One Land, One Duke by Emerson Ru

Author:Emerson, Ru [Emerson, Ru]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Adventure / Thriller
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2012-03-04T23:00:00+00:00

13

Enardi and Edrith were ahead of the guard by a few short paces; they pushed by the mule to kneel at Jennifer's side. “Are you all right?” Enardi asked aloud, adding in a very low voice, “Let me talk as much as possible, I think I can divert any suspicion."

Edrith laid a trembling hand against her forehead, nodded, and said in a voice that carried even less: “It's the same men; be careful, both of you.” Jennifer sighed wearily, let her eyes close and shifted her weight slightly so she could curl into Dahven's arms.

"What trouble here?” a cold voice broke into a too-short, welcome silence. It was the guard-master who'd interviewed her at the inn. It wanted only this, she thought even more wearily, but pried her eyes open and managed to lean away from Dahven.

"I'm sorry you've had trouble with me twice,” she said, and offered him a tentative smile. She might as well have been smiling at a brick wall; the guard-master leaned against the wagon, one leg crossed over the other, arms folded, face chill in its lack of expression. There were four others, one just pressing past him; another knelt by the guard Karadan, and two had gone on up the alley to begin testing the door. Jennifer glanced that direction, nodded. “They went through there—"

"We saw.” The guard-master shrugged himself away from the wagon, walked around Enardi, past Edrith to stand behind Jennifer. He folded his arms again, stared down at Dahven, who looked reluctantly up. “Why don't you simply give us your real name, sir?” he went on abruptly.

Dahven shook his head. “I don't—"

"Before someone is hurt,” the guard broke in flatly. “Such as this lady has already been? Or before the lady is killed? It's said Lord Dahven holds her high in his regard."

Dahven's shoulders sagged. No! Jennifer mouthed at him anxiously—too late. His eyes closed briefly; he nodded then.

"He does,” Dahven said, and gave her a faint smile. “Though a man would never know it, seeing the way she's been used.” He set her fingers aside and got to his feet. “I am Dahven, Dahmec's son. Not his murderer—but that's not for you to decide, is it?"

"No, Honor."

Dahven laughed. “Not Honor, you know. My brothers hold that title; they preface my name these days with ‘the traitor,’ or didn't you know?"

"The will has not yet been satisfactorily proven."

"Oh? How that must please my brothers.” Dahven's smile vanished. “Never mind. If you must take me—"

"Then I go with him,” Jennifer announced as she let Edrith help her up. Dahven opened his mouth; she closed the distance between them and set her hand on his lips, turned back to face the guard. “It is surely the man's right to be represented by counsel. I am his advocate.” Behind her Dahven said something; Jennifer reached back to take hold of his fingers but held her ground.

For the first time, she saw something like an expression on the guard-master's face—it might have been the beginnings of a smile.

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