Chapter 16
Something wet tickled the folds of his ear and he lazily brushed it away without opening his eyes. But it was a persistent something and as soon as he had settled again it was back. Will muttered something not so nice and the wet was followed by a cool rush of air as a laugh washed over him.
"Such language, sorcerer. I thought I had better influence on you than that."
Will sighed and rolled over on his back to give the prince a glare, but all he managed was to receive a kiss and how can you glare at someone that greets you in such a pleasant manner?
"What time is it?" Will wondered and hid a yawn behind his hand.
"Not even eight yet, but I thought you'd like to eat and perhaps wash before the seamstress arrives."
Will sat up and looked at the prince as he went over to the table and the tray with breakfast. He was already dressed in a simple pale green tunic and dark breeches, and his hair had been braided. Will wondered if Kell had done it himself or if his manservant had helped him. Will also wondered if he would be allowed to do it for Kell sometime. Then he realized what the prince had just said.
"Seamstress? What for?" He looked around for his clothes and saw them on one of the chairs by the table.
Kell poured two cups of tea and grabbed a piece of newly baked bread before he leaned back in his chair. "I thought perhaps you'd like some new clothes and she's the best seamstress in Adeban." He gave Will a contemplative look. "I think green or dark brown would suit you best."
Will got out of bed and marched over to his clothes as he absently adjusted his smallclothes. "I don't need you to buy me clothes, my prince," he informed, a bit annoyed at the presumption.
"Consider it a gift, then." Kell gestured for Will to sit. "And you could always repay me later if it would make you feel better."
Will pulled on his shirt and breeches before sitting down. "I should get back to the keep," he said sullenly and took a mouthful of bread and jam.
"Why? Then I'd only have to send for you when she gets here."
"I have tunics in my room there."
"Stubborn wizard," Kell muttered. "Let me gift you with a damned tunic just this once, Will. I have a feeling you will earn it if you insist on this caring for the tiger business. And besides, if you're to become my personal guard you should at least have some decent clothes, you can't run around in your grays all the time."
Will gave him a half-hearted glare but didn't argue. He admitted that at times it would be wise to conceal the fact that he was a sorcerer and new clothes would do that just fine.
So the seamstress arrived an hour later, a short woman with wide hips and a large bosom that she had forced into a not so concealing bodice. Her two assistants carried armfuls of cloths and threads and all the tools she would need to make Will's tunic, and the two boys seemed relieved to unload their burdens on a divan in the prince's sitting room.
"So, what do we want today, my prince?" she asked with a slightly nasal voice as her twinkling, brown eyes gave Kell a very close inspection.
Kell gave her a wide smile that made one of the assistants sigh happily. "It's not for me today, Mera. It's for my friend here." He gestured to Will and the assistant sighed again.
Will gave the seamstress a hesitant look, he wasn't sure he wanted this woman near him with small, pointy needles in her thick fingers. Mera turned to give him a scrutinizing look-over that made him feel like he had been stripped to the skin.
"O-ho, such a gorgeous young man," she chuckled and came closer to measure Will's size with experienced eyes. "And what do we have in mind for him, my prince?"
"I think forest green or dark brown, and a pair of breeches as well since you're already here."
Will gave Kell a glare but the prince carefully didn't look at him, the expression on his face telling Will how pleased Kell was with himself to have tricked Will into receiving all that, and he couldn't very well argue with Mera and her assistants present.
"O-ho, yes, forest green, a deep one," Mera clucked and flicked two fingers at her assistants and they began to search through the piles of cloth. "And dark brown, a warm brown, yes I can see that too. Earth colors for this young man, then." She turned a questioning eye to Kell. "Perhaps a new shirt? I have one with me that might fit perfectly with a few adjustments."
Kell glanced quickly at Will and then nodded to the seamstress. "I guess a shirt would be needed as well, to complete the ensemble."
Will sighed and admitted defeat; he supposed the clothes would come in handy sooner or later when Kell decided he should go back to court. Will couldn't let him leave without him, now or ever.
Kell made himself comfortable in a couch while Will endured the methodical measurements of his body; arm length and leg length and chest width and waist and hips. He gave a shocked yelp when the seamstress gave him a smarting pinch on a butt cheek and he gave her a reproachful look for it, but she seemed impervious to it. He supposed she would be if she did this to all her customers. Will idly wondered if the prince had ever had to endure such treatment. Kell tried in vain to stifle his laugh behind his book, which was only for show anyway; Will had seen him look more at him than the pages.
