Page 13 of Keeper of the Word (The Unsung and the Wolf Duology #2)

Chapter

Eleven

TOLVAR

T here was a sense of relief now that Elanna had returned to Ashwin, where she belonged.

Last night, when they had trotted through Ashwin’s ivory gates, which sparkled in the Dew Moon’s waning light complemented by the stars, Elanna’s back had been as straight as an arrow.

They’d purposefully waited until close to midnight to arrive.

Lady Tara had mentioned ’twas best that the whole of the city did not observe the return of the wayward.

Only the sentinels and a few late-night passersby witnessed Elanna return, her blonde hair appearing as though lit.

Ladies Tara, Casta, and Kyrie stood at the entrance of Aura Hall with a half-dozen servants and, to Tolvar’s surprise, a dozen knights, their uniforms black with gold stitching, revealing them to be from the Order of Siria.

’Twas not entirely odd they should be here.

The Order of Siria was, after all, the ancient guard of the StarSeers.

But Tolvar was certain none had been in Ashwin upon his first arrival.

Lady Tara had sent for them since Tolvar had left.

Mayhap it was a coincidence. But the stern faces of the knights fixed on Elanna, who was doing her best to ignore their expressions, alerted something inside of Tolvar—an instinct that had served the Wolf well in the last decade as a knight.

Upon dismounting, ’twas clear the knights weren’t the only ones posed to discipline Elanna. Lady Tara’s face was severe, to say the least.

Elanna nodded to each of her sisters in turn before locking eyes with Tara.

“I’ve returned.” Elanna’s voice was different here and exuded fortitude. Had there been doubt about Elanna’s ethereal presence before, the woman standing like a pillar put any misgivings to rest. “As you Saw, Tara.”

Lady Tara was a pillar herself. “Indeed. Come. We have much to discuss, Elanna. Bid your saviors farewell. They leave on the morrow.”

“On the contrary,” Elanna said, her voice rich with command. “I have invited my champions as guests of Ashwin for the next five days. I would that they recover before their journey home.”

Casta softened her solemn expression. Kyrie cocked an eyebrow.

Tara imparted a slight smile. “I believe the Earl of Askella has no need of rest. He is the Wolf, and his homeland is mere days from here.”

“The invitation has already been extended and accepted.”

Tolvar had always been pleased with the glare the Wolf could deliver. Tara and Elanna’s glares at each other schooled him in the way of silent assault.

“Very well. They are most welcome here, then.” Lady Tara transformed herself into a smiling diplomat. “M’lord, please follow our stewardess. She’ll see you comfortably settled.” As they fell in line behind the stewardess, Tolvar gave Elanna a last backward glance.

She’d appeared terrified.

But now, the following evening, as he strolled alone through the Gardens of Aura’s Lee under the half-moon, Tolvar knew his sense of relief was more than delivering Elanna safely back to Ashwin. He could be rid of this small adventure serving at the convenience of StarSeers.

When Elanna had spoken of King Rian’s anger toward the StarSeers after Pamella’s death, it only reminded Tolvar of how the sovereign echoed his own anger that he’d managed to tamp down all these years.

Bah. His steps paused.

There was no sense in stirring up emotions that were left well enough alone.

The goddess of the Falling Leaves Moon had told him his father was at peace. Had she not?

Stars, was he genuinely considering belief in the moon goddesses? But Sloane had believed.

What did he believe in? Tolvar found a small star in the sky. “Sloane,” he uttered, challenging himself to not search for the moon cuff in his pocket. He continued on the hedge-lined path.

Aye. Relieved is what Tolvar felt. Back to Thorin Court in four days. There, he could begin his duties as the Earl of Askella. Follow in his father’s footsteps.

And wallow in your misery in peace.

Tolvar scanned the darkened gardens. He preferred this place at night. The flowers and foliage were wiped clean of their colors. Grey and dark grey. Fitting.

