The Ranger's Path: The King's Ranger Book 2 by AC Cobble

Author:AC Cobble [Cobble, AC]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cobble Publishing LLC
Published: 2020-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

13

They ate supper in awkward silence.

Rew had directly threatened Baron Worgon and Captain Graewald, but both men knew they deserved it. They’d risked Raif’s life to determine just how capable Anne was with the foolish conceit she might consider joining them. It was the sort of thing Vaeldon’s nobility did in the secure confines of their keeps, surrounded by stout walls and steel. It was the sort of thing that they rarely suffered for. Suffering was the burden of others, the commoners. But rare did not mean the same thing as never, and any noble of Vaeldon was aware their actions could come back to bite them, and when they did, they were prepared to tuck their tails like cowed dogs. Pride bowed before the need to survive.

Typically, such a comeuppance would be at the hands of a more powerful noble, but every now and then, it came from sharp steel and determination. Both Worgon and Graewald realized that Rew was capable of slaying them and that he was willing to face whatever consequences he faced for such an act. Which, the truth was, may be no consequences at all. He was the king’s agent. Against such resolve, there was nothing they could say, nothing they could do, so they did neither. Instead, they ate, and they drank.

Rew scowled across the table at the baron, who was studiously avoiding his gaze. The man was a scoundrel, but even Rew had to admit he wasn’t any worse than the rest of them. Sighing, Rew lifted his wine and took a slow sip. Not a big sip, not as much as he wanted, but enough to take the edge off, to slow his heartbeat, to still his hands that twitched, wanting to grab his sword.

Raif, it seemed, was unsure about what had happened, and the boy sat quietly, confused, his eyes darting between Worgon and Rew. During the incident, his vision had been blocked by his visor, and he hadn’t noticed Captain Graewald’s sword rising to impale him. The women had been watching the fight, but during the heat of the engagement, they weren’t experienced enough to have caught Graewald’s move. They’d all seen Rew threaten both Graewald and Worgon, though, and they’d been shocked by it. Shocked, until the baron didn’t demand Rew be locked in manacles and imprisoned. Worgon had done nothing except to call for his servants to right the table and bring a fresh selection of food and drink.

The children didn’t understand the game that was being played, but they’d seen enough to know that they didn’t understand, so they kept their lips sealed.

“The Investiture, you understand?” the baron had asked Rew once he’d stood and his servants had brushed off his clothing. “No hard feelings.”

“I meant what I said, Worgon,” Rew had replied.

The baron had waved off Captain Graewald, who’d been loitering about as if unsure whether he was supposed to continue the fight with the ranger or join him for a glass of wine. The big man had exhaled a sigh of relief when the baron offered Rew a glass.

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