Fear of Fire and Shadow (The Fade #1) - Samantha Young Page 0,17
about conspicuous. I glowered, incredulous.
Wolfe sighed. “Fine, fifty.”
I opened my mouth to argue and Jarvis held up a hand. “You will take fifty men with you, Rogan. That’s an order from the Rada.”
I grimaced but deferred to his wishes. “All right, so how long will it take us?”
Wolfe shook his head. “Difficult to say. Depending on weather and any other unforeseen circumstances, I would say between three to six weeks. What will I tell my men?”
Jarvis answered, “I assume you can trust Lieutenant Chaeron with the truth. Otherwise, exactly what Rogan suggested. This is merely a diplomatic trip on behalf of the princezna. If trouble brews and you must tell your men, then you must, but otherwise, keep it among you, Rogan, and Chaeron. May I suggest you leave Second Lieutenant Worth at the palace, just in case you and Rogan don’t make it back in time before trouble arrives here?” Jarvis blanched at the thought of crime in Sabithia, as did we all.
“Of course.” Wolfe stood. He projected calm and an air of capability that I knew reassured the Rada. They all looked to him as if he would take care of everything. “I’ll see to my men.”
“I’ll see to Haydyn’s quiet removal from the palace,” Ava said, standing unsteadily. “Lord Matai, will you find Seamstress Rowan and explain everything? She will need to pack a few things. Raj, Valena, Lord Jarvis, we need to get the princezna out of the palace.” She took me entirely by surprise by drawing me into her embrace. I stiffened. No one but Haydyn and Valena ever touched me. “Good luck, Rogan. I know you can do this. We shall see you in a few weeks’ time.”
I nodded, feeling emotion clog my throat. I cleared it and retreated from her. “I better gather my things.” Before leaving, I pulled Valena into a tight hug and her tears wet my skin. “You take care of her. And yourself.”
“Be careful, Rogan,” Valena begged. “Please.”
I promised I would and marched from the room, only now feeling what Haydyn must feel every day.
The weight of an entire world on my shoulders.
And now, like her, I would have given anything to ask someone else to help me carry the burden.
Chapter 6
Haydyn lay before me on her bed, peaceful and pale, her eyelids not even twitching to assure me she was dreaming somewhere inside herself. My throat was so tight, so sore with constrained emotion, and I gripped the bedpost lest I reach forward to shake her as I wanted to, to shake her awake and scold her for terrifying me. Her chest rose and fell in slow, gentle breaths.
“You’re going to be all right,” I whispered, bending down to brush a kiss across her forehead. I knew her as well as I knew myself, and I could not bear to live in a world where she did not exist. I choked back a frightened sob. “I promise.”
I strode out into the courtyard where the Guard were busying themselves with their horses and the supply cart that would travel with us. I tugged on my leather riding gloves, my cloak billowing at my back as wind rushed in from the east. Jarek watched me carefully as I approached him and Midnight. My heart thudded rapidly as I willed my expression to relax into a soft smile.
“Thank you, Jarek,” I acknowledged, taking Midnight’s reins. As I stroked my mare’s glossy, blue-black coat in greeting, Midnight nickered and bounced her head toward me in response.
“So.” Jarek eyed me skeptically. “A diplomatic trip on behalf of the princezna?”
Avoiding his stare, I nodded and continued to stroke Midnight. “Yes. Haydyn’s interested in improving relations with the Alvernians.”
“It’s such a hastily put-together outing.” Jarek shook his head. “My boys nearly broke their backs getting the horses ready under Wolfe’s command. Usually a trip such as this would take a week of preparation, at least.”
I hated to lie to an old friend. Instead I opted to trust him with a little of the truth. I looked into his eyes and he tensed at what he saw in mine. “Alvernia is worsening,” I informed him quietly, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. “I’m going with Captain Stovia to discern the situation for myself and see what can be done. Speak of this to no one, Jarek, but Haydyn may consider a betrothal to Vojvoda Andrei’s son.”
Jarek’s eyes widened. “Are things really that bad?”