Mera hummed a happy little tune while she worked, needles between her round lips and eyes squinting. Will had to stand with his arms raised to the sides for so long he wondered if he would ever be able to lift them again once he was allowed to lower them. But he could see how the tunics would look once they were finished and he had to admit Mera knew what she was doing.
The shirt was easily fitted and he kept it on a while longer just to feel the very soft white cotton against his skin, a fine craftsmanship with the embroidery of small white leafs circling the neck and wrists.
"When do you think they will be ready, Mera?" Kell asked as her assistants scooped up all her supplies again.
"In two days, my prince. I'll put everything else aside for you." She winked at him and innocently slipped a hand behind Will to give him one more pinch.
Will started and gave the chuckling woman an indignant look to follow her out of the room.
"Speak to Janu and he'll settle the payments with you." Kell escorted her to the door and she pinched him too, just for good measure. Kell gave her a friendly scolding and ushered her and the sighing assistants out the door. Only when it was securely closed did he rub the sore spot. "Quite the strength in those fingers, wouldn't you say?"
Will crossed his arms over his chest and gave him a look. "She can hardly be a professional seamstress with that behavior."
"Oh, but she is, and one of the best in the city too."
"I don't appreciate being pinched," Will stated.
Kell grinned. "Would it be better if I did it?"
Will tried to glare but Kell was too tempting and he kissed him instead.
"Hmmm. I'll have Mera over more often if this is the effect she has on you."
"I believe you can do that all on your own, my prince." Will broke away before the kissing and teasing got anymore serious, and went to search out his boots and coat. "I should get back to the keep."
Kell followed him around the room with his eyes intent on Will. "Why?"
"I have my belongings there, and I do have duties even when we're not at war."
"I see." Kell stole a touch of bared skin as Will changed from the new shirt to his old one, and Will stifled a gasp. "What duties might that be?"
"Until Piotry returns I work with Thomy and Sernan to see to the men's health. There are still a few wounded that requires healing. Their recovery is our responsibility as sorcerers." He pulled on the boots.
"I'll go with you, then. I need to talk to Heon and Beyn about the troop rotations and see Elon about the supplies." Kell sighed and searched out his sword belt.
"Who's Elon?" Will hadn't had the time yesterday to get properly acquainted with the keep and its staff.
"He runs the keep, well, him and his wife Emy. She knows more about the keep than anyone, that woman. If you ever need anything it's her you should talk to."
Four of the prince's guards marched with them up to the keep. Not that the prince needed it with Will by his side, but because it was the right thing to do when you were a prince recently returned in the city.
~The people love him,~ Ashiná said when yet another woman waved and tossed a token for the prince to catch.
~That they do,~ Will agreed and realized it was pride he felt. ~Where have you been since last night?~
~Oh, nowhere. Just enjoying the view and this mood you've gotten into.~ She sounded awfully smug.
Will smiled and gave Kell a fond look.
The stable boys rushed out to take care of their horses when they entered the courtyard and the guards were released to entertain themselves around the keep until the prince was to go back. Will and Kell went together in search of a quick lunch before they went separate ways.
Will found his way to the infirmary by the aid of a helpful servant and Thomy were glad to see him.
"I need your help to cleanse this wound," he said quietly as he lead Will towards a bed further down the large room, away from the few other occupied bunks. The man that lay pale and sweating between the sheets had been hurt by a sword a few days earlier during practice among the soldiers. It had been a superficial wound, nothing to be worried about, but after a day of tender and red skin the wound had begun to bleed again and the man developed a fever. Thomy had healed him but now it had again taken for the worse. Despite both Thomy's and Sernan's best efforts the wound stubbornly refused to heal, though they had managed to contain the infection to the tissues around he wound and keep the man alive. So far.
Will joined his searching strands with Thomy's to let the other sorcerer guide him to the problem. The sword had originally slashed the man's side without making any deadly damage and it had been healed properly. But what Thomy showed Will now was as bad as if the sword had gone through and through. The fever wasn't helping either, steadily rising to dangerous levels and draining the man of strength.
"He has fighting power," Will said quietly when they pulled back. "He should be dead."
"Yes. Thomy bathed the man's face with a damp washcloth. "But he refuses to give up, and as long as he's willing to fight how can we not?"
Will nodded. "Do you mind if I take another look on my own?"
