Wrought of Silver and Ravens by E. J. Kitchens

Author:E. J. Kitchens [Kitchens, E. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brier Road Press
Published: 2020-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

26

Athdar

Murray was sitting on the fountain’s broad rim well before dawn the next morning, and it occurred to Athdar to wonder if his countryman had been there all night. That didn’t stop him from starting with what needed to be said first.

“She’s a little girl, Murray,” he said in a harsh whisper in their own language. “What were you thinking?”

“She’s an enchantress.” Murray’s voice was only weakly defensive as he rose.

“She’s still a little girl, and you were scaring her.”

“I wasn’t going to hurt her,” Murray said, exasperated. “I was trying to help her up and see if she was okay. If some of her magic did happen to leak into my hands and into my magic collection, what of it?” He looked down at his hands, flipping them over and ignoring Athdar’s scowl. “It’s like her magic just jumped out at me. Most don’t know anything is happening. I don’t understand.”

“There’s no need to understand. Just don’t touch the princesses.”

“I’ll remember that when they invite me to dinner.” One corner of Murray’s mouth twitched up. “Is there . . . um . . . one you favor, Athdar Owain?”

Words stuck in his throat. “Don’t be ridiculous,” he said at last.

“I’ll admit she’s a little young.”

“Huh?”

Murray grinned. “Now that one is more your age.”

“I’m a man of Deyrnas,” Athdar hissed. “She’s an enchantress. I’m a guard; she’s a princess. She bursts into flame and shocks with magic. There’s no way—”

“You’re a man; she’s a woman. Argue with that one.”

Words bottled up in his throat again. Perhaps this was why he’d rarely talked to Murray when they were growing up. It was a frustrating experience. “Despite that, there’s still no way. Not that I care for her.”

“Is this a hypothetical her or a particular one?”

“It doesn’t matter,” he snapped, “just don’t try to collect magic from the princesses.”

Holding up his hands, palms out, Murray backed up a step, eyes still merry. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Sighing, Athdar rubbed the back of his neck. Perhaps he was being overzealous in his new position. “Sorry, Murray. Attacks on the royal family are fairly common, and the little girl looked at me like I was some sort of monster.”

Murray flinched. “Understood. I wouldn’t have touched her if I’d known it would hurt her. Or hurt me, come to think of it. I really was trying to help. Her landing was pretty hard.” He jerked his chin toward the left. “Quieter place?”

Athdar nodded, and they walked to the cathedral’s courtyard.

“What news of our people?” Athdar asked as he surveyed the place for trouble. It seemed safe enough this time, quiet and peaceful and greener than most spots in the city.

“What news do you expect? Hunted and scattered.” Lips pressed tight, Murray plucked a leaf-laden twig off a shrub and began ripping up the tiny leaves. “My clan has fared better than most. They’re in Prenia.” He paused, seemingly unwilling to look Athdar in the eye, and Athdar found he couldn’t breathe for a dreaded sense of hope, a foolish one he couldn’t stop.

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