CHAPTER 29 With a Hi-Ya and a Swoosh!

CHAPTER 29

With a Hi-Ya and a Swoosh!

Rufus

I absentmindedly watched Slake Drakeford, Adventurer Extraordinaire, napping in a sunny spot on the lawn.

We were running past when the lunch should have come to its conclusion, but someone was keeping everyone in their seat.

“Then I slew the kraken with a hi-ya and a swoosh! ” The royal sitting one seat away from me was regaling his cousin with his new spear form and his last trip to the Depths of Despair Dungeon. The duke patiently listened to the excited prince, nodding every so often.

The grimalcat flicked his tail in his sleep, and it inspired me to move. I was the only person here, aside from Slake, of course, high enough in the order of precedence to directly greet royalty without reserve. I waited for a natural pause—difficult to spot, but I was a master of communication—and stood up to draw attention.

“Prince Zachary, Duke Wyldon,” I spoke firmly, bobbing a shallow bow. “As the luncheon draws to a close, I would like to thank you on behalf of Nilheim and my king for your gracious hospitality. A toast, and happy birthday.”

The garden clinked with glasses as everyone hurriedly toasted, many eyes alight with relief.

“Happy birthday, Cousin!” The prince joined in the toast with an easy smile.

“Thank you, Commander General.” The duke nodded, his otherwise stoic shoulders visibly relaxing under my keen senses. His eyes sharpened as we locked gazes, and he continued. “I’ll be escorting Prince Zachary for the rest of the evening. I hope you have the opportunity to relax, and maybe keep my other guest company while I’m away.”

His eyes snapped to the house and back to me .

“Of course.” I smiled, flashing my teeth. I was sure it frustrated the man to allow me the opportunity to investigate Lady Tate first , but our kingdoms had an agreement to work together on the molten ash vane assassinations. “Send my regards to Their Majesties.”

The prince drew himself up and gave a well-trained regal nod that seemed out of place on the young man. He adopted a neutral and dignified frown as he said, “I shall convey your message, Commander General.”

The prince’s show of regal poise was broken when he promptly looked to his cousin for approval. I resisted the urge to smile and pretended I didn’t see.

With that, Duke Wyldon stood. “Then I would like to thank everyone for coming.”

Prince Zachary and the duke left via the stairwell and through the double doors.

I shook my head as they left. For some reason, the duke hadn’t informed the prince that he’d been attacked by an assassin moments before Prince Zachary showed up.

That was going to bite him in the family bonding later, but that wasn’t my business … as much as I wanted to intervene for no other reason than I was nosy.

I sent Brownie a smile as everyone packed up and left the gardens. She was still playing gentle background music, and would continue until every guest left.

Lord Peter waved and called out that he’d hopefully see me tomorrow in the capital as the guardswoman who’d taken a fall during the attack stepped forward to bring me to the prisoner.

She led me through a side door.

The duke’s estate had a holding cell that seconded as a pantry, and I could see Lady Tate inside the room through the barred windows on the hallway door. Outside the door stood two guards and a man of unknown race dressed in clothes favored by underwater inhabitants, with thin flexible woven tights that only came to the low calf, and a skintight, high-neck tunic without sleeves. The man looked like he wasn’t wearing any shoes, but in fact, he simply had on a flat leather pad held onto each foot by a loop around the big toe.

“We were expecting you. Do not worry, the room is barred against sound—she cannot hear us.” The man nodded a greeting, meeting my golden eyes with murky greenish-gray orbs. His silver hair fell to his shoulder on the right side; the left had been clean shaven. His skin had a gray-blue tint. “My name is Pjori Galr. I’m a Soothfinder from Tevl.”

I smiled and returned his greeting. “Commander General Rufus, but you may call me Rufus. I did not realize that Duke Wyldon was working with the Coraldark.”

Tevl was an underwater ocean city in the bay of Norn Island, a large island off the southeast coast of Servalt. The people there were hostile to land dwellers, and prone to raid the Sumbrian coastal villages. Anyone seeking their city without an invitation was found beneath the steep island cliffs. At least, their bodies were found there, washed ashore after their ships were dashed against the rocks.

“As much as he is working with the Dark Enchanted Forest,” Pjori mused, looking through the bars in the door to the awaiting Lady Tate. “I’m enjoying my stay here so far; Servalt is not one to judge where you came from.”

It was true. The place was no meritocracy, but the monarchs were adamant on fairness between its upper and lower echelons. And many were accepted into bureaucratic positions or trades based on skill. They didn’t make just anyone a noble, but some people could earn the title through merit or great deed.

“Is there something you are looking to find out specifically?” I asked, crossing my arms.

Pjori shook his head. “My princess is going to be attacked soon, and I’ve been sent to find out more before it happens.”

“Did you receive a message from Madame Potts?”

“No.” He didn’t explain further even after a pause, so I would assume it came from Pjori’s soothsaying or another Clairvoyant class in the Coraldark.

I cracked my neck and rolled up my tunic sleeves. “Then, between a Soothfinder and my Mediator, I’m sure we will find something. It’s too bad the duke is otherwise engaged.”

Pjori smiled, and I noticed his teeth were just the tiniest bit pointy. “He’s going to miss all the fun.”