Aelethia's Hope. Leandra Martin

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СКАЧАТЬ and give aid to Ulric? He needs you more than I.”

      “Let’s see, how did that dispatch go? Ah, yes, natural leadership and head for strategy. Isn’t that the way you put it?”

      “Quoting my own words are we?” He smiled. “I didn’t expect you to come. Your arrival is a surprise.”

      “I know. Tis’ not an unpleasant one I hope.”

      “Not at all. I’m just wondering why.”

      “I felt you needed me more than Danyl does.”

      “How so?”

      “Your deployment of troops into Danyl is sufficient. If Ulric cannot keep his garrison fortified now, there would no use for me anyway. I’m at your disposal, cousin, just accept it and put me where you must.”

      Dain smiled again and sat in one of the chairs, tossing his feet up on a hassock. After Ruan’s back was sufficiently warmed, he sat down in the chair beside his king and sighed heavily again.

      “It’s truly good to see you, Ruan,” Dain said. “How long has it been?”

      “Eleven years next spring. Your coronation.”

      “That long? It seems like only yesterday we were causing trouble in the town square.”

      “Time does fly. I’m sorry I’ve not been here.”

      “You’re an earl now and a knight. That’s a huge responsibility, and I know how much time it takes. I don’t find fault in your absence. You’re here now.”

      “You look different to me, cousin. What’s changed?”

      “I’m a grown man now.”

      “That’s not what I meant. There’s something in your eyes that tells me something in your life has changed.”

      “I don’t know what you mean.”

      The door opened and Emerick walked in carrying a tray of glasses, a decanter of wine and a plate of cheese and bread. He set them on the table sitting between them and smiled at Ruan.

      “Emerick, you old goat. How in the hell are you?” Ruan jumped up and embraced Emerick with as much vivacity as he had when he was a boy.

      When they parted, Emerick held Ruan at arms length to get a better look at him. “For a man with multiple responsibilities, you don’t look a bit older than you did when I saw you last.”

      “Aging isn’t something I want to do at all, but if I must, gracefully is the better option. The ladies don’t seem to complain about it.”

      “I would think not. Is there a certain one?”

      “One? Emerick now you jest.”

      “You’ve not settled down yet, Ruan?”

      “Don’t even say things like that, Emerick. I just got a chill, and it isn’t from the damp leggings I’m still wearing either. Besides, I don’t know of any woman that has captured and ensnared the untamable Dainard Llewelyn either.” Emerick tossed Dain a look which he thought would be unnoticeable, but Ruan caught the exchange just the same. “What secrets do you hide from your cousin, Dain?” He shot him a look, then Emerick again, trying to get one of them to answer.

      Emerick answered, “I will let you two alone. I’m sure there are lots of things you need to catch up on.” He took the tray, which he had brought the food and drink in on, and placed it under his arm. He shot Dain another look, and left the room, closing the doors behind him.

      Ruan sat back down next to Dain in front of the fire. Dain poured a drink and handed it to his cousin, then took one for himself. He stared into the flames and was quiet. Ruan took a couple of sips of his wine, grabbed a hunk of bread and cheese and started to nibble. He waited, giving his king an opportunity to tell him what he wanted to know, then gave up. “Who is she, Dain?”

      “Who?”

      “The woman who obviously has you wrapped around her finger.”

      Dain looked at his cousin smiling. “I’m not wrapped around her finger. If anything, she’s wrapped around my heart.”

      “I knew it. You do look different, and now I know the reason. You’ve fallen in love.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe it. I never thought you’d cave, cousin.”

      “I didn’t cave, Ruan. I just grew up.”

      They were silent again for a few more minutes, drinking their ale and warming themselves, but Ruan couldn’t stand it.

      “She must be extraordinary to have ensnared you. Who is she? Some nobleman’s daughter? A countess? Who? I will not let you evade my questions. I’ll torment you until you spill. You know that I will.”

      Dain smiled. “Alright, cousin. But it’s a long story.”

      “I, for one, have nothing better to do for awhile. How about you?”

      Dain proceeded to tell Ruan about everything that had happened in the year that had passed. Ruan didn’t speak, only drank his fill of ale and ate his fill of food, listening with rapt attention to every detail Dain spoke about. They talked well into the night, and Dain and Ruan caught up on the last eleven years they had missed in each other’s lives. Despite what Ruan said, Dain could tell that he was jealous of his happiness. He, too, wanted to find the right woman; he just didn’t have anyone close enough to get him to see the mistakes that were preventing him from doing so. Someone like Alek. Ruan was a well-respected knight in the duke’s army and an earl, with a large household which he handled with fairness and equality. Dain was proud of all that his cousin had accomplished and didn’t really fault him for not finding a lady to settle down with. Having that many responsibilities didn’t give him a whole lot of time to find someone, or enough time to give them the attention they would undoubtedly deserve. Dain felt bad for Ruan. His cousin was a fine upstanding man; he had a tremendous amount of great qualities, not to mention his strikingly good looks. Dain had always thought Ruan had the better physical attributes, but Dain had just been better with his tongue. He could woo a maiden into doing anything, and in that respect, Ruan was more a winning guy, Dain a scoundrel.

      “Wow. I guess I have missed a lot since I’ve been away. I meant what I said earlier; you do look different. You look happy. When do I get to meet her?”

      “Soon I hope. I hope she’ll be back soon. I miss her.”

      “You sure know how to pick them.”

      Dain shrugged, blushing slightly. “Well I didn’t really know who she was until after I fell in love with her. There were rumors, but…” He shrugged again, leaving the implication hanging in the air.

      “I only heard the rumors a couple of months ago. Danyl is a bit far and secluded to be readily able to keep apprised of the latest goings-on. I never would have guessed that you and she would find each other. What are the odds?”

      “Small, but obviously not too small. I, for one, am extremely happy things happened the way they did, but sad that I can’t predict what the outcome will be.”

      “No СКАЧАТЬ