Lacuna - N.R. Walker Page 0,5
along a warren of well-lit halls to the north wing, up the stairs, to their rather large quarters. They stood in a common room with reading chairs at one end and a table with plates of meats and fruits, two separate bed chambers, a washroom, complete with steaming tub, as promised. It reminded him of home.
“This is fine,” Crow replied, affording a polite smile. “Tell me, have the others arrived?”
“One other,” the guard replied politely, offering no other information.
“Do you know of my appointments?” Crow furthered. “Am I expected to meet the Consul this day?”
The guard bowed his head. “A feast tonight, to honour all esteemed guests. At sundown. A formal invitation will be forthcoming with details, and a messenger shall come to escort you to the grand hall.”
Just then, the other two guards appeared carrying their bags. Struggling to carry was a more appropriate term. They stepped inside the door and lowered them to the ground with relief. “I bet the horses were thankful,” Soko said, half a grin in place.
The guard, who had earlier led the horses away, gave a nod. “I believe so, sir. Though the mare attempted to bite me.”
Soko laughed. “A slice of apple will change her tune.”
The man smiled. “I’ll remember that, kind sir.”
It was not unlike Soko to befriend everyone he met.
Somewhere across the courtyard, another bell rang. “Someone else has arrived,” Crow deduced.
The first guard gave a nod. “Indeed. We shall leave you be. Bathe and rest well, eat and drink all you desire.”
They backed out of the room, pulling the doors closed behind them, and Soko chuckled. “I think he was trying to tell us we stink.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He told us three times about the bath.” Soko picked at some berries on the table. “Mustn’t be a fan of horse sweat.”
The truth was, they probably did look a little worse for wear. Sleeping the last five nights under the stars without a proper wash was probably unbecoming of his title, but Crow couldn’t bring himself to care. He had enjoyed the last week, niceties and royal expectations be damned.
Crow picked up a sliver of meat and bread and smiled as he ate. Soko inspected the room, the bed chambers, the views out the windows. He was very obviously impressed.
“This is the room I’ve stayed in before,” Crow said as he picked at the plate of fruits. “It’s the northern wing, so I guess that makes it ours.” Not much in the room had changed at all. There was a tapestry on the wall, of snow-covered mountains and blue sky. A rug covered half the floor, the chairs were upholstered with linen, the table hand-carved wood, a fireplace was unlit. It was all very pleasant and welcoming, reminiscent of his home. But this was Soko’s first time.
“You’re impressed,” Crow noted.
Soko came back to the table, choosing some meat and cheese this time. “I am. It’s everything I imagined from your stories. You’ve been here three times before?”
Crow gave a nod. “As a newborn. Then as a small boy, and again at sixteen.”
“I remember the last. I wanted so badly to go with you.”
“Instead you had to stay behind and help Scaevola in the kitchen.”
Soko gave a wink. “Wasn’t the only place I helped her either, I’ll have you know.”
Crow laughed and shook his head as he ate some more. “She helped you was more like it. I can guess who was getting the lesson that day.”
He laughed. “She schooled me well.”
Crow shoved more sliced meat in his mouth, chewing and smiling at the same time proving rather difficult. “You are without shame.”
Grinning, Soko mock-bowed. “Thank you.” He picked at some meat and fruit, then collected the bags from the door. “I shall put your belongings in your room, if you wanted to bathe while the water is still hot.”
“Now you would tell me I stink?”
Soko froze. “No, I wouldn’t—”
Crow laughed again. “The look on your face . . .”
Soko huffed, disappearing into one of the bedchambers with two bags and came out with one. “Because I’m certain mocking one’s king, in the Aequi Kentron, no less, would see my head parted from my neck.”
Amused, Crow gave a shrug. “Well, you wouldn’t see it.” Soko’s mouth fell open, making Crow laugh. “Relax, Soko. No one’s been tried for treason in a few hundred years. And at any rate, you can’t mock me for the same stink you wear.”
Soko shoved the bag he was holding into Crow’s chest. “It’s a fine line,