Below the Peak (Sola)(40)
“Quiet when I left in the afternoon. The Muri General had just received news of the ambush a few days before.”
“So, they didn’t know Abasi would strike?” he ventured. A soft nightly breeze teased his fair hair, long strands of hair caressed his cheekbones. His brows creased in contemplation. He and Leena were more than capable of handling a troop of human warriors if trouble arose along the way. However, were trouble smelled, other dark things followed. Dark and nasty things that would be a nuisance to kill if it’s just the two of them. He needed more men.
“Calemir who is the lady you are talking to?” a familiar voice called out.
Calemir turned his head toward the direction of the sound. Finn trudged toward him.
Calemir grinned resolutely. Just the man he needed. He noted how his trusted comrade’s mouth carved into a charming smile as he drew near, ready to lure. Finn’s unworried and relaxed expression garbled his intelligence and efficacy as a battler. Calemir smothered a smirk, only if he knew who he was speaking with. Upon Calemir receiving news concerning the king’s condition, Finn, his friend had volunteered to ride with him to Gwainor’s house. Calemir suspected his friend was tired being stuck on border patrol and lack of contact with the peeress.
Leena shifted closer to him and peered at Finn.
“Forgive me my lady for intruding, but I had to put a face on the beauty that shines like the stars” Finn drawled. Leena hissed. His tall frame managed to hide her from Finn’s view not that Leena was short to say so.
“It is only fair to do so don’t you think prince...” Finn dragged the last words as he stood in front of them, his long dark midnight blue hair plaited in one easy braid, and dressed in an airy tunic, black trousers and boots with a sword hanging on his waist.
“Oh! It is you lady Navari” Finn bit out, the lightness disappearing from his eyes replaced by a glint of nerves and caution.
“It baffles me how much drivel spews from your lips” Leena retorted, a scowl settling on her face.
“Kiss me, and you’ll cure my muddled brain” Finn replied sweetly, taunting her as he placed a hand on the head of his sword. Leena rolled her eyes.
If it was any other ordinary day Calemir would’ve left them banter to their hearts’ content but they had important matters to attend.
“Finn go and round several men. Three will be enough. We are going to Murisa” Calemir cut in and ordered. “And Leena find an urn for the water.”
“Why are we going there?” Finn asked, looking at Calemir then back to Leena.
“Lady Leena will tell you” Calemir replied and quickly started for the palace.
He rushed to his quarters first, where he grabbed a baldric and wore it across his chest and wrapped a cloak over his shoulders before he picked a porch of coins. When he reached his parent's room, he found his mother the way he had left her but with her head pressed lightly on the chest of his sleeping father.
His expression stiffened at sight.
“Mother” he called softly. He watched her raise her head and stared at him tiredly. “Yes son” she replied, tiredly looking him over. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Lady Leena Navari has found the Vár. I leave tonight to fetch the water” he said. Light shone in her eyes at the news. She gave a tired smile.
“Where is it,” Val asked, standing. Calemir chuckled, glad to see her regaining strength upon the good news.
“Vessener, in Murisa” he replied taking a step closer to her. “Cheer up mother, the father will soon be back to your side.” He brushed his lips gently on her forehead and took a step back, looking at her for the last time until he returned. “Wait” she called before he stepped out of the room. She placed her hand on his upper arm and looked up at him with rejuvenated eyes. “Don’t go empty handed. You should carry something that would appease them... for caution.” She let go of his arm and paced about the room, searching for something.
“That’s unnecessary.” Calemir didn’t think it was needed for him to carry a gift to the king of Murisa. If at all, he was certain their presence wouldn’t be noticed as they entered and took what they needed. They would be like shadows.
“My dear boy not all men welcome strangers in their house for free. Especially us.” she carried a squared coloured box on her hands. She motioned for him to take it. Calemir took it in his arms and considered its weight.
“What’s in here?” he asked, shaking the box. He recalled how kings could be greedy and thought perhaps she was right, either way, he would get what he wanted.
“Two or three gemstones I do not like” she replied dismissively. “Hurry off now. I will handle everything here” she said with new determination and hope.
He slipped the ornate box in a gunnysack on his way out. He reached the palace’s courtyard and found Leena and Finn mounted on their horses with three other men behind them. Finn held the reins of his mare. He approached the gang. Calemir tied the bag tightly on the saddle and hoisted himself gracefully on top of the horse. He twisted the reins and commanded the horse to turn then briefly acknowledged the other three men with a tight brief grin. They responded with a salute. Calemir gave the steed a light kick on its side and duel him out of the great walls of the courtyard and into the night.
Chapter Fourteen