"Of course not, Will. I'd be overjoyed if you could find what's keeping him ill."
Will pulled a deep, calming breath and settled cross-legged on the floor next to the bed, a hand on the man's feverish skin. The new searching strands he sent in were by far finer than the ones he had joined with Thomy's. He went slower now through skin and flesh, stopping at everything that seemed out of place or infected or foreign. Other than the infection already festering around the reopened wound, Will found nothing.
He frowned in concern and worry. He wished Piotry was here.
As he made to pull back again, one of his strands passed through a vein and the contact sent a tingle through Will. He stopped, considering this for a moment and then focused all his strands on the vein instead. He became aware of the pulse of the blood flow, driven by the pumping of the heart and how tired the organ was. He became aware of how each pulse also hurt the man, his muscles becoming heavier, hotter, almost as if they were burning.
Will bit his teeth together when his own body started to take on the symptoms. He isolated his own self from the man's, much like he did with mind and body when meditating, and threaded his strands into the vein. The blood was boiling around him and he gasped. It was infected. No, something else. Hurt…. Something else. Poisoned!
Will pulled back quickly when he found the reason for the soldier's condition, and he blinked and stared into Thomy's concerned face.
"You were acting like you were in pain, Will." Thomy had grabbed his shoulder, he noticed. "What did you find?"
Will took a breath and released the soldier's wrist; his fingers were trembling a bit. "I found what it is that's keeping him ill. He's been poisoned."
Thomy frowned. "What? Are you sure?"
Will nodded and sat back as he opened his coat to ease the warmth that lingered from the feverish man.
"How could we have missed it?" Thomy asked, worried now.
"You were concentrating on the wound. But my question is how he got poisoned in the first place. As far as I know none of the soldiers in the army use toxins on their weapons."
Thomy nodded gravely. "A mistake? I know the conditions for healing haven't been the best out in the field."
Will shrugged. "But good enough. And he was looked after by you and your brother, I'm sure."
"Of course!"
"I don't mean any offence, Thomy." He held up a hand at the other sorcerer. "I know you are very good at healing. It wouldn't have been any mistake of yours if he was indeed poisoned."
Thomy's lips pursed. "Do you know what you're implying, Will?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"We'll have to tell the prince. He won't be happy to hear this."
Will sighed. "I know. But lets not jump to conclusions, he might just have been unlucky," Will said, he knew Kell didn't need another problem on his hands. "And even if it only was an accident in the first place, we'll have to make sure it doesn't happen again."
Thomy gave him a considering look, but slowly nodded. "He still needs to know, Will," he said as if he had read his mind. "How did you find the poison to begin with?" he asked then.
Will grimaced as he got up from the floor. "One of my strands passed through a vein."
"A vein?" Thomy seemed amazed. "You can make your strands that fine?"
"Well… yes. But it's strenuous and I can't keep it up for long." Will wasn't comfortable with the older sorcerer's wide-eyed expression.
"I'm glad you could; now at least we know what needs to be done."
Will left the man in Thomy's capable hands and went to take care of the last healing of a fractured leg. The soldier in question recognized Will from the ambush at the Knee.
"You're the sorcerer who got shot," he said. Then he winced, more by reflex than actual pain, as Will unwound the bandage and splinters around his leg. "Gods, I thought you'd die for sure then with that crossbow bolt an' all. And the prince seemed to think so too, he was quite devastated."
"Yes, I know. But I survived."
The man chuckled. "Yes, and ain't the prince glad you did. Although, it seems you've had your disputes between you since then. But I'm glad you're still here, so you can heal me now. I wonder what we'd do without you sorcerers."
Will shut out the man's continued babbling as he prepared for the healing. It seemed the soldiers saw more than either Will or Kell had wanted them to. He hoped it wouldn't cause any trouble; the prince had enough at hand as it was and now, if this last case was truly an intentional poisoning… treason was harsh business for all involved.
He'd have to deal with that later. He shook his head and concentrated on the work at hand. The last healing was mostly to make sure the body had mended properly and Will gave the soldier the advice to stay in bed for a day or two more to gather his strength.
The afternoon passed before Will or Thomy could leave the infirmary and when Will was finally relieved of duty by a rather content looking Sernan, he went outside to get some fresh air. He found the well in the small yard outside the infirmary and took off his coat to splash some water on his face and neck. He felt better, a bit refreshed although his thoughts were beginning to churn around again, concerning the poisoned soldier and the prince.
