Shadow War - Deborah Chester [127]
The first man was brawny and built square, with massive shoulders like a bull’s. He was also hairy and coarse, with a thick, brutish face she disliked instantly.
The second man looked competent and well bred, but his face was cold and impassive. She gestured at one of the sergeants.
“Walk him back and forth, please.”
It was as though she were buying a horse, or a slave. There was an insult implied in her request, and the man did not completely succeed in masking his flash of resentment.
Tight-lipped, eyes straight ahead, he strode past her, then came back again and resumed his place in line. He moved well, but he was angry. She did not want a man who detested her standing always at her back.
The third man had curly hair and a square, open face. His eyes twinkled, although he kept his demeanor impassive according to regulations. He was built strong and straight. He might do very well.
The fourth man was still sweating, although the others were beginning to dry out after their exertions. His gaze shifted warily when she stopped to stare at him. He seemed nervous.
The fifth man towered over her, blond, deeply tanned, and blue-eyed. It was Caelan E’non, the slave who had tried to choke her, who had insulted her, who had pleaded with her. His fancy gold slavery chain no longer hung around his neck. Clean-shaven, his face free of soot and dried mud, his hair sleeked back from his face, he looked handsome today ... too handsome.
She glanced away, biting her lip in consternation. She must not permit herself thoughts like that.
Steeling herself, she met his eyes. They were wary but unafraid. A predator’s eyes, she reminded herself, and shivered.
She wanted to ask him how he had changed fortunes so quickly, but she could not without giving away the fact that she had previously met him. That she was not prepared to do. Her questions had to remain unspoken.
She struggled to think of something else. “Sergeant, please have this man walk for me.”
Caelan moved obediently, his long limbs graceful and quick, like a panther’s. If he felt shamed by her examination, he did not show it. He seemed indifferent, as though long ago he had reconciled himself to certain indignities. Or perhaps as a champion gladiator, he was used to being stared at and judged.
His face was lean and chiseled of feature. She found herself studying the straight line of his brows, the slant of his cheekbones, the firmness of his chin. How fair he was, yet how completely masculine.
Again she had to look away, annoyed with herself.
She turned abruptly and walked away from them, then remembered she had Hovet with her.
Flustered, she started over, picking out the three men who had caught her eye and dismissing the two she disliked. “Hovet?” she asked.
With a respectful nod, he moved past her and walked up to the cold, resentful man. Hovet looked old and a little stooped in comparison to these young soldiers, but he was still tough, still a warrior with more experience under his belt than they would ever know.
“Name?” Hovet asked.
The cold man answered, “Thal Brintel.”
“Lord Blintel’s son?”
The man’s eyes flickered with another muted flash of resentment. “A younger son, sir.”
Hovet pursed his lips and moved to the curly-headed man with the twinkling eyes. “Name?”
“Rander Malk,” the man replied. His voice was sunny and assured. He almost smiled as he answered.
“Coastal-born, are you?”
Rander blinked, then did smile. “Aye, I am.”
Hovet grunted and moved to the Traulander. He squinted up at the man. “Name?”
“Caelan E’non.”
It was said evenly, but with a touch of pride. She saw the unconscious lift of his chin, the squaring of his shoulders, the quirk of defiance at the corner of his mouth. He was probably used to hearing cheers every time his name was mentioned.
Elandra sniffed to herself. She would not compete with her protector for attention.
“Traulander?” Hovet barked.
“Yes.”
“What made you leave the games for the service?”
Caelan’s attention focused hard on the man. Warily he replied, “A chance to fight for honor rather than entertainment.