Ravenward by Steven Atwood

Author:Steven Atwood
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steven Atwood

Chapter 8

Queen Nina

* * *

Thea patted Dena's neck as she rode her down the cobblestone street. Why didn't Galin listen to her? He had no problem believing in magic, but not his brother's betrayal. Thea's grip tightened on the reins. This was going to be a bad day.

"Thea, hold up!" shouted a voice behind her.

Thea spun around in the saddle. "Robert, what do you want?"

The handsome young knight smiled as he approached. "More like, what did you do to piss off the king so badly?"

"Told the truth," Thea replied as she nudged Dena to move on. "What do you want? I just want to be alone."

"Talking does help," Robert said. "Besides, just because the king won't believe you doesn't mean I won't." He smiled. "Besides, who am I going to drink with if you leave the castle?"

Thea grinned. "It's only three in the afternoon."

"Yup, and we're both off duty. Sounds like a date to me. Unless you're too busy."

"Sure. You're buying the first round."

"As long as you buy the rest," Robert replied. "You're the one that's rich, remember. Rusted Feathers then?"

"No, not this time."

"Why not?"

"I—I'll tell you when we get to the other tavern," Thea said.

"We're not going to the Drow Inn and Tavern, are we? That place is a dive."

Thea nodded. "Yeah, and it's private. I'll tell you what I said to the king when we get there."

"Okay." Robert followed Thea to the Drow Inn and Tavern.

Thea's nose wrinkled as the vile odor of vomit ambushed her as she entered the tavern.

"What's that?" Robert asked, holding his nose.

"The usual end result of a whiskey-slamming contest. The loser always heaves on the floor," the old man said as he finished wiping up the vomit. "Can I get you two a drink?"

Thea look around at the empty tavern. The solid oak bar on the left wall only had two patrons sitting on its stools. "Is that—?"

"Who?" Robert said, following Thea as she moved closer to the couple.

"Brock? Sally? What are you doing here?" Thea asked.

Brock turned around with his mug in hand. "Sally wanted to relax, but not at—what's he doing here?"

"Who? Robert?" Thea replied.

"I don't think he's one of them," Sally whispered to Brock.

"If you're going to whisper, Sally, you need to be quieter. Besides, I'm here to help Thea. The king threw her out today. He was pretty upset," Robert said.

"May we join you?" Thea asked.

"Sally?" Brock asked.

"It's okay. We're friends, after all," Sally replied.

The old man appeared with two mugs of ale. "Here you go," he said as he slid the mugs across the bar to Thea and Robert.

"Thank you," Robert replied.

Thea and Robert sat side by side next to Brock. "The king—he didn't believe me," Thea said.

"Which part?" Brock asked.

"Hold on," Robert interrupted. "I thought you were going to tell me, Thea. If I'm going to help, you have to tell me what's going on."

"You're right," Thea said. "Last night Sally overheard some Dark Elves negotiate with Kade to help him overthrow the king."

Robert's face froze as if every muscle was unable to move.

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