Page 9 of Keeper of the Word

A man on a battlefield, in a war camp, waiting to die with one last breath of hope before welcoming doom.

She could See him. Waiting. And Elanna wondered if she could save him. She Saw not his past, only his future, but the scars were evident, and his eyes were melancholy.

Elanna needed to remember this man because they were each other’s destiny.

Where to find him?

’Twas more than the eyes that she needed to remember.

He is important to some other cause, too. Something that occurred far away.

“Rasa,” Elanna whispered to her stallion, who cocked an ear at his mistress and snorted.

Like an obedient hound, the roan beast came to stand next to her, nudging her with his muzzle.

“A path is being carved for the Wolf. I See his fortune.”

Chapter

Six

CHAPTER SIX ASHWIN CITY, CAPITAL OF ASHWIN AND HOME OF THE FIVE STARSEERS: TOLVAR

Only two factors made Tolvar sit here—his oaths as a knight and King Rian’s command.

At least here, Tolvar had not yet been made to bow. At least here, he wasn’t gawked at quite so frequently. At least here, Tolvar could be certain that those he spoke to kept no agenda of their own. The citizens of Ashwin served the Five. The amount of faith in the city was palpable. Sloane would have loved it.

Tolvar had been in Ashwin for only an afternoon, but he was already more comfortable here at Aura Hall than he’d been at Castle Sidra. He, Hux, and his three knights had traveled twelve days to get here from Asalle, riding at a neck-breaking speed. To save time, they’d cut through the Greenwood Forest—a place he’d traveled through dozens of times—but felt strange and abnormal for some reason, mayhap due to the border skirmish that’d happened weeks ago? He’d received no news from Conall or Bernwald since leaving Thorin Court, but there was undoubtedly something off about the place. Tolvar had continually scanned the vicinity as if they were watched.

Mayhap, when he left Ashwin, he’d seek the Earl of Greenwood in his city of Cheval.

“Joss, will you stop your infernal pacing?” Tolvar barked at her.

“Apologies, m’lord.” The dame immediately stood at attention.

“You needn’t stand there as if you await inspection. Sit down.”

Joss reddened but sat.

Again, Tolvar’s curiosity about his summons to Ashwin made him irritable. The message to King Rian stated, “The fourth StarSeer is in need of a knight’s help. We ask for the one they call the Wolf.”

He would not admit the message had driven a shuddering sensation down his spine.

But he was here, and he needn’t consider whether or not he would take on whatever was requested of him. The Wolf was pledged to his knight’s duty first and foremost.

They had waited in this small hall or reception space or whatever this room was for an hour. The room was trimmed in ivory and gold, making the room incredibly bright in the midafternoon sunlight. Food and some sort of tea had been brought in upon their arrival, but other than the servants who came in to collect the remnants of their meal, they hadn’t encountered anyone of importance since they arrived.

Hux had his eyes closed as he lounged in a chair. Tolvar did not like that he’d brought Hux to this sacred place, but there was naught else to do with him. Miraculously, the Ravyn had been not only quick to help with camp and whatnot as they had traveled but had fallen in line silently behind Tolvar upon entering Ashwin and had yet to utter a word. Tolvar was unaware Hux could be so quiet.

The doors to the room opened, and through them entered a tall woman, hair pulled back and covered.

“My ladies apologize for the delay, Lord Tolvar.” She curtsied. “They’ve been in prayer for the past four hours. They’ve paused for mealtime, and Lady Tara has requested your presence before they resume prayer.”

“Four hours?” Hux muttered in the background. “This place is certain to be a delight.”

Joss elbowed him.

The woman, probably Aura Hall’s stewardess, pursed her lips, her brows drawn together.