Rachel Rossano - The Theodoric Saga (8 page)

“He becomes a bit intense at times.”

“Intense?” The room shifted. Labren dropped his head between his knees, thankful for the gentle pressure of Eve’s hand on his shoulder keeping him anchored to the floor.

“Perhaps Labren and Eve can explain everything at another time.” Professor Olof suggested from the other side of the room. “We have refreshment and a room to rest in if you should need…”

“I am not leaving Eve with that man.” Ruarc replied.

“I understand that. However, Labren needs her now.”

“May I suggest a tray be brought here,” Han suggested.

“Labren should be in bed,” Professor Olof pointed out.

“What is wrong with the bloke anyway?”

“Recent injuries are affecting his health.” Professor Olof pulled out a chair. “Will you please have a seat? I will gather something from the kitchen.”

Ruarc settled in the seat, but Labren could still feel the steely pressure of his glare.

“Are there any other family members of yours I should know about?”

“No.” Slender fingers slipped through his hair, lulling him toward sleep. “Our parents are dead, we only have each other.”

It was a feeling Labren couldn’t quite relate to. Ireic and he had never been particularly close, more from their parents’ choices than theirs. It was hard to have a relationship of any kind while physically miles apart. Besides, the price on his head didn’t help matters.

~~~

Chapter IV

Eve wanted to drop through the floor. Ruarc’s glare burned the air between him and Labren.

Thankfully, Labren appeared oblivious of the intense emotions emanating from her brother. His fingers trembled. Her stroking his head seemed to relax him, but he needed to be lying down in his own bed. Since Ruarc refused to let her out of his sight, she scrambled for a compromise.

“Might we use the front room? There is a couch there for Labren.”

“Perfect,” Professor Olof said. “We will move him.”

Han reappeared just in time to assist with trooping the whole party into the new room.

Ruarc continued to glower as Eve plumped pillows, unfolded and draped blankets, and then settled on the floor at Labren’s side. Perspiration coated his face. She tentatively claimed the hand resting on the blanket. He weakly squeezed her fingers before closing his eyes and relaxing against the cushions.

Ruarc claimed the chair closest to Eve, and Han purposefully placed one immediately to his left. Only the professor remained standing. Pacing the rug for a moment, he allowed them all to drink in the tension before suddenly breaking it.

“Master Ruarc…” He raised an inquiring eyebrow.

“Ruarc Ethan, Seaman Ethan if you desire.”

“Very well, do you mind if I call you Ruarc?”

Ruarc shrugged. “I have never been one to stand on formality.”

“Eve hasn’t volunteered much about her past so far. Perhaps you would be willing to enlighten us?”

“I don’t know much more than her.”

Han stepped. “She mentioned your father. Is he living?”

“If he was, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“Why?”

“Eve and I would be free citizens. She wouldn’t be married to this…” Another slur. “And we would not be here.”

Feeling sorry for Han, Eve decided to help. “Our father was a free man. Our mother was a slave woman owned by a friend. Father had partially purchased her from the friend when he died.”

Her brother interrupted. “The bastard wouldn’t honor the fact Father paid over eighty percent of the price upon his death. He claimed all three of us. He sold me within a month and I was at sea before the season changed.”

Tears burned unbidden in her eyes. Eve blinked them back. “Mother died in childbirth that winter. He sold me to Mridle before her body grew cold.”

Ruarc grunted. “I made him pay.”

“So, you are still a slave?” Olof asked.

“Hardly. You don’t see any collar here, do you?” Ruarc bared a naked neck. “I worked off my price a couple years back. I was just coming back for Eve.” He pulled a leather bag from beneath his belt and dumped it on the table with a thunk. “That was to buy her freedom. A pretty hefty sum of gold considering she is of childbearing age and attractive.” He eyed Labren. “Is there a chance that he would accept it and release her?”

“I told you. I have chosen to stay.”

Ruarc studied her.

Eve met his gaze and tried to look as determined as she felt. Labren might not love her now or ever love her, but he was unerringly kind and considerate. Prince or criminal, she promised him before the Kurios that she would be his wife. Ruarc would just have to accept that.

Jaw set, blue eyes blazing, and barely restrained anger in every line of his face, her brother looked just as stubborn.

“Fine. But, I am not sure you are making a good choice.” He swiped the pouch from the table and tucked it back under his belt.