Movement caught his eye: a woman across some hedges. At first, he mistook her for Elanna. He hadn’t encountered her since last night. He strode closer. ’Twas not Elanna. The woman was much too short, and the bun atop her head gave her away as Kyrie, the StarSeer who had little acknowledged Tolvar.

He retreated, but her voice called, “Sir Tolvar, walk with me.”

Stars. He wanted her company like he wanted a kick in the head from Valko. But he was a guest here and still at their command.

Four more days.

“You needn’t look upon me like a banshee of the Hoarfrost Moon. I would speak to you.”

Stars almighty .

Tolvar stepped over the hedge that separated them and stood next to her. She kept her eyes above them and began to tread toward the outer wall that eclipsed them in shadow.

“I sense you do not pray to the stars, Sir Tolvar.”

Tolvar swallowed his notion to curse. “Nay, Lady Kyrie. I do not find use in praying.”

“And yet you found the use of Aura Hall’s Priva this eve.”

A growl rumbled out of Tolvar. He should have known he’d be spied on at all times here. “I was not praying, m’lady.”

“Aye.” Kyrie faced him. “You grieve. You do not need to be a StarSeer to know that. For whom?”

Her eyes were unblinking. Fervent.

Four more days.

“Many people, in truth,” Tolvar said, taking a sidestep from her. They continued their stroll.

“Little Maristel does not know it—she is far too young—but she grieves as well. Her parents died of the Cors fever.”

“I was unaware the Cors fever was currently in these parts.”

“’Tis not. Maristel is from Grenden.”

Tolvar nodded, glad to hear the plague was far from here. He noted that he’d have to be careful with Grendenian merchants.

“Grief is quite a weight to carry. Even when we think we may surface from under its grip, it drowns us anew.”

Tolvar had a suspicion that Maristel was not the only StarSeer who grieved. Kyrie’s hand touched his forearm.

“You will be a believer before this is all through, Sir Tolvar. Elanna has Seen it. And last night, I Saw something in you as well.”

Tolvar’s face heated. He did not like these women speaking to him like a tale’s character.

“Where is Elanna? She spoke of…” Tolvar glanced at Kyrie’s hand on his arm. He prickled in irritation; he did want to involve himself. “Doom. She is adamant about the visions she has foreSeen, though she did not share much with me.”

Because you did not allow her.

“She requested you to take her to Asalle. ”

Tolvar gritted his teeth before answering. “Aye.”

“And you did not take her?”

He studied Kyrie, who scrutinized him in return. “You commanded me to bring her here.”

“Hmm,” Kyrie muttered and continued walking.

Neither spoke for a time. Kyrie’s eyes never moved from the sky, though she had no trouble following Tolvar’s steps.

She stepped over rocks and roots without shuffling her feet.

The garden seemed to close in around them as they drew nearer to the outer wall.

There were fewer torches here, and the flowers were painted darker grey and black.

It occurred to Tolvar that no sentinels were posted along the battlements of the wall. It was utterly deserted.

“The stars forewarn us when we require added protection on the walls,” Kyrie said softly, breaking the quiet.

“StarSeers need comfort in their vigil of the stars.” Through an arched trellis, they came to a square patch of grass surrounded by a tall hedge.

“Ah, this is my place this eve.” Kyrie released Tolvar’s forearm, the absence of her touch palpable, and knelt on the grass.

She did not instruct Tolvar, but curled her fingers together in a knot, extended her arms in front of her, and lifted her gaze.

She may as well have turned to stone for as still as she became.

Tolvar stood in the archway, observing. By and by, his toes and fingers warmed. He flexed his fists, the warmth giving way to a tingling sensation.

He did not know how long he stood there, but as the time grew, so, too, did his sense of protectiveness of Kyrie. His knight’s training took over, and the lightest flutter of wind and tiniest chirp of an insect was detected.

After a time, Kyrie’s arms suddenly dropped to the ground, and she folded herself in half at the waist, her head resting on her knees. Her breath heaved.

