The Sentinel of Cassendar Book One: The High Captain by C Tarkington

Author:C Tarkington [Tarkington, C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-02-14T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Leal put his crown on his head and glanced in the mirror to make sure everything looked in place for the evening. He wasn’t looking forward to escorting the Navalian princess for another night, but he was excited to see Dracia. She had been angry with him for a few days after he came to see her in the tavern. She did not like what he asked her to do.

He knew she was planning on going back out into the kingdom to see about other raiding parties she was afraid existed. He could not bear the idea of her going back out there so soon after being injured. Her arm was healing well, but it still had a long red line from wrist to midway up her forearm, showing just how severe the cut had been. He knew he could not keep her safe in the Fortress forever, but he didn’t want her riding off all over the kingdom for weeks, not knowing what she was facing.

He asked her to send out groups of scouts throughout the kingdom. Small forces could check all areas and see if there were enemy soldiers around the kingdom, ready to strike Winsdell. At least that way, she wouldn’t be gone for weeks, and if she had to ride out, she would know what awaited her.

She didn’t like him planning things out for her. She didn’t want him to think he had to protect her. Even when Roderick said it was a good plan, she resisted. Leal tried to make her understand he was not trying to go over her head. He was just trying to help her. They should share their burdens with each other. When he was king, and she was his queen, he would want her to help him rule. He would depend on her advice and skills.

She finally relented a few days later, admitting it was a good plan. After several nights apart, he was finally able to go to her, happy to be near her again. He didn’t want ever to be apart from her. The nights they shared gave him the strength to face the lonely, hard days where he had to listen to Princess Lilith prattle on about a future that would never be.

“All ready, your highness?” asked Malven as Leal walked into his sitting room.

“Yes, I believe so. If I can get down a little early, I can speak with Princess Lilith and get that over with. Hopefully, I can dance with her first and be done with her.”

“She is very insistent that she will be your wife,” said Malven. “The whole palace is talking of it. Many have asked me to confirm.”

“And what do you say, Malven?”

“I say that I do not discuss your personal business,” replied Malven.

“That is the correct answer, but what do you really say?”

“I do tell anyone who asks that I do not discuss your personal affairs, but I also said, if I were a betting man, I would put my money on the princess going back to Navalia very unhappy.

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