Page 55 of Keeper of the Word

“Sir, we wish you no ill will, and we do not need to know the content of the messages, but we must know to whom and where they go.”

“M’lady, I am sworn to confidence. I’ve even sworn on the stars. You mustn’t ask me to break my vow.”

“These messages may bring ill fortune to Asalle,” Elanna said.

“Ill fortune?”

“Aye, I am here to ensure that does not happen.” She paused. “But I need your aid. At least swear that you shall send no more.”

Tolvar’s mouth dropped. The gruff ravenmaster’s expression appeared as though he were ready to eat raven droppings straight from Elanna’s hand if asked.

The ravenmaster seemed to regain himself a bit and placed his cap back on. “M’lady, I serve the House of Sidra. If the prince asks me to send a message, I cannot deny him.”

“Does the prince need to know if the message is sent?” Hux grinned.

This idea made the ravenmaster’s eyes widen to appear almost normal. He scratched the back of his neck. “Well, I…I suppose, he stammered. “Ill fortune, you say?”

Elanna nodded solemnly. At this moment, in this dim light, she appeared as Tolvar imagined a goddess of the stars might appear. That golden hair of hers was irritatingly distracting. Hux stared at her like he, too, would devour droppings for her. Stars.

“M’lady, I cannot break my vow and tell you about the past messages, but I will try to do as you say.”

Elanna dropped her hand from his forearm. Were her fingertips gleaming? Tolvar’s eyes focused back on the ravens, who studied them with intelligent curiosity.

“My thanks, sir.” Elanna smiled and turned to the stairs.

The ravenmaster gaped at nothing else until she had descended out of sight.

Back in the courtyard, Elanna paled. “I fear I need rest. I have asked too much of the stars this night. I will bid you all good night.”

“Joss, escort her to her chambers,” Tolvar said. He wasn’t going to allow Hux to do it. Not with the starstruck expression he still carried.

The two left.

“I should turn in, too, Lord Wolf, if you require nothing else from me.”

“Do not leave the castle, Hux.” Tolvar cast him a pointed stare.

“And why would you suggest I’d do such a thing? Besides, there are plenty of diversions to find here.” Hux’s eyes twinkled as he walked backward toward the outer bailey.

“Stars. Do not get us executed while we are here.”

Hux strode back to Tolvar. “Speaking of, would you actually have sold out that old man up there to the sovereign?”

“Sold out? That’s an amusing moral point of view from a Ravyn. Did you find yourself at home amongst those oily friends?”

Hux’s face blackened, and his hands turned to fists.

Tolvar put up a hand. “I am sorry. I should not have said that. And glad I am we had no need to find out.”

“Once and for all, hear me. I shall not betray you. I am not skulking about and designing ill deeds for you and your boring monarch.”

“I suppose I know that. I’m not a readily forgiving man.”

“Goddesses of the moon!” Hux threw his palm to his chest mockingly. “You jest! Peoplecanchange.”

Not all people.

The door to the main corridor opened, and out stepped Chancellor Griffith. Stars, was that man ever allowed to rest?