“Lady Kyrie?” Tolvar knelt beside her, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, taking in any surrounding sound or movement that might feel off .

“I am well, Sir Tolvar,” Kyrie whispered, her words deliberate. “Thank you for being my sentry. You performed well.”

Tolvar wasn’t certain what to make of that remark but was satisfied that Kyrie’s voice grew stronger.

She lifted her head and rested her palms on her knees.

She was about to speak when footsteps behind them drew their attention.

Tolvar’s head cocked. Two? Nay, three people.

Men, judging by their gait. They paused and shushed each other over what sounded like someone rifling through a bag.

Hidden here, Tolvar wondered if Kyrie would stand and make their presence known. Instead, she placed her finger to her lips.

“You have finally received word?” a male voice split the night.

“Aye, from Goodsell himself,” another voice returned.

Goodsell? Commander Goodsell was the head of the Order of Siria.

The tales of his knight’s career were legendary.

Goodsell the Good, he’d been coined. A hero of the Seven Leagues War.

A defender supreme of the Capella Realm.

And now, the most important member of the Order, posted these past two decades in Garreth, the northernmost city of Ashwin.

So, we spy on Order knights? Based on Tolvar’s recent ordeal in Deogol’s Dara Keep, he did not have a particular affinity for the Order of Siria, but hearing Commander Goodsell’s name made him want to declare his presence.

The Wolf was no stickybeak meddler. But Kyrie’s hand found his arm again.

Had she intended them to be here all along?

She could See the future, he supposed.

“And?” the first voice asked.

“’Tis what we speculated. Lady Tara is invoking the Lucien Law.”

“What’s that?” the third voice asked.

“Drake, I know you’re green, but honestly. The Lucien Law is the decree of guardianship over StarSeers.”

There was a pause in which Tolvar could only assume Drake was wearing an idiotic expression.

“It means that the Five shall each be given to a guardian who shall be bound to her by the stars. By the Lucien Oath. Her life shall become his life. They shall be their protectors at all times.” There was a pause. “And the StarSeers will not be able to be without them.”

“Meaning?” Drake said.

“Meaning,” the second voice was full of impatience—and rightly so, “one cannot flee again, first of all. Lady Tara told Goodsell ’tis the only way to keep them safe. She has Seen that the time has come for the need of guardians over the StarSeers.”

Before Tolvar could consider everything he heard, the first voice asked, “How long has it been since the Lucien Law was in force?”

“More than an age. Since the chimera fled to Vathnava, I think.”

Tolvar’s eyes widened at Kyrie, who nodded her confirmation. A thousand years ago.

“Stars, who do you think shall be chosen?” Drake asked. “I do not fancy myself worthy enough to be bound to a StarSeer.”

Tolvar rolled his eyes. That counts two of us.

“Who is to say? The stars decide, Lady Tara informed Goodsell. She told him to be prepared.”

The stars decide.

“One from the Order, though, I imagine?”

“The histories show no one who was not in the Order as a guardian.”

“Good. I, for one, shall be glad when the Wolf and his band have left.” Drake snorted. “Nonbeliever.”

“Agreed. Why Lady Tara sent for him to find Lady Elanna when that is our duty is beyond me.”

The three began predicting names as their footsteps trod off.

Tolvar and Kyrie were left alone.

“Did you know about this?” Tolvar asked.

“I Saw this moment yesterday.” She had a faraway gaze. If he detected her body language correctly, Kyrie did not favor this decree.

“The decree will change everything for us. ’Twill be impossible to leave Ashwin, that is for certain.

No matter what dooms we may See,” Kyrie said, her voice devoid of emotion.

“At least, after the guardian oaths are sworn. The oath to the stars is everlasting and unbreakable.” She stood as if it exuded a great deal of effort but, once erect, swung her shoulders back regally.

She made it to the archway before turning to face Tolvar.

“No matter. StarSeers are meant to See. To observe. We are not meant to act.”

She disappeared into the hedges.