Page 8 of Keeper of the Word

A wise idea.

’Twas said of the Wolf that he held his tongue for no one, and this afternoon, Tolvar was certain that would have included a sovereign.

So far,the week as the sovereign’s honored guest had been as dull as his return to Thorin Court. However, Tolvar tried to convince himself that home was not dull; he simply wasn’t yet reaccustomed to it. When he left Asalle, he’d return and…stars, this was his new life now.

There’d been an endless schedule of feasts, a ball, even a pompous festival called “Festival of the Wolf.” Stars. The only interesting event Tolvar had taken part in so far was a miniature tournament in which the sovereign had arranged for Tolvar to compete against a half-dozen knights from surrounding provinces. A knight from Elendura had been his onlyrealcompetition, and even he’d been taken down quickly. At least Tolvar had received some exercise.

And all the gossip here at court. Topics only fit for a ladies’ sewing circle. ’Twas tedious and repetitive. The only interesting topic—and Tolvar could hardly call it engrossing—was the gossip surrounding Prince Dashiell, whose betrothal had finally been named, a daughter of a noble in Grenden.

Aye, naught to do but feast and listen to tittle-tattle and count down the days until King Rian gave permission to leave.

The Wolf was not one for sitting idle.

Hux, on the other hand, seemed to be having a marvelous time. He was a favorite of both women and men, and Tolvar rolled his eyes every time Hux left the Great Hall in the evening with a new conquest. Even King Rian was plainly amused by Hux.

If he only knew he hosted a criminal.Tolvar, at least, enjoyed that thought.

“Wherever did you find him?” King Rian chuckled one evening as they observed Hux dancing with not one but three ladies at once.

“In a battle in which I captured and almost killed him.”

King Rian and others within earshot laughed, assuming Tolvar spoke in jest.

’Twas late. Tolvar had not sneaked up to the sovereign’s Priva as much as he would have liked, and he very much wanted a moment’s peace.

“With Your Majesty's permission, I’ll say good night,” Tolvar said, standing.

“Already?” said a young woman with deep blue eyes. They’d clung to Tolvar for the last two nights. “I hoped I might hear another of your tales, Lord Tolvar.”

“Mayhap another time.”

Tolvar was halfway across the Great Hall, his eyes trained on the side entrance in which he could escape, when a servant burst through the main doors.

“Your Majesty! An urgent message from Ashwin!”

The crowds quieted.

Tolvar furrowed his brow and returned to the dais, where the sovereign stood with a hand extended to receive the message.

Messages from the StarSeers were rare but always of the utmost importance. The Five did not play with their power.

A crowd gathered around King Rian as he silently read the note. When he gazed up from it, he was pale.

“Send for my council at once. And Lord Tolvar, I instruct you to join us. This concerns you, also.”

Chapter

Five

SOMEWHERE IN THE GREENWOOD FOREST IN THE PROVINCE OF GREENWOOD: ELANNA

Elanna had lost count of the days she’d stumbled around the Greenwood Forest. ’Twas difficult to read the changing moons through the canopy of high branches. But it had been at least a fortnight, because she sensed the full Dew Moon rise a few hours ago. StarSeers did not worship the goddesses of the moons but did regard them in high esteem. They knew their worth to the ancient stars. The Dew Moon had spread the blossoms of renewal throughout Tasia. The Dew Moon would command the spring rains to bless the crops. Aye, the StarSeers understood their worth.

Elanna had ridden Rasa north from the Dasei Moors into Greenwood province guided by the stars. She knew not why. Even a fortnight later, half-starved, she questioned it not. The forest could provide when necessary. Berries, wild onions or mushrooms, even fruit from a peculiar dew fruit tree that should not be able to thrive amongst these dense trees. Her blonde hair was a snarled mess. The grime layering her skin appeared even more ashen in this dark.

She steered her thoughts away from Ashwin and what her StarSeer sisters, Tara, Casta, and Kyrie, must be feeling. These many nights separated. The threads of starlight that connected the Fiveheld taut, and Elanna knew they sensed the stretched bond, too—even little Maristel, though she wouldn’t yet understand what it was—pulling and pulling and pulling as she continued to evade her home. The stars bade her here, and though she understood naught of why she wandered through these dank woods, Elanna would never question their command. So, she could not spare thoughts on her StarSeer sisters.

With the determined pale light of the Dew Moon bespeckling these woods, Elanna found the splashes of light from the stars and stood waiting. Waiting to remember. Remember something important.