around so much noise jarring. Aura Hall was a solemn, quiet place. She scanned the room, wondering what card game was being played at a nearby table. A crash from the other side of the room—making Tolvar and his knights tense—caused several men to erupt in laughter. A few choice curse words were belted out in return.

Joss, Barrett, and Gus swapped stories, cheeks growing rosy and laughter growing louder as they emptied their second cups. Tolvar sat sipping his tea in silence, eyeing the room nonchalantly. Elanna knew from her observation of Tolvar over the past week that he had memorized every face in the room, could tell the instant someone left, which men were locals, and which were travelers.

The Wolf is a man of observation.

“Oi,” a voice called. A scruffy, short man stood at their table, his plump belly bumping into Joss. “I say. You look familiar. Do I know you?”

At first, Elanna was certain he spoke to her. That he’drecognized her as a StarSeer. Her second inclination was he spoke to Tolvar.

In Karutown, three people had approached Tolvar, recognizing the famed knight who sat amongst them, but couldn’t place his face. Elanna had smirked, wondering about their reaction if they discovered not only the famous Wolf but also their new earl in their midst.

Not to mention, they know not that a StarSeer sits amongst them,she had thought.