As he sat back to relax for a minute, bangs dripping water down onto the chest and shoulders of his shirt, he saw the maid with the auburn curly hair that had relayed the prince's invitation yesterday. She stood with two other maids around a large trough with heated water and washed sheets for the infirmary beds. She looked up and noticed Will looking, and a shy smile passed over her lips. Will smiled back and nodded a polite greeting. She had a beautiful face.
Down in the city the bells struck six and Will realized he hadn't eaten since that quick snack at noon. He gathered up his coat and went back inside.
* * * * * * * *
Kell had not been able to leave the council hall until well past eight that evening. Supper had been brought to them while Kell found himself heaped with piles of paper that Elon and Emy wanted him to sign or confirm or just know they existed. Heon and Beyn had left after a few hours when the schedules for troop- and guard rotations had been settled.
And then Thomy had found his way there. What he had to report about the poisoned soldier had not made Kell's day any better, or shorter. He took the news with grim concern and knew he had to get to the bottom of this. Even if it had been an accident that got the man injured in the first place, to later on be poisoned – by mistake or intent – was an act of treachery that he could not allow.
Kell sighed and drubbed at his forehead, the headache was still only a whisper behind his eyes, but if he didn't stop now he knew it would get worse. And he was hungry again too. He decided he wouldn't get any further with this tonight and left the hall with a tired sigh and headed intently for the kitchen. He hoped to convince the cook to give him a piece of that pie that had been brought to him with the supper tray. His mind was focused on the best way to charm the cook and he almost missed the familiar word one of the maids uttered. Kell stopped out of sight of the kitchen door and strained his ears to listen.
"It's strange though, to have them all back. I always feel like they can see right through me, them sorcerers," one of the maids was saying.
"Yes, especially the old one, but I've not seen him or the redhead around lately," another answered.
"They're on leave still, but they'll be back soon enough."
"And the new one, the young, dark-haired one?" the girl giggled. "If they all looked like him I wouldn't complain."
A few voices agreed with more giggles and womanly cheers. Keel frowned with dislike.
"What was his name again, Mirja?"
"Sorcerer Will De'Noa," a shy voice answered.
"And a pretty name too. And how you were blushing when you came back down yesterday after you had given him the prince's invitation," a girl said teasingly.
"And again today out in the yard when he looked at you."
"Well, he has pretty eyes," the shy voice said.
Kell wanted to storm in there and tell the women in no uncertain terms to keep their hands away from Will, the sorcerer was his, or they'd lose those hands. But he didn't, he couldn't or they'd all know how he felt for Will and within a day the whole city would be buzzing with gossip.
So he pulled a deep breath before he stepped through the door. The maids fell quiet with poorly hidden smiles as they saw him and he nodded at them all with a polite greeting and a small smile.
The cook came up to him with a ladle in one flour white hand and did a somewhat swaying curtsy. "Can I help you, my prince?" She wasn't exactly surprised to see him, Kell often visited the kitchen when he was in the keep since the graying, sturdy woman was one of the best cooks he had ever met.
"Do you have any of that delicious pie left, madam? I don't think I'll survive the night without another piece." He gave her one of his most charming smiles and she let herself fall for it.
As the cook had the pie wrapped Kell studied the maids once more out of the corner of his eye. He recognized the one named Mirja, auburn, rich curly hair and shy eyes that hesitated to look at him when the other maids did so almost blatantly. She was really pretty and a well-behaved girl too. Kell tried to convince himself that it wasn't jealousy he felt.
The guards were already waiting for him and his horse had been saddled, a brown gelding that was better suited for the busy streets of Adeban than Runner. Kell hesitated before he got in the saddle, he wondered if Will would be willing to join him again this evening, but he was reluctant to go back to ask him in case he should run into the maid Mirja again. If he did he'd have to ask her to ask Will for him and then she'd certainly figure out one thing or another and the gossip would start to circulate that the prince favored one of the sorcerers. Then maybe Mirja would try to…
Kell snorted and chided himself for being so ridicules, and got in the saddle. Will had already shown quite clearly where his heart lay and Kell convinced himself that was enough for now. After all, Will would do his duty and care for the tiger.
* * * * * * * *
But as the city bells struck eight the next morning Kell was already restless and wanted to go up to the keep. He managed to wait until half past eight before he ordered the horse saddled and a guard scrambled to escort him. Kell went straight to the sorcerer's room up on the second floor and was relieved when Will opened the door after his impatient knocking.