Eve dropped her eyes to Labren’s hand in hers. His long fingers were cold against hers, a sign that the fever was back. She watched him shift on the pillows, sweat glistening on his face.

The dinner tray arrived. In his movements, Olof crossed to claim Labren’s other hand. His features immediately tightened.

“You are welcome to stay with us, Ruarc, until you are convinced. However, I am going to insist Labren be removed to his room.”

“The fever is back?” Han moved to call for assistance.

“I am afraid so.”

“I want to speak with Eve alone.” Ruarc stood, confronting Professor Olof.

Olof studied him for a moment before shaking his head. “Trahern needs her and his health is more important than your right to answers. You will be given plenty of opportunity later, perhaps tomorrow.”

Ruarc opened his mouth to protest, but the arrival of three large young men stalled him. Eve made efforts to making everything ready and ignored his efforts to catch her attention.

Early the next morning, Eve encountered her brother coming down the stairs when she was climbing up them. A laden breakfast tray filled her arms. Ruarc exploded.

“What are you doing? He expects you to wait on him, fetching this or that. You are no better than a slave, Eve. I heard that professor man last night. That man’s health is more important to them than yours. They don’t value you here. Come away with me and you will be truly free.”

“No. You don’t understand. I promised to care for him in sickness and in health.”

Ruarc scoffed as he took the tray from her. “I think he is getting the better end of that deal.” She led him up the remaining stairs.

“I promised.” She opened the door to the bedroom. “Besides, he treats me like an equal.”

Ruarc lifted the tray until it was even with her nose. “And this is a service that a common maid can render. Not the chore of a valued wife and equal.”

“I do it because I care for him, Ruarc, not because I have to. You don’t seem to understand that I want to do this. Now give it here. He isn’t dressed yet and I don’t want you disturbing him.”

“Eve?” He caught her arm, suddenly serious. “You know I protest because I care. I am not leaving without you unless it is clear that you are being valued far higher than a servant.”

“Ruarc, I am.”

He frowned, but Eve didn’t know how to convince him at that moment. Labren needed food and her own stomach was grousing. She left her brother standing in the empty hallway and slipped into the bedroom.
Kurios, please open his eyes. Let him see that I need to be here and do this.

Despite the presence of Ruarc always lingering underfoot, Eve’s life settled into a routine. She woke early, breakfasted with Labren, and then returned the tray to the kitchen on the way to her lessons. Ruarc sat in on every one, silently watching to be sure no one hurt her.

Labren appeared at lunch, assisted down the stairs by Han. Then the afternoon stretched into more lessons. Evening brought instrument practice, dancing instructions, and finally etiquette. By the time she finished her last lesson, dinner appeared in the dining room. Promptly afterwards, Labren needed assistance back to his room and Eve began her homework.

Labren’s fever returned most nights. He alternated sweating and convulsing with cold. Each transition woke her because he pulled the covers on or off. Then the following morning, she began the whole regime again.

A month passed. Olof spoke of sending a letter to Prince Hiaronical to find out the state of the situation in the Anavrean court.

Labren opposed the idea because it would place his uncle in a tricky political position, knowing the whereabouts of an enemy of the state. He didn’t want to place a strain on the already weakening ties between his father and uncle.

The argument took center place at each dinner. Olof built up a list of reasons for and Labren skillfully knocked each support down. Eve watched it all with a growing admiration for her husband’s skill and knowledge. Her brother, on the other hand, watched in stormy silence that grew gradually calmer with each meal. By the end of a week, he took his place at the table and glanced at each opponent waiting with obvious interest to see who would attack first. Olof invariably opened the conversation. Before the main course appeared the debate reached full swing.

Eve woke after an unusually difficult night to find snow-like sleet icing the windows. She crept from the bed, dressed quickly before the fire, and slipped out without Labren stirring. When she returned with the tray, Labren opened his eyes.

“Thank you, Eve.” He carefully lifted himself up so that he could lean back against the headboard. “I am not sure I am up for coming down for lunch today. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“I know. You tossed and turned. Shouldn’t the fever be gone by now?”

