Path of Kings by James Dale

Author:James Dale [dale, james]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-20T22:00:00+00:00

Part IV

Chapter Nineteen

Along the Elfway

"One dance couldn't hurt." Jack muttered ruefully, and not for the first time since waking. "What the hell was I thinking?"

It had been harmless enough at first, flirting with pretty Natrina Caillin; widowed Baroness of East Thondil, possessor of smoky eyes and ample bosom. She had a ready laugh and a sharp mind, and she felt oh so pleasantly soft dancing in his arms. The trouble however, was one innocent dance became two, then four, with a glass of wine in between each. Before he realized what had happened, he was outrageously drunk and Natrina had her arm wrapped intimately around his waist and her head snuggled on his shoulder. That he had somehow awakened in his own bed, alone and fully clothed, was nothing short of a miracle. For which Jack humbly thanked Jesus and Buddha and Krishna and all the angels in heaven, with a special aside to their earthly envoy Kirk Vanar. The thought he could just have easily have opened his eyes this morning to a delicate situation instead of just raging hangover sent a shiver down his spine.

"What the hell had I been thinking?"

"Did you say something Horse-brother?" Eaudreuil asked.

"No." Jack muttered. "Now would you please stop fidgeting? I can't buckle this damned girth strap!"

"Having trouble?" the roan inquired with an innocent nicker.

"Yes. And I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't shout so."

"Am I shouting?"

"Please!" Jack groaned. "Is it too much to ask you hold still for one second? The leather on this new saddle is stiff." The fact he was having difficulty focusing his bloodshot eyes wasn't helping. Neither was the queasy sensation of the world seemingly having developed an unusual wobble in its orbit this morning.

"You smell...strange Horse-brother," the stallion snorted. "And your hands seem to be shaking. Are you sure you are fit to ride?"

"Eaudreuil..."

"Sorry."

"There!" Jack sighed as the buckle finally slipped into place. "Now please...for the love of God hold still." With an effort requiring all his concentration, Jack placed a booted foot in the stirrup and swung up onto the roan's broad back. His head throbbed with murderous fury at the sudden movement and his stomach rolled ominously. Eaudreuil pranced sideways a few steps, further testing his equilibrium, but he somehow remained in the saddle.

"Perhaps you are fit to ride after all," the Val'anna admitted grudgingly. "Barely."

"Very funny," Jack said through tightly clenched teeth. "Now can you cut out the jokes and take us to the front gate? And slowly please?"

"Whatever you say Horse-brother," the roan beamed with unguarded amusement.

At the entrance to the Arthol estate, Braedan found Vanar and the Lions already assembled. Count Arthol was waiting as well, and gathered behind the count was the entire household staff, come to see him off. It was Gweneveare who commanded his gaze however. The look she gave him as Eaudreuil stopped before her was cold enough to freeze the fires of Hell itself.

"Is there a parade this morning I haven't heard about?" asked Jack as he slid from the saddle.

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