Sentinelspire - Mark Sehestedt [47]
"I don't know where you are from, young man," she said. "But here, it is considered polite to give your name when introducing yourself to the lady of the house."
"1, uh, I-" Lewan swallowed hard and took a breath to calm himself. "I am called Lewan."
"Called by whom?"
"My… my master. Berun."
Lewan risked a glance at her face and was surprised to see a look of genuine sorrow there.
"That is part of what we must speak about, Lewan. But first"-she spread her hands, as if presenting a gift -"I bid you welcome to Sentinelspire. I hope Ulaan has fulfilled her duties in making you comfortable."
"Uh, she has, my lady. She brought me these clothes. I told her how hungry I am and she, uh-" Lewan gestured at the platter of food.
"Forgive me, Lewan," said Talieth. "You've been through quite an ordeal the past few days. Please. Sit. I will speak while you refresh yourself."
Quite an ordeal. Lewan had to force himself not to grit his teeth as he walked to the table and sat upon the stool. He looked to the platter-anything to keep his eyes off Talieth. Beside a large metal pitcher of water and a silver bowl of wine was a plate of meat sliced almost parchment thin. Rare beef, he thought, though he couldn't be certain. Beside that was a small loaf of dark bread and various raw vegetables and fruits-most of them out of season, yet they seemed fresh off the vine. He poured water into the empty cup, drained it, then set about devouring the food.
An ordeal. Those words reminded Lewan exactly why he was here. These people had hunted him and his master, bound them, speared and poisoned him, and… and Berun was dead. The grapes he'd been chewing seemed to turn to ashes in his mouth. His spirit, which had been lifted at the wondrous sight of the fortress, sank, and in its place a hot anger filled him. It didn't banish his fear, but his desire to defer and mind his manners before this "lady" was suddenly gone.
Lewan forced himself to swallow, then asked, "Why am I here?"
"You are here to rest. After what happened, you need it."
"What… happened? What happened… happened because of you."
Lewan risked a glance up. Talieth stood beside the foot of his bed, looking down on him. He could not tell if she was angry or shocked at his boldness. Her lips pursed as she considered his words, then broke into a very unladylike grin.
"Bold," she said. "I admire boldness in a man." She sat on the stool next to him and smoothed her skirt as she gathered her thoughts. "What happened out there was… unfortunate. Sauk had orders to bring your master here. It grieves me that Sauk had to resort to violence-gods know he probably didn't hesitate-but you must understand, Lewan. We are in desperate need. Your master was our best hope."
"Not anymore," said Lewan. He managed to hold her gaze for a moment, but he dropped it and looked back to his food. Still, his voice did not tremble when he said, "My master is dead because of Sauk."
"I'm sorry, Lewan," said Talieth. Lewan looked up in shock at the tone in her words. Her voice seemed on the edge of breaking. Tears welled in her eyes. "So sorry. I… loved him, too. Once. Did he ever speak of me to you?"
Lewan tried to hold on to his anger, but seeing the lady's sorrow, he could not. He even felt a twinge of guilt for telling her the truth. "No, lady. No. My master… I never knew him as anything but Berun, a servant of the Oak Father. His life before… I'm sorry, lady, but it's all very new to me. He never spoke of it."
"Well, then"-she wiped at her tears and took a deep breath through her nose, forcing herself back into the calm composure of the lady of the manor -"it seems that you and I have many things to tell one another. I would very much like to speak with you of your master. I… miss him. Very much."
Much to his horror, Lewan felt tears rising in his own eyes. His throat felt suddenly thick. He would not cry in front of this woman. His rising tears made him angry.
"Berun would be here now," he said through clenched teeth, "if not for you. You and your cursed half-orc and his band of murderers."