Page 80 of To Touch A Silent Fury

Foxlin nodded. “You and I both. I didn’t realise they rode them.”

“I don’t think they do. As a rule, anyway.”

Foxlin laughed. “I think it would be hard to find a Soundlander further from the rule than that one.”

I smirked, happy the conversation was on surer footing again. “You say that as if you admire her.”

“And you don’t?” he asked. “Those dragon-blue eyes are something else.”

“You’re only saying that because you’re starved of female company,” I replied, my smile widening. “I’ve got an errand to attend to. Go make yourself busy.”

“Fine,” he agreed with a grumble. “Let’s get back home, and then I’ll let you know if I still think the Euphon girl isn’t the prettiest thing I’ve seen in years.”

I lifted my hands, stepping back away from him. “I’ll be sure to ask you, but as I said, there’s been no competition for that title.”

He shook his head. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Lang. You’re pretty, too.”

I chuckled, walking away from him and down the wooden stairs. As soon as I was out of his sight, my laughter died. Foxlin was my closest friend, and I trusted him with my life, and yet I didn’t like how he’d nearly seen through me. If he could tell from my face that something was awry, I would have to be much more careful. There were vipers where we were going, and they would be looking for any weakness.

I moved past the meal hall and around to the cooks at its back. Those who remained tended to a stew and kneaded bread.

A man with flour on his red face yelped as I came into view. He ducked down in the worst bow I’d ever seen, nearly hitting his head on his own worktop, and yelled at his younger apprentice, who quickly ducked into a much better bow.

“Hullo, Your Grace,” he said, before coughing into his elbow. “What can I do for you?”

“Have you been feeding our guest?”

The man nodded and sniffed, pointing at the younger one, who looked barely old enough to enlist. At least he’d been given one of the safest roles in the barracks. “Of course, Your Grace. The boy, Raingefort, has been leaving food with her. And some for her… for the creature, too.”

I nodded, and addressed the boy. “How does she seem?”

“Seem, sir?” he echoed, his voice high in its confusion.

“Is she eating? Speaking?” I asked.

“She says thank you when I take it in, Your Grace. And the food is gone when I come back for the next.”

“Good, good,” I replied, and rolled my shoulders. There was nothing to be concerned about, then. I nodded to them both again, and turned from the kitchen. The woman was fine.

“She is abed, though,” he said, almost as an afterthought.

I turned back.

“With respect, boy,” the older man said loudly, cuffing his head.

Raingefort flinched. “Sorry, Your Grace.”

“Abed? Always?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yes. Always lying down.” His cheeks flushed. “Her leg in the air.”

“I see,” I responded impassively. “Thank you for your report.”

He straightened with a proud look. “Of course, Your Grace. I will report to you after I bring her each meal, should you like.”

I smiled and shook my head. “That won’t be necessary, Raingefort. You’ve done well.”

He puffed up as I turned away. It was obscene that after a year with only a few hundred men, there were still many I did not know by face or name. I had tried, at the start. Now, it seemed I only learned a man’s name when I had to write back to his family of his death.