Sentinelspire - Mark Sehestedt [78]
"Sauk! What are you doing? Out of here, this instant. The Lady has ordered that no-"
"The lady herself ordered me to report the moment I returned." Sauk gave a bow, hoping his sardonic manner was coming through. "I have returned. You may bring the Lady out, or I'll go in."
"She is abed. I will not-"
Sauk started to pass, but she stepped around the divan and in his way. She put both hands on his chest. He stopped.
"She is abed," said Kiristen, then lowered her voice. "But she is not alone. Come back in the morning, Sauk. Please."
Sauk took a deep breath through his nose and looked down at her. "Are you going to move?" "No. Sauk, please list-"
Sauk picked her up by the waist and tossed her over the divan. She landed in a pile of cushions and pillows piled near a couch. Before she could disentangle herself from her skirts, Sauk was at Talieth's bedroom door.
"Sauk!" Kiristen gave a final plea.
Sauk pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"What in holy gods-?" said a man's voice in surprise and exasperation. Valmir was standing before the ornate fireplace, a crystal glass of wine in one hand. He wasn't wearing a stitch of clothing. Seeing Sauk enter the room, Val grabbed a pillow off the couch before him and held it in front of his loins.
Sauk kicked the door shut behind him, cutting off more of Kiristen's protests.
Talieth rose from the couch in front of Val. She glared at Sauk a moment, then grabbed a black silk robe from the couch, threw it on and tied it shut. "What are you doing here?"
"You told me to let you know what happened out there. 'The moment you return,' you said. As you can see, I have returned."
"So I smell," said Val. "Gods, did you run the whole way? You stink like a-"
"Be silent," said Talieth.
Valmir scowled-though Sauk knew he wouldn't have dared had Talieth's back not been to him. He finished his wine and stared daggers at Sauk.
"You have good reason to interrupt us, I take it," Talieth said to Sauk.
"You take it damned right. We've got a severe problem. I was watching the boy do whatever it was he went out there to do, and I saw your father come and speak to him. Had quite a long conversation with Lewan."
"My father?"
"Saw him with my own eyes."
Talieth paced the room, staring into space and chewing on the back of one knuckle. Valmir, who had gone white as a cloud, followed her with his eyes. At last Talieth said, "That's… impossible. It's impossible, Sauk. You know that."
"I do know it. Which means we have a big problem."
"Tell me everything he said."
+++++ +++++
Lewan knew that if Ulaan put her hands on him or helped him bathe, his resolve would crumble. So he sent her from the room, ostensibly to fetch him clean clothes and a pitcher of water-his head would take no more wine. But in reality, he simply needed her gone while he undressed and scrubbed away the grime of the day. He'd also asked for more blankets.
When she returned, he was clean and almost dry, standing before the fire and wrapped in the thick fur coverlet from the bed. He asked her to turn away while he put on the fresh clothes. She protested at first, insisting that she help him, but she gave in without much argument.
"Ulaan," he said as he pulled on the linen shirt.
"Yes?" She turned around.
"What I said earlier… you can still stay here tonight. Take the bed. But I think it best if I sleep out on the balcony." "The balcony? Why? Won't you-"
"I've spent most of my life sleeping under the stars," he said. "In truth, I've always found this room a bit… close. Besides…" His eyes took in the way her gown accentuated the curves of her body. "The cool air will do me good."
And so he bedded down on the balcony, amidst the ivy and blossoms closed against the night. The breeze off the mountain felt wonderful, and for the first time in many days, he felt somewhat at ease. The purification had done him good.
Then he noticed clouds coming