“I would expect the same.” He rubbed his face with the heels of his hands. “I will have to ask Olof when I see him this morning. How did you sleep?”

An urgent rapping at the door interrupted her reply.

“Professor Olof wishes to see you in his office, Eve,” Han informed her when she opened the door. “I will see that Trahern eats his breakfast and take care of the tray. You better move along quickly. Olof is in a real tizzy about something your brother just told him.”

“Do you know what it is about?”

“He mentioned something about patrols.”

Catching her wrap from the end of the bed and throwing it around her shoulders, Eve hurried out the door. After a quick trot down the stairs and she reached the office door within a few minutes. Heartbeat thumping wildly in her chest and hunger gnawing in her stomach, she tapped on the ornately carved wood.

“Come.”

Olof paced, eating up the carpet in long gangly strides. Ruarc stood to one side of the desk, arms crossed over his barrel chest, observing the older man.

“I told you it was foolish to think that they wouldn’t find him. What is his crime anyway?”

“Ah, Eve, there you are. Please tell me how many patrols passed the caravan on a given day.”

“One or two every week, sir.”

“Different patrols? Composed of different men?”

“Yes.”

“Were they wearing livery?”

“No, their clothes were what I expected of bounty hunters.”

“Worse than I thought. How many to a patrol?”

“Six.”

Olof shook his head. “It doesn’t match the description. It must be someone else.”

The front bell rang, echoing through the empty front hall. All three of them listened with forced calm. A moment later young feet approached the study door at a run.

“Soldiers in Anavrean royal livery at the door, Professor.” The young man’s eyes flickered from face to face. “Miz Abrigail would like to know when she should admit them.”

Olof jumped forward, catching Eve’s arm as he strode for the door. “You and Trahern need to hide now.” He waved the boy out ahead of him. “Tell her to give us three minutes to clear the first floor and then stall them in the front room.”

The lad nodded and disappeared back the way he had come.

“Ruarc go assist with the stalling.” He ordered over his shoulder.  “Most likely they are from the King and have tracked Trahern here.” He paused as though realizing something. Dropping his grip on her forearm, he pinned her brother with a piercing gaze sharp enough to draw blood. “If you want your sister to make it through this day alive, you make sure those men don’t reach the second floor until I return. Understood?”

“Yes.” His jaw tightened and a hard glint flickered in his eyes.

Olof took the hall at a trot and the back servant stairs two at a time. Eve’s heart hammered in her chest by the time they reached the second floor. Han and Labren waited for them outside the bedroom door. Labren leaned against the wall, his face tight. Han held a blanket roll under one arm.

Upon seeing them, Han immediately began running down a mental list in a hushed hurry, ticking them off on his fingers. “Their belongings are already stowed. The wagon and horses went to the farmer last week. All the students are already trained to withhold any details. You just need to give them the signal.”

Olof nodded. “Good. I will.” He turned to address Eve. Steely blue eyes bored into hers. “You and Trahern must hide now.”

“Which room?” Labren asked.

“We are not going to be able to get you into the cellar, but Han put you in the supply room upstairs. I will go back down the way we came and stall them as long as possible. Han, come down to the offices as quickly and silently as you can. I will expect you there.”

With those final instructions, he strode back toward the servants’ stairs. Eve offered Labren a shoulder for support. He accepted it, shifting weight from the wall to her.

“All right,” Han offered Labren a slight smile. “Don’t make a sound and follow me.”

Eve could hear Abrigail answering the front door in the entranceway below. Any noise they might have made was covered by the sounds of stomping boots and the voices below.

The weight of Labren’s body leaning on her reminded Eve of their trek in the woods. It seemed like ages ago to her. Yet, she knew only a few months passed.

Han reached the door to the stairs a few minutes before Eve and Labren. He waited as they carefully and steadily covered the short distance. Labren’s leg was healing, but he had lost a lot of his strength. She strengthened her grip on his waist as they joined Han.

The climb up the stairs required more strength than Labren had. In the end, Han practically carried him to the top. Eve, carrying the blankets, followed them. After that, it was much easier. Han led them quickly across the large room that served as a recreation area and stage for the students. On the other side, he unlocked a small door.