Tauran had been adamant about keeping it a surprise.
Pounding at the door made Kalai flinch.
“It’s me!” Tauran called from the other side, and Kalai hurried to let him in.
Tauran leaned against the door frame, arms awkwardly around a large bundle wrapped in a tarp. A sweat-slick blond curl dangled over his brow. “I carried it all the way here,” he said, between breaths.
Kalai blinked and swiftly stepped aside so Tauran could enter. “Why didn’t you call for a coach?”
Tauran groaned as he hung the bundle over the staircase handrail. “I was in a bit of a rush.” Pushing back his hair, he sank onto the steps with a wince and extended his left leg.
Kalai fetched a glass of water from the kitchen and returned to him. Tauran’s cheeks were flushed from exertion.
“What happened?” Kalai asked, handing Tauran the glass.
Tauran drained the whole thing in one go and placed the empty glass on the floor. He frowned, seeming to wonder whether or not he should talk. “The saddle maker got arrested.”
Kalai’s lips parted. “What for?”
“Arrow’s saddle, I think.” Tauran groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know how they found out. I told Albinus the saddle was a gift for Sorcha. Catria’s dragon. She’s a swiftwing, too. They took him back to the guard grounds to question him.” He shook his head, frown deepening. “It doesn’t make sense, Kalai. Why would they arrest him for that? It’s not a crime for me to request a saddle for a friend, and it’s certainly not a crime for the guy to do his job.”
Kalai sat beside him. He thought about the rug and the pool of blood. Sky Guard. “Do you think he told them the saddle was for you? Will we be in trouble?”
“If he has, they’ll be here before the day ends. Just tell them what I said. It’s a gift for Catria, and you know nothing about it. We’ll hide it. Tell them I haven’t picked it up yet.” He sighed. “They’re likely just being overly cautious. Albinus will be released in the morning.”
Kalai couldn’t help a hint of guilt. He had made Tauran keep secrets about Arrow, had encouraged him to commission an illegal saddle, and now a man had been arrested for it. This wasn’t like him. If Aunt Iako had been here, she would have yelled at him.
“Hey.” Tauran’s hand was warm on Kalai’s shoulder. “None of this is your fault. It’s going to turn out fine. Don’t worry about it.” He smiled.
Kalai smiled back, but the expression faded. “There’s something you need to see,” he said. He gave Tauran a hand to stand, then brought him to the rug and flipped it over.
At the sight of the blood, Tauran swore. He kneeled and touched the wood below the rug, scrubbed clean. His fingers paused at the carved symbols. “What does it say?”
“Sky Guard,” Kalai said.
Tauran stepped back and gestured for Kalai to put the rug back in place. He rubbed a hand over his mouth. “Don’t tell anyone you found this. Not Falka, not anybody. We...” He hesitated, walked in a slow circle, then leaned against the desk. His expression was troubled. “We don’t know what happened. I’ll ask around tomorrow. See if I can’t find us some answers.” He reached for Kalai and Kalai went to him, fitting himself against Tauran’s side. Tauran tugged him close, the feeling of his broad, strong body soothing.
“Falka is a good man. He gave me everything I have. Roric, Catria, Emilian. I’d trust them all with my life. There’ll be an explanation for this, and I will bet my ass it won’t be nearly as bad as you think.” He gave Kalai’s shoulders an encouraging squeeze.
Some of the tightness in Kalai’s stomach gave way to relief. Tauran was right. Falka had been nothing but good to him, and Tauran had known the general for years. Kalai may not know the Sky Guard, but he trusted Tauran, and if Tauran wasn’t worried, then Kalai could sleep easy, too. Most importantly, Kalai’s revelation hadn’t shaken Tauran’s new optimism.
Kalai’s gaze drifted from Tauran to the bundle hanging on the handrail, and he saw Tauran’s smile from the corner of his eyes.
“Well?” Tauran pushed away from the desk, sliding his hand down Kalai’s shoulder to his hand, tangling their fingers. “Wanna see it?”
Kalai gripped Tauran’s hand, excitement and joy swelling inside him, leaving no room for doubt and worry. “Show me!”
Tauran returned to the stairs and gripped the tarp, pausing