The Ippos King (Wraith Kings #3) - Grace Draven Page 0,140
jolted him awake. “Another visitor, margrave.”
Serovek peered at the figure standing on the other side of the cell bars and blinked twice to make sure he wasn't seeing things. “Gaeres?”
Of all the people he would guess might come to see him, a fellow Wraith king wasn't one of them. The Quereci chieftain's son had ridden away with his entourage once they escorted Serovek and Megiddo to High Salure. As isolated as the Quereci were, Serovek wasn't sure he and would ever cross paths again, and if they did, it would be by chance on the summer plains when the nomadic clans grazed their herds of sheep and goats and horses across his territories. He never imagined facing Gaeres here in the heart of the Beladine kingdom.
Gaeres didn't smile. His dark gaze passed over the bars and his features, hawkish and severe, tightened with disapproval. “Serovek,” he said in the clear, precise voice Serovek remembered. “I'd hoped to see you again one day but not like this.”
Serovek left the bed and walked to the bars. He shoved one hand through, watching askance as his guard tensed. “What are you doing in Timsiora?”
Gaeres clasped Serovek's hand with both of his. “There's an apothecary here well known for creating cures that actually work.” His austere face turned even more so. “Many in our camp have been struck with a sickness. The old and the young are of course the first to succumb. I heard the news of your imprisonment when I arrived and couldn't believe it. I had to see for myself.”
Serovek frowned at the news. For the Quereci's sake, he hoped it wasn't plague. For everyone's sake, he hoped it wasn't plague. “What did you tell the gate guards to let you in?”
“The truth. I'm a chief of the Quereci.” He finally smiled. “The clan matriarchs decided that my feats as a Wraith king earned me the right to be named a chieftain.”
Serovek chuckled. “Quereci women expect a great deal of their men, don't they? It's good to see you, friend.”
Gaeres's rare smile faded. “You as well but not in these circumstances. What happened to put you in the Zela?”
“It's a long story,” Serovek said. “One I'm writing now for the king's chroniclers. You'll be able to read it when it's done if you wish to visit the Archives one day. For now, though, I think you have more important things to attend to if there's sickness among the clans.”
“I'm told I can present myself at the palace as a witness for you. I'll be glad to do so. As a Wraith king, I know firsthand your honor and courage.”
Of those who might appear before the king to offer their support of Serovek, he couldn't think of anyone more detrimental than a fellow Wraith king, except maybe Brishen himself—a Wraith king and the Kai regent. “I appreciate the gesture, but you're better off making yourself scarce here in the capital. Get what you need from your apothecary and go home. King Rodan isn't too fond of Wraith kings at the moment, and you may end up sharing this cell with me if you present yourself to his court with the purpose of defending me.”
Gaeres's frown was fierce. “Are you certain? I'll take the risk.”
Serovek nodded vigorously. “Very certain. Your duty is first and foremost to your people who obviously need you right now.” If the young chieftain insisted, he'd have to abandon civility and demand Gaeres to stop helping. Fortunately, the other man didn't press and gave silent acquiescence with a nod.
Exhaling a relieved sigh, Serovek turned their conversation to something a little lighter. “Have you married?” He'd been astounded to learn the lengths Gaeres would go to for the chance at gaining a wife from among his clansmen. Quereci women must be exceptional if a man was willing to fight a demon horde just to increase his chances of impressing one the clanswomen enough to consider becoming his bride.
Gaeres's expression turned more guarded. “No, not yet.”
“Surely you've proven yourself worthy of the privilege of taking a wife? Herding galla is a little more difficult than herding sheep or horses.”
The other man shrugged, his eyes no longer meeting Serovek's. “That isn't the problem. I've just decided to wait for now. When do you stand trial?”
Serovek recognized a feint when he heard one and abandoned his questions to follow Gaeres's new path. “I don't know. I'm sure if and when the king decides to actually have a trial, I'll be the first to