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Elena nodded, chewing at the inside of her cheek. She remained silent about
the nervousness she sensed in her uncle. Something was truly bothering him.
She had never seen him jump at every noise. A popping log in the fire had
practically shot him to the raftered ceiling. And Uncle Bol was normally a
robust eater how he ate so much and stayed so wiry and muscular was a mystery
discussed among the female relatives of the family for years but tonight, like
Er ril, he had barely touched the piece of roast on his plate.
Uncle Bol returned, carrying new plates and forks. Nee lahn followed with the
spiced apple pie. The aroma of simmering apple and cinnamon swelled through
the room. Even Er ril seemed to brighten at the smell.
This new delay that seemed to so irk Er ril only lasted a short span. The pie
plate emptied quickly, and after much sighing in delight at the sweet taste,
the table was surrounded by full bellies.
Uncle Bol stood up.  I hope all have had their fill.
Groans of agreement answered him.
 Then I guess it s time I showed you your rooms for the night. I m afraid the
men will have to share one room, and Nee lahn and Elena the other.
Er ril raised his one hand.  About those unanswered questions.
Uncle Bol frowned.  Join me, Er ril, after we get everyone settled, for a
smoke by the fire. He turned to
Elena.  You join us, too, honey. There s words I must pass to you.
 What you need to say can be said among my companions, Er ril growled. Krai s
and Nee lahn s eyes glowed eagerly. Rockingham tried to feign disinterest, but
failed miserably.
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Her uncle rubbed at his mustache.  No, I don t think the Brotherhood would
appreciate that.
 What brotherhoo ? Elena began, but Er ril placed a hand on her shoulder and
squeezed her to silence.
 It s been a long time since I could relax with a pipe, Er ril said.  I look
forward to it. His words had an edge of menace.
 Good! Now let me show you the rooms.
Rockingham listened as the giant closed the door to their room. He could not
see the mountain man as
Krai then stripped out of his riding gear and climbed onto a cot. The bonds
that secured Rockingham to the bed his hands were tied to the pine headboard,
his feet to the posts at the foot of the bed limited his motion, blinding him
to all but the ceiling and a tiny section of the room. Then the single lamp
blew out, and even this cramped view vanished.
Rockingham lay stripped on his back under a heavy blanket. He crinkled his
nose. Though he might not be able to see the mountain man, he smelled him. The
odor of wet goats crept across the room to wrap around him; it was like
sleeping in a barn. He closed his eyes and tried to breathe through his mouth.
It didn t help. He tried to roll away on his side, but the ropes stopped him.
His bed creaked loudly with his efforts.
 I sleep lightly, Krai growled from the darkness.  Do not test me.
Rockingham stayed silent. What was the use of even trying? The ropes, though
not tight enough to chafe, were tied snug.
He lay still and found himself staring toward the rafters of the room. And why
would he even want to escape? Where could he go? Not the garrison, that was
for sure. Once word reached Lord Gul gotha that one of his lieutenants had
been beheaded and the girl he sought had escaped, his death would be one to
terrify the hardest soldier. He had seen what slunk through the bowels of
Blackhall s dungeons. He shivered under his thick blanket.
His only options were either to disappear and keep running, hoping the minions
of the Dark Lord never found him, or to stay with this group and look for a
chance to snatch the girl. She was the key to unlock his dungeon. Recovering
her would assuage the wrath of the Lord Gul gotha.
So he had not fought his kidnapping by the one-armed swordsman. Let them take
him far from town all the better. Don t resist. Let them relax their guard. He
could wait. A slight grin came to his lips at the thought of returning to
Blackhall with the girl in chains. That was worth waiting for.
As he dreamed of that moment, an itch blossomed in his crotch. Damn that
tavern wench and the lice she harbored! He tried to rub his legs together and
calm the crawling. It only worsened. To make matters worse, the giant began to
snore. Not a whispery nasal whistle, but a throaty rattle full of mucus and
phlegm. Each outburst made him cringe in disgust.
Rockingham clenched his eyes closed and squirmed quietly. It was going to be a
long night.
The tortures of Blackhall s dungeons now didn t seem quite so bad.
* * *
Er ril leaned on the mantel of the fireplace. Where was Bol? The others had
retired to their respective rooms, leaving Er ril alone with Elena. He watched
the girl stare at the fire. As she sat, swallowed by the deep cushioned
armchair, she seemed lost in the flames. A profound sadness shone past the
exhaustion in her face. For a child so young to be so violently uprooted, she
had a determined bearing about her that illuminated the strength of her
spirit.
Words of consolation tried to form in his mind, but it had been a long time
since Er ril had had the need to show compassion. He found his eyes settling
on the twitching flames. Time did not always grow wisdom, sometimes just
calluses.
His reveries were interrupted by the reappearance of the girl s uncle. He had
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two pipes in his hand.  The tobacco leaf is from the south of Standi, I [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]