The Wolf Prince by Claire M Banschbach

Author:Claire M Banschbach [Banschbach, Claire M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Campitor Press
Published: 2018-08-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Rose woke with the dawn. The dim, grey light filtering through the narrow pane grew stronger the longer she resisted the call to rise. She breathed a sigh of relief at the silence.

The rain had stopped.

She peeked over the edge of her blanket. The boys were still asleep across the room. She crawled out from her nest of blankets, sliding her feet back into her boots and grimacing at the residual dampness. She laced up her tunic and re-tied her mess of hair. Her damp curls had dried to a frizzy tangle. She gave them one last half-hearted pat and sighed. It’ll be a nightmare trying to untangle that later.

She took the bucket on her way out the door, still full of murky water from the previous night. They’d need fresh water. Maybe she could use it to do something with her hair. She paused at the foot of the bed where Lars lay sandwiched between the wall and Killian.

“Good morning!” She inserted an extra dose of cheerfulness into her voice.

Lars pulled the blanket over his face. “Go away. Just a few more hours.”

Killian burrowed his head under the pillow and growled. Rose smothered a laugh. She’d have to see if Jannik had any kaffe or they might never get Lars moving.

“I’m going t’ get water.”

Lars mumbled a reply through the blanket and Rose rolled her eyes, heading downstairs. Jannik was already up, stirring at the fire.

“Where can I get some water?” Rose held up the bucket.

Jannik looked up in surprise. “Your brother didn’t offer?”

“Oh, I don’t mind. He’s not much of an early riser. Have any kaffe?”

“Aye, I’ll have t’ cook heat some water. Well’s through there.” He pointed at the door set behind the bar. Rose thanked him with a smile.

Clouds still gathered, their sober countenance reflected in the pools that filled the cobbled courtyard. She dumped the old water, picking her way across the yard by way of the stones that rose above the water like tiny islands. A hint of coolness carried through the air on a light breeze.

Rose studied the sky as she cranked the handle to haul fresh water. The clouds looked to have spent most of their fury, but she wouldn’t be surprised to see a few drizzles later. Hopefully it would hold off long enough for them to get back on the road.

She filled the bucket and made her way back to the inn, water sloshing dangerously in the bucket as she tried to save her boots another soaking.

“I tell you, they said it was Prince Lars ‘imself!” An excited voice halted her just outside the door.

“Prince Lars?” Jannik’s voice dripped with doubt.

“Aye, an’ his brother Killian, t’ wolf prince,” the first speaker said.

“Wolf? Just a story isn’t it?” Someone else chimed in.

“Not anymore. Seems a sorcerer or somesuch changed ‘im t’ a wolf. Now they’re wandering Calvyrn with a Ranger doing good deeds t’ break the spell.”

“And where’d you hear this?” A woman spoke this time.

“Heard it from Holt, who ‘ad it from a merchant that came through from Fjorn.

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