"My prince?" he said surprised and blinked when Kell stepped past him and into the room. He had barely closed the door before Kell pushed him up against it with a thump of flesh against solid wood. Kell pressed his whole body into Will's for a forceful kiss and hands roaming in under the shirt he hadn't had the time to lace up properly.
Will stood panting when he was finally released and it took a moment before he managed to speak. He swallowed and smiled, although it was a bit shaky. "What was that for?"
Kell stroked his fingers through rich, dark hair. "I missed you last night."
"Well, why didn't you send for me then?"
"Would you have come?"
Will's lashes lowered slightly. "Perhaps." He pulled Kell closer again. "Yes. I missed you too, my prince."
Will's kiss was gentler but deeper than Kell's and it made his breath hitch and an ache form between his legs. He cursed the fact that he was so easily aroused when Will seemed so in control, but after a quick, teasing drop of a hand he was glad to notice the sorcerer was just as excited.
Will broke the kiss then and Kell knew this moment to be over.
"I need to go into the forest today," Will said and laced up his shirt before he pulled on one of his tunics, the plain brown one that went so well with his eyes.
"Why? Don't Thomy need you in the infirmary?"
"No, Sernan has promised to help him today and there are only two patients there at the moment." Will found his boots under a chair and bent to pull them on, which gave Kell a rather nice view of his rear.
"I've got to restock my herb pouch." Will buckled on his belt with the dagger and the pouch before he turned to Kell.
"And you can't buy what you need at the market?" He followed Will out the door.
"No, some herbs are too delicate to be handled properly by someone without the knowledge, others should be put in water or oil before they're processed, and the herbs they sell at the markets are always dried or mixed with other plants or even mushrooms that don't always do well together."
"Oh, I didn't realize it was so much work." Kell felt a bit stupid. Will gave him a gentle smile.
"However, I have to go the market later anyway to buy a new bowl and some jars."
"I'll go with you then," Kell offered and received a short, disbelieving look. "I can go to the market if I want, I've done so before several times," he defended himself.
"I'm sure you have, but I don't think your guards would let you go alone and I'd only be slowed down by having four armed men on my heels."
"They don't have to come, I'm sure you can protect me just as easily."
Will rolled his eyes and Kell gave him a wide grin.
While they waited for the horses to be saddled Kell convinced his guards they didn't have to go with him when the sorcerer was there. The men were clearly torn between their sense of duty and the alluring pleasures they could occupy themselves with at the keep, but after a few hesitant moments and a long scrutinizing look at Will, the men relented. They knew after all just who Will was, but they still looked after their liege when the two of them rode out through the gate.
Kell was pretty sure they would find entertainment with the men in the keep and one or another maid. That thought reminded him of the girl Mirja and he gave the tall walls around the keep a scowl over his shoulder for good measure.
Will steered towards the woods as soon as they had left the city walls behind them and come clear of the mostly permanent camp of traveling merchants and traders camped outside the city.
"So, what herbs are you looking for?" Kell wondered as the trees shadowed them from the forenoon sun.
Will smiled and shook his head. "All sorts of herbs, mushrooms and plants as well. It would take too long to describe them all to you and you'd probably get most of them wrong anyway."
Kell realized he was pouting and quickly smoothed out his features. "How hard can it be? They're plants."
"I spent the first two years of my apprenticeship solely learning herb lore and healing, my prince. It is that hard."
Kell decided to keep his mouth shut on the subject from now on.
Will found a small brook winding its way between the trees and he set about along the water to search out one plant or another that thrived in the moist earth. Kell waited patiently with the horses but when Will disappeared out of sight, he went after him. He found him on his knees in the mud, carefully carving out the roots of a small, thorny bush with his dagger. Kell couldn't help but laugh.
"What?" Will asked and gave him a short, distracted glance before he triumphantly pulled out a mesh of dirty roots.
"That's quite amusing. I had never pictured a powerful sorcerer ever getting down on his knees in the mud to dig out a plant with his bare hands."
Will climbed back up on dry land and gave the prince a look. "Well, if it's that funny you can carry this for me." He tossed the root at Kell who caught it out of reflex. His hands got dirty and muddy, and his tunic got a few spatters as well. Will obviously found that very satisfying.
Kell followed Will through the trees, conjuring up all sorts of ways to get back at the sorcerer for dirtying his hands and tunic. But Will relieved him of his burden when they got back to the horses and the root was carefully packed in a pouch of its own.
