Lacuna - N.R. Walker Page 0,6
I’ll have you know. Being best friend to a king, and his personal guard, and his personal advisor. On one hand, I must treat you as any subject treats a king. On the other hand, as your best friend, it is also my duty to laugh at your expense. So you see—”
“Personal advisor?”
“Yes. To personally advise you when you smell like a horse’s arse.”
Crow barked out a laugh just as there was a knock at the door. Soko unsheathed the sword from Crow’s bag and spun on his heel in one swift move, putting himself between Crow and any possible threat.
Crow chuckled. “It’s a line you straddle well, my friend,” he said. Then he spoke to the door. “Enter.”
The door opened and a guard appeared, head bowed, with a piece of paper in his hand. “The Consul’s invitation, my lord.”
Lowering his sword, Soko stepped forward and accepted the note. The guard backed out with no further word and closed the door. Soko put the sword on the table, handed the note to Crow, then proceeded to take Crow’s bag from him and carried it to Crow’s bedchamber.
Crow read the invitation out loud.
“In honour of the presence of all rulers of the Great Kingdoms, the Elders’ Consul invites you and your guest to the grand hall at sundown. An informal introductory meeting and meal before initiation tomorrow. Stately attire, no weapons.”
Soko stood in the doorway to Crow’s room, frowning. “No weapons?”
“Stately attire,” Crow groused.
Soko looked Crow up and down. “Speaking of which,” he began, then turned Crow by his shoulder and gave him a shove toward the bathroom. “Bath.”
Crow did as he was instructed, stripped and stepped into the deep, hot bath, and as soon as he’d sat down, he regretted not getting in the second he arrived. It was divine. Every minute he’d spent on horseback melted away, and he sank down, enjoying the bliss and silence—
Until Soko barged in, the invitation in one hand, a half-eaten apple in his other. He sat on the counter, not looking up from his note. “What do you think they’re like?”
Crow didn’t even bat an eyelid. “Who?”
Soko took a bite of apple. “The others. The Queen of Eastlands and the King of Southlands. We know enough on the Westlands, but the others. What do you think they look like? Should we make a wager?”
Crow snorted. “A wager?”
“Sure. I bet you a bottle of elderberry wine that the Southlands’ king has twigs for hair.”
Crow laughed incredulously. “That’s a bet I’ll be willing to take. And I don’t even like elderberry wine, but have you gone mad? Twigs for hair?”
“Well, his name’s Elmwood, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“And he’s king of the forest people.”
“Doesn’t mean he’s made of twigs. My name is Crow and do I look like I have feathers?”
Soko glanced up then. “No, but your hair is raven-black.” He gave a second look. “Needs washing, by the way.”
Crow rolled his eyes. “Thanks.”
“And Eastlands. What kind of name is Samiel?”
“It means desert wind,” Crow explained. “The Eastlands is of the desert people, Southlands is of the forest people, Westlands the water people, and we, the Northlanders, are from the air. We learned this when we were three years old, Soko.”
“We’re not really from the air, though, are we?” he replied.
“We live in the highest mountains and spend a good part of the year surrounded by cloud.”
“Mm, yes,” he allowed.
“Just like the people of the Westlands don’t live in the water. They live on it.”
“What do you think he looks like?” Soko pressed.
“The Westlands’ king? I have no idea.”
“Fancy he has gills?” Soko joked, his eyes bright with humour. “Scales, perhaps?”
“I would wager not.” Though Crow smiled at the thought.
“How’s your birthmark? Still burning?”
Crow lifted his arm out of the water and inspected the mark. Had it lessened? Or had he just got used to it? “Yes.”
“It will be interesting to see how your birthmark fares tonight when you meet the others for the first time, don’t you think?”
“Hm.” Crow frowned at the birthmark, at the circumstance he found himself in. “Yes.”
“Do you think their birthmarks burn as well?”
“I assume it’s some kind of guarantee to ensure we all turn up. I’m hoping tonight will be some ceremony to stop the pain. With a bit of luck, we can say hello, get rid of this stupid birthmark, then we can all leave early.”
Soko snorted. “I don’t think that is allowed.”
Crow grumbled and sank down lower in the tub.
Soko pushed off the counter and made his way to the