Page 15 of Keeper of the Word (The Unsung and the Wolf Duology #2)

“You certainly seem to believe in the stars’ creed upon your convenience.” Elanna stood, too. Stars, she was tall. “And I’m bound to no one yet. Help me save the realm, Tolvar. Mayhap the world.”

Aye, this felt all too familiar. He could not get wrapped up in this. The first year of his banishment, he’d been hunted like a thief. The second year, he’d hidden like one. The third year, he’d drunk so much he constantly felt like one.

Stars, he longed for a drink.

“When you do become bound to a guardian, ask him or her. You ask too much of me.”

Elanna dropped to her knees, despondent. Tolvar had a sense that she’d never been denied so. But if she had Seen doom, the other priestesses would, too, in time. Together, the Five would tell King Rian what to do. ’Tis what had always been. Tradition.

He strode away without another word and returned to the castle’s main entrance. The blood throbbed in his neck. Ashwin was a place dry of liquor. A good thing, too. Tolvar knew he could down a whole barrel at present.

Tomorrow morning. This place will be at your back.

Tolvar was rarely so distracted that he couldn’t detect when something was off. And when he halted, he surveyed straight away what it was.

Hux.

Hux lurked behind some hedges before entering a side door. Tolvar had noticed the door prior and had only ever observed Order knights enter it .

Stars.

Tolvar knew it. He knew Hux was not to be trusted.

The possible repercussions of his own negligence knocked into him like a battering ram.

Tolvar had left Hux to his own devices for four days.

A number of rotten schemes raced through Tolvar’s mind.

Damn Hux, and damn Ghlee for coercing Tolvar into bringing him here, and damn himself for consenting.

Tolvar marched to the side door, not caring about stealth. But when he opened it, his knight’s training took over, and he softly pinched it closed behind him. Inside was a flight of curved stairs, a torch at the top offering the only light. Tolvar stood, listening for movement down below.

Dagger or no dagger?

If he withdrew it, he’d be much more apt to use it. He settled on using his fists if need be and silently descended the stairs. When he reached the curve, he stalled, waiting to hear Hux’s movement.

Nothing.

Down he went, his footsteps making nary a sound.

At the bottom, another torch lit a small corridor with two doors in front of him. Was he to guess?

Curse that Ravyn!

He couldn’t detect any dust on the floor nor any clue that one door had been opened more recently than the other. Tolvar opened the door on the right and peered inside. Through the torchlight, he could faintly see another corridor long enough that he couldn’t make out the end. ’Twas silent.

Tolvar gingerly closed that door and turned to open the other door.

He was seized from behind and placed in a headlock. A hand covered his mouth.

Tolvar reached for the dagger at his side but found his scabbard empty.

He struggled against his captor, who didn’t seem to be putting up much effort himself.

Then he recognized Hux’s boots.

“Shhh.” Hux whispered in Tolvar’s ear, “I shall let go. Be a good wolf and be quiet.” He released Tolvar, who immediately shoved Hux with so much force he struck the stone wall behind him.

Hux stifled his groan. “I suppose I deserved that,” Hux whispered. “But I needed to prevent you from opening the other door. ’Tis crawling with knights.”

“You could have just tapped me,” Tolvar whispered, if his tone could be called that. “What are you doing down here, blighter?”

“Compliments later, Lord Wolf, we have greater matters to attend to now.” Hux opened the door on the right and slipped inside. “Oh. Here is your dagger. I took the liberty of plucking it while you opened the door. We want to stray from accidents.”

“Everything about you is an accident. I am not trespassing in there.”

“Suit yourself, but then you’ll never receive the delicious secret I’ve uncovered.” And with that, Hux proceeded down the blackened corridor.

The Wolf was not one for slinking about.

He sighed and followed Hux.

At the end of the corridor was a small room in which Hux stood in its center next to a desk. He held a single candle. The frail light flickered, and Tolvar made a futile attempt to discern what else was in the room. It appeared to be lined with shelves covered in scrolls of parchment.

“I know your thoughts,” Hux said, fishing through a pile of parchment on the desk in a manner that led Tolvar to presume he had a notion of what he searched for.

“How did Hux have the brilliance to find this place when he’s been out making merry all over Ashwin.

” He met Tolvar’s eyes. “In truth, I’ve been familiarizing myself with this dull excuse for a city.

At least, dull is what I thought at first. By the way, did you know there is no liquor in Ashwin? Pity.”

“Will you just tell me what in stars’ shadow we are doing in here?”

“Patience, Lord Wolf.” His attention turned back to the parchments. “Ah-ha!” He held what appeared to be a letter. “You know, ’ tis surprisingly easy to intercept messages here. You’d think this place would be as safeguarded as the maidenhood of an earl’s daughter.”

Oh stars! Hux had read messages coming into Ashwin? They’d be headless by morning.

Hux handed Tolvar the letter and stepped closer so Tolvar could read in the candlelight. Tolvar read the valediction first. ’Twas from Commander Goodsell. Stars.

He scanned the letter. The beginning, it appeared, was addressed to someone named Nathel, but the end, addressed to Lady Tara, caught Tolvar’s eye. It read:

… You’ve posed an excellent idea, m’lady, as always.

Your Sight, as we’ll say, will keep the Five safe.

In time, the others will understand and will grow accustomed to guardianship.

I do not think there is need to worry that the stars have not yet commanded the Law.

Your word is held in the highest regard, and we both know tis for the Five’s safety you do this.

Fear no more. We shall finally be together soon.

With my fervent love, Goodsell

Tolvar’s first impression was about Goodsell’s farewell.

Fervent love? ’Twas well known that it was strictly impermissible for StarSeers to take romantic companionship.

If he remembered correctly, ’twas one theory why the Lucien Law had been disbanded centuries ago.

Too easy to find fondness, and with that, too easy to find laxity.

Tolvar read over the letter again. Did Goodsell’s words mean what he thought they did?

As if reading his thoughts, Hux spoke, “’Twould seem the StarSeers do not always follow the stars.” His smile was enormous.

“Why is this letter here and not in Lady Tara’s possession?”

Hux shrugged. “But are you not gladdened it is? ’twas impossible for me to get into the private quarters of the ladies of this household. Why would no one trust this honest face?”

Tolvar muttered profanities under his breath.

And if the stars had not commanded the Lucien Law, was Lady Tara to be trusted that she had not Seen anything regarding the dooms that Elanna Saw?

Hux snickered and slapped a hand on his thigh.

“What?”

“I know that look. Mayhap we shall have some excitement, after all?”

“This shall be anything but exciting. Even without the Lucien Law, removing Elanna from Ashwin has consequences.”

“Removing? Marvelous! This is better than I expected. Mayhap I can rebuild a reputation in the Capella Realm. What we need is a new title for our band, mayhap?”

“What we need is a plan. Let us find Joss and the others.”