Will went about his search for more herbs and plants with what Kell wanted to describe as calm persistence. He wondered how far they would go before Will found a clearing among the trees where small white flowers stood in groups in the moss.
"What are you looking for this time?"
Will didn't answer right away but fell to his knees and picked a small, round leaf from its stem and held it up for Kell to see. "Maiden's nail," he named it.
"Maiden's nail," Kell mumbled and gingerly stepped out into the clearing. "And what does that do?" He bent down to pick up a leaf that looked just like the one Will had found.
"Oh, all sorts of things, depending on how you process it."
"Can you eat it?" It looked a bit like a piece of salad.
"Sure," Will said and he had a distinct grin on his face, "if you want your tongue to go numb for a few hours."
"Really? It does that?" Kell suddenly realized the full benefits of having an herb-knowledgeable sorcerer around. "Beanice could use some of this when she gets in the mood." He grinned happily at that notion. "That would stop her bickering, father would be so pleased."
Will stared at him for a moment with a blank look on his face before he understood what Kell was talking about, and then he burst into laughter.
Kell smiled, a pleasant warmth filling him from Will's laughter. He felt so at ease here, in the forest with no one around but Will. He must have dropped his guard, because next he knew concerns started to surface again. He didn't want to end this nice moment but he also couldn't afford to ignore the demands of duty, even if he tried to escape them for a little while at times.
"Thomy told me of the poisoned man," he said quietly, twisting the small leaf he still held between his fingers.
Will looked up at him with a concerned crease between his eyebrows, the smile fading from his lips. "Yes." He looked like he wanted to say something more, but just shrugged and looked down at the plants under his fingers.
Kell sighed. "I'm grateful you found out what was keeping him ill, although I'm less thrilled to learn of the reason."
"I know. What will you do about it?" he asked.
Kell bit his teeth together and then forced himself to take a deep breath through his mouth. "At the moment there isn't much I can do. I asked Thomy to keep his eyes and ears open for any clues, but until we find the one who did it I can't do anything without both spreading panic and unrest among the men, or scare off the one we're seeking. One option is to wait until the man regains consciousness and then ask him, but Thomy isn't sure he'll remember anything or even know how he got it."
Will nodded distractedly.
Kell tilted his head and gave him a considering look. "Is there something else I need to know, Will?"
The sorcerer glanced up and shrugged. "I… No. Nothing important."
Kell decided to let it be, Will would tell him if and when he deemed it necessary.
He spent the next hour in gloomy thoughts while Will searched out possibly every plant in the forest. Eventually, when he had five pouches stuffed with various things, Will announced that he was ready to go back. Kell was more than delighted to get in the saddle, there was only so much of crawling and digging in the dirt a prince could take in one day.
But he didn't want to return to the keep just yet. He had cleared his desk of any imminently important papers for the rest of today and wanted to spend more time with Will while they had the chance.
"Could I convince you to join me for a small lunch, Will? It's almost noon." Kell gestured towards the sky.
Will gave the invitation a short consideration. "I must take care of the herbs first I think, they won't stay fresh for long, and I still have to buy those bowls at the market."
"But after the market, then?"
Will smiled. "If you can wait until I've sorted out the herbs and stored them, then I'll have lunch with you, my prince."
"Good." Kell smiled, pleased.
But the thoughts of a pleasant afternoon with the sorcerer that Kell entertained during the ride back to Adeban, were smashed in a very unforeseen and unpleasant way. A servant from his manor caught up with them on their way to the keep.
"My prince. There's a guest waiting for you at the manor," he said with a bow.
"A guest? Who?" Kell frowned, puzzled. He wasn't expecting anyone, at least not so soon after he had returned himself. The nobles of Adeban would always send a long line of carefully composed greeting cards and pleasantries before they even got to the point of asking for a visit. And there weren't many nobles left in Adeban as it was, most of them had fled the city at the beginning of the war, taking refuge in their country manors far away or even going all the way to the capital.
"He didn't want us to give you his name, my prince. He wanted it to be a surprise."
A few faces passed before Kell's eyes and none of them were particularly pleasant. He suddenly had a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach. He gave Will an uncertain look and to his relief the sorcerer nodded for him to lead the way. He should have known Will wouldn't leave him alone to meet this unknown visitor.
When they trotted into the yard in front of the manor they saw a large, costly carriage that had been pulled by four proud geldings and accompanied by a dozen guards and archers. Kell gave his reins to a waiting stable boy and closely followed by Will he went inside to search out his nameless guest.
He was more than a little apprehensive, he realized, which certainly was a silly reaction. But someone coming uncalled for and not giving their name. Kell knew a few people that loved to surprise him like this. Will was a tense and silent presence by his shoulder; it seemed he had picked up on Kell's unease.
Whoever it was, Kell decided he wouldn't let them see the prince taken by surprise by the unannounced visit; he'd be calm and composed about it and bid the guest a proper welcome.
But all his best intentions were shattered as soon as they stepped into the parlor. Kell's heart froze when he recognized the tall and slender shape of a man he had almost managed to forget.
"Lord Calon." His voice wasn't as steady as he had wished and he noticed Will hesitated in the doorway behind him. Gods, but he needed Will's support now.
Lord Calon turned piercing grey eyes to Kell and he shied away inside, but forced his body to remain straight and still where he stood. "My prince." The voice was as smooth and graceful as the bow he greeted his liege with. "It's a pleasure to see you again."
Kell had to swallow before he could answer. "Likewise," he forced out, though it sounded very doubtful. "What are you doing here?" Not the kind of polite question you should first ask when greeting a newly arrived guest, but Kell was off balance and not thinking very clearly, his mind hazed by what he hoped, wished not to be fear.
Lord Calon stepped closer, a hand stroking back a black strand into the perfectly laid hair swept back over his scalp. "I was inspecting my properties to see how they have faired during the war and thought it to be a nice surprise to stop by Adeban while I was on the road. And here I am." He smoothed a hand down the front of his green velvet coat.
Kell doubted that casual explanation, Calon must have been on the road for at least four days to get from his most northern properties to Adeban so soon. "And you dare risk your safety on the roads with the war so recently over? There could still be enemies about."
"Oh," Calon waved a dismissive hand at him, "you know me, I don't fear a few bandits and my guards are perfectly capable of handling every situation. Besides, I like to travel."
No, Calon was most certainly not a coward, arrogant maybe but not a fool, and Calon's father saw to it that his heir had ample protection and able-bodied guards at all times. But still, Kell didn't know the lord to like to travel, not enough to spend days in a stuffy, shaking wagon, but he didn't voice it.
Lord Calon was five years older than Kell and only an inch taller, but as he stepped closer yet again Kell suddenly felt very small and fragile under that piercing look. It was a relief when those grey eyes shifted from him to give Will a casual study.
"And who might this be?" Calon mused, not really interested unless the new acquaintance could benefit him in some way.
Kell looked over at Will who stood just inside the doors with his feet planted and a challenging look in his eyes. He seemed more capable of facing the lord than Kell did at the moment; Calon's sudden return into Kell's life had shaken his confidence.
When Will didn't introduce himself quickly enough Calon allowed himself to speculate freely. "I'd say he is a pleasure boy with a face like that, but judging by the plain clothes I'd say not. I didn't know you kept with such fancies, my prince. Is he a local talent?"
Will's eyes narrowed to dark slits and Kell thought for a moment he would let the lord know just who and what he truly was by setting him on fire, or at least send him flying through the room. But Will only gave a curt nod and left.
"Oh, my. It seems I have bruised his ego," Calon said with distinct amusement in his voice and little regret.
Kell shot an angry look at the lord's disdainful face, barely giving himself time to acknowledge his own feelings, and then hurried after Will. He caught up with him in the hallway, marching towards the door and the courtyard. Kell grabbed hold of a brown sleeve.
"Please, Will. Don't leave." Kell made him stop and the indignant look on Will's face changed to hurt.
"He called me a pleasure boy," Will hissed.
"I…" Kell was interrupted.
"And you didn't even tell him otherwise."
"So I should just blurt out you're a powerful sorcerer and my personal guard, then?" Kell growled back, all his resurfaced fears turning so easily to anger, and he couldn't stop them from falling onto Will, the one person he trusted above all else. "I thought it was supposed to be a secret."
Will scowled and pulled his arm free of Kell's grip. He stabbed a finger in the direction of the parlor and the lord. "If that is how I will be perceived at court then I'm not sure I'll ever want to go there. I set aside my pride when you sent for that seamstress to make you happy, but I won't stand for being treated like the person he took me for any more."
Kell opened his mouth to protest but Will had already turned and was stalking out the doors. Kell hadn't realized he'd hurt Will that way, it had only been a simple gift, a show of appreciation for the friendship and comfort the sorcerer offered him. Had Will been serious when he said he wouldn't go with Kell to court? He hoped not, Will wouldn't dismiss his duties for such silly reasons.
Kell pulled a breath to steady his wavering courage. He could deal with lord Calon on his own, he must. And he would do anything to restore Will's pride.
Lord Calon was sitting in a couch, sipping on a glass of wine, when Kell came back. The grey eyes moved slowly, almost lazily, from the garden outside the open terrace doors to study the prince. Kell gathered his courage and gestured for the servant present in the room to bring him a glass of wine as well, he would need it.
"I apologize, my prince. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings," Calon said pleasantly when Kell had received his glass.
"I'm sure you didn't," he answered amiably, but thought otherwise. Those Calon didn't hold close for his own benefit he made sure to get rid of. "Are you here on your own, lord Calon?"
A perfect smile passed over the lord's sculpted face. "My sister and her ladies are a day or two behind me. They wanted to come when they heard you had returned to Adeban, my prince."
"Oh? I suppose they weren't in the capital then if they are willing to undertake a trip this far north?" Kell said and tried to unclench his teeth. Calon's sister and her friends were almost as bad as the lord. He had been a friend of lady Eoline and her entourage, and had socialized rather frequently with the women when he was at court. One of them he had even gotten quite intimate with. He suspected lady Chaleen was one of the ladies on their way here.
Calon sipped his wine as he studied the prince over the rim of his crystal glass. "No, they have spent the past few months at father's estate outside of Embem. I came from there myself, so the ride here wasn't that exhausting."
Kell glanced over at him. "I heard you sold the groves along the river."
"Ah, yes." Calon nodded. "Sad to lose such fine lands, but I felt they wouldn't be of much value after the war had passed."
"And the man that bought them from you? His loss doesn't bother you?"
Calon shrugged, seeming bored. "Why should it? I didn't force him to buy it from me. Though I do imagine he regrets it now." He took another sip of wine.
When isn't it for the sake of money, Kell heard Will's voice in his head. He shook his head. Yes, when wasn't it ever.
"You look well for a man recently returned from a war, my prince," Calon said and Kell looked up to meet the man's gaze. He swallowed and shifted uncomfortably under the intensity in it.
"I am well, lord Calon. Much thanks to my brave and loyal men."
"Ah, yes. I heard of that miraculous save one of the sorcerers did. I'd be happy to meet him and express my gratitude for returning our prince safely to us." He seemed to realize something then. "It wasn't that old, grey-haired one was it? I can't seem to stand his presence; he's quite an old crow, isn't he?"
Kell frowned annoyed. "Sorcerer Aron is one of the best I have in my army. I highly value his advice and would not do without his skills on the battlefield."
Calon only dismissed his words with a shrug.
"Why are you here, lord Calon?" Kell demanded to know. He could manage the man when he was his cool, lordly self, but Kell knew it wouldn't last long before a more dominant and forceful side showed. He needed to discern the reason for his presence and be clear of him before it did.
"I thought the prince shouldn't have to endure the boredom of a life away from court on his own. So a little bit of company was the right thing to do, especially when I was so near by."
That was not the entire truth. Kell met the lord's gaze; he knew what kind of company Calon had in mind. But not this time, Kell knew he could say no now. He beckoned the servant over. "Prepare a suite for the lord in the west wing and the ladies can have the suites next to his when they arrive," Kell said as he got up and gave the empty glass to the servant. Gods, he hadn't even tasted it going down his throat. "Now, if you'll excuse me, lord Calon. I'm late for a meeting with my commanders."
He turned to leave but added almost as an afterthought. "You may decide what you want for supper tonight; I'll probably be late and eat up at the keep." He nodded farewell and left, but not before noticing the miscalculated and annoyed gleam in Calon's eyes.
Kell tried to keep his pace steady as he walked down the hallway, but it was difficult, it was almost as if he could feel Calon's gaze on his back, even through the walls. There wasn't a meeting with his commanders, not today, and wouldn't be unless they called for him, they were capable of handling matters at the keep on their own for the time being. Neither had he planned on supper at the keep, but he refused to stay at the manor with Calon and his disrespectful assumptions after that unasked for and uninvited appearance. And Kell wasn't running. Most certainly not. He had